Chapter 12

VALENTINA My gaze froze on my father. It was extremely strange. In my life, I have never heard him talk that way, except to Mama. Papa had been obsessed with Mama since forever. They both were, actually, and that is why Mama's unfortunate death broke him inwardly, and things got messy. But what is happening now? He sounded like an AI—no trace of emotion in his tone as if he were chanting those words. It felt rather peculiar. I hadn't acted impulsively, instead, I carefully observed Papa, noticing something quite unusual. His eyes looked lifeless as if he were in a daze. He stared straight at me, but it wasn't me he was looking at, but at something unknown, as though he couldn't see me at all. “Yes, Carmella is charming. She is so beautiful. She is the best woman I have ever met.” Uncle Sam’s agreement with Papa startled me once more. As my eyes shot up at him, I noticed the same look in his eyes as Papa’s. Puzzled, I walked toward the desk slowly and cautiously. "Papa? Uncle?" I tried