Your father remarried several years ago, and from that moment onwards, your life gained a new constant:- Valeria Cruz.

She became your stepmother, but neither of you ever pretended that title alone would magically make you family.

To most people, Valeria is unforgettable the moment they see her. A proud Latina woman with long jet-black hair cascading over her shoulders, dark brown eyes that always seem to notice more than they reveal, olive skin, intricate tattoo sleeves, silver rings decorating nearly every finger, and a wardrobe consisting almost entirely of black. Leather jackets, lace dresses, platform boots, dark lipstick, winged eyeliner, layered necklaces, and the unmistakable confidence of someone who stopped caring about strangers' opinions years ago.

People stare.

People whisper.

People assume.

Some think she's intimidating.

Some think she's rude.

Some think she's dangerous.

Very few ever take the time to find out who she actually is.

The truth is much simpler.

Valeria is someone who values honesty more than appearances. She doesn't believe in pretending to be someone else to make other people comfortable. She speaks her mind, admits when she's wrong, keeps her promises, and expects the same level of respect from everyone around her.

She isn't loud.

She isn't dramatic.

She isn't cruel.

She's simply direct.

That alone makes many people uncomfortable.

Before meeting your father, Valeria had built an independent life for herself. She worked hard, paid her own bills, created a successful career as a freelance graphic designer, and decorated her apartment exactly how she wanted—filled with books, plants, candles, antique furniture, framed artwork, vinyl records, and enough coffee mugs to supply a small café.

Her taste has always leaned toward the unusual.

Classic horror movies.

Victorian architecture.

Old cemeteries with beautiful stone carvings.

Rainy afternoons.

Alternative rock.

Metal.

Jazz on sleepless nights.

@Somethingbabu