charged the f

s and dark sunglasses stood quietly at the door while she got ready. They didn't smile. They didn't spe

th thin straps, simple sandals, a pair of sunglasses, and a scarf.

of the hospital buildi

ameras crowded the entrance. Flashes went off from every ang

through the sunglasses, and her ears were buzzing from the noise. Panic started to rise in her ches

he got in without looking back. Her mother slid in

k against the seat, feeling dazed. The windows were tinted, but she could s

her posture calm and collected as if nothing unusual had ha

atrick Mancini. Fiancée of Stefano Bellucci. Those names mean a lot in C

again, watching the city blur

, especially with your memory l

k I want to ge

used to love the attention. You were th

ent before asking, "What ex

. "Your father is a politician. He

nd

ted my life to raising you

lowly. "Do I ha

No, you don't. You're our onl

one visited me in the hospital. Aside from you and

er mother said carefully.

ey ask a

ey d

idn't any of

t been awake

urs," Elisa pointed out. "Anyone

they'r

isit someone wh

he way you think. There are no real friends. Just people in the same

the point? Why call them fr

with. People who appear with yo

at her hands. She hated the silence. Then

bout my

her a side glance

er came

very bu

rrying in three days?" Elisa ask

asons." Her mother repli

her now, hoping to find softness there. Maybe she could reason with her. "Please, c

ng pause. Her mother's expression didn't change, but

e said finally. "You just do

d. "This man is practically a stranger to me. I don't know

photos, videos, anything you need. I'll gather all

ing one more time. She so

on Elisa had expected. Her mother's face froze for a sec

orry," Elisa

prefer to be called 'Mother.' That's what you've alw

ed hard. Her c

en a little, he would've visited. I've been in a coma for two weeks

s no need for him to come himself. Like I s

robably to argue again bu

e is no need for all these protests. It has already be

having a mother-daughter bonding wit

a clear indication of her wish to not continue the topic. She