Suddenly, I felt as if my chest had been ripped open.
Something I had never received.
She gave it to someone else.
Without hesitation.
My father died long ago.
She died in a family purge.
Not even her body was left.
From then on, only she and I remained in the manor.
Later—
Lucia Marchetti fell ill.
For two whole years.
The kind of illness that slowly drains you.
Before she died, she was placed in the most secluded wing of the manor.
The heavy curtains were drawn tightly, not even letting in sunlight.
The air was thick with the smell of medicine and decay.
I stood outside the door.
I heard her say with her last strength—
"Seraphina…I'm entrusting her to you."
My mother didn't hesitate.
She nodded.
Like accepting a responsibility.
Like receiving a replacement.
The next day.
Seraphina moved into my room.
And I was kicked out.
I refused to move.
That was my only space.
I clung to the doorframe, refusing to let go.
Her patience quickly ran out.
"Slap—"
The first slap landed.
Before I could react.
The second one landed.
My face burned with pain.
But I didn't even dare to cry.
She stared at me.
Her eyes held no emotion a mother should have.
Only disgust.
"Valentina," her voice was as cold as a knife, "you dare disobey me now?"
"If you don't behave, I'll throw you out of the manor."
At that moment, I truly believed it.
She could do it.
That night.
I huddled in a corner of the basement.
Damp, cold, and dark.
I covered my mouth, afraid to cry out.
Upstairs, I heard the sounds of guns being disassembled and assembled, and men talking in hushed tones.
The family world continued to function.
But it had nothing to do with me.
The next day, she saw my swollen, red eyes.
She said nothing.
As if she'd seen something insignificant.
From that moment on, I understood.
She truly hated me.
I came to my senses.
I felt a sharp pain in my chest.
Like it was belated.
And final.
Seraphina took a certificate from her pocket.
She smiled, pure and proud.
“Aunt Gianna, look, I got first place.”
My mother took it.
The light in her eyes was gentle yet blinding.
She bent down and kissed her on the cheek.
“My darling, you're so amazing.”
“You're my proudest daughter.”
Seraphina paused.
As if gathering her courage.
“Then… can I call you Mom?”
The air was silent for a moment.
I even instinctively held my breath.
My mother was stunned.
Then.
She smiled.
Her eyes were slightly moist.
“Of course.”
“My daughter.”
At that moment.
Something severed completely in my heart.