Fired Up

Valeria's POV

The night air was thick with tension, even as Alejandro's car disappeared down the quiet street. My hands were still shaking as I locked the front door, pressing my forehead against the cool wood for a second before turning around.

My mother stood a few feet away, watching me with careful eyes.

—"¿Estás bien, hija?" (Are you okay, daughter?) she asked softly.

I nodded, though I wasn't sure it was true.

—"Sí, mamá. No quiero hablar de eso ahora." (Yes, mamá. I don't want to talk about it right now.)

She sighed but didn't push me. Instead, she gave me a kiss on the forehead before retreating back to the living room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I made my way upstairs to check on Mateo. He was fast asleep, his tiny body curled up under the soft blue blankets, his hand gripping his stuffed race car. Seeing him so peaceful made my heart ache. He had no idea what had just happened outside, no idea that his father had once again tried to push his way into my mind and plant doubts where there should be none.

"Men like him don't stay with women who have kids."

I hated that Alejandro's words got to me. Hated that for even a second, I let them sink in. But as much as I wanted to shake them off, a part of me couldn't.

Was I being naive? Was I letting myself get caught up in something that could never last?

I sighed, pressing a soft kiss to Mateo's forehead before leaving his room and heading to my own.

The moment I sat on my bed, my phone vibrated on the nightstand. I grabbed it, my breath hitching slightly when I saw the name on the screen.

Lewis.

I hesitated, debating whether to ignore it. But something about the timing felt too perfect.

I unlocked my phone.

Lewis: Are you awake?

I chewed my bottom lip, fingers hovering over the screen before I finally replied.

Me: Yes.

His response came immediately.

Lewis: What's wrong?

I swallowed, staring at the message. How did he always know?

I thought about lying, about brushing it off, but I knew Lewis wouldn't let it slide.

Me: Nothing, just a long day.

Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again.

Lewis: Liar. You only text me first when something's wrong.

A small, tired smile tugged at my lips. He wasn't wrong.

Me: It's nothing serious. Alejandro showed up.

I waited. This time, the typing bubbles appeared instantly but stayed for longer.

Lewis: What did he want?

I hesitated before typing.

Me: To remind me that I have a son and that men like you don't stick around for women like me.

I stared at the message the moment I sent it, regretting it immediately. It felt too raw, too honest. What if he thought I was fishing for reassurance? What if I had just pushed him away?

The response didn't come as quickly this time, and I felt my stomach tighten.

Then finally—

Lewis: That's bullshit. And he knows it.

I exhaled, something easing in my chest.

Lewis: I don't know what kind of men he's used to, but I don't run from things that matter.

I blinked at the screen, my heart stuttering.

Me: You have a race to focus on.

Lewis: And I will. But you need to know—I don't care how complicated this gets, Valeria. I'm not going anywhere.

My fingers hovered over the screen, my pulse racing.

No one had ever said that to me before.

No one had ever made me believe it.

I pressed my phone to my chest, closing my eyes. For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to hope.