Valentina

"What might have been going through her mind? Did she think no one would catch on? It happened in broad daylight, after all. If her aim was to go unnoticed, arriving by the side of the restaurant was an odd choice.

"Which brings me to the question: Who was that?"

“Just a friend.”

“Come on, Mom, be honest. Your expression tells a different story.”

“How do I express this without causing more hurt?” she inquiries.

“My feelings can't be more hurt than they already are.”

"It's your father, Fabio Matteo."

"Are you now romantically involved with him?" I ask, disbelief evident in my voice.

"What? No! You think so little of me."

"I’m sorry, and he's not my father. He explicitly stated that. What does he want now? Mother?” I inquire, detecting her hesitation.

“He wants you.”

I halt in my tracks, bursting into uncontrollable laughter.

“He's dying and wishes to see you.”

"Doctors and artists share no common ground. Also, unless the angels whispered some new revelations to him about our connection