50

Valerie widened her eyes in confusion. She looked at Jose for answers and her husband nodded his head. Nod his head! Does that mean what Miguel Alvaro said is true? That she is their daughter? But how could that be? How can?

Manuel seemed to understand how confused and shocked Valerie was. He cleared his throat, trying to re-lead the conversation.

“You remember, don't you, Valerie? I once came up to you and said you reminded me of someone? You actually remind me of Uncle Miguel and Aunt Vera. There are parts of you that make me feel like you are a lot like them. It made me suspicious, especially when Jose expressed his suspicions to me too.”

Valerie looked at the Alvaro husband and wife. The woman named Vera started sobbing again. She looked at Valerie affectionately, but Valerie was still in doubt.

She looked at Jose. “Are you suspicious of me?”

Jose nodded his head. “At first I was not aware, but then James told me, that you are not fit to be Professor Benjamin's daughter. You do no