Chapter 14

EMILIANA

The Baseli house was an hour outside of Rome. I had to get up earlier than usual to avoid the traffic jam on the highway. I was born and raised in Palermo, but when I was ten, my mom was offered her dream job as an economist at a company that specialized in textile exports.

Of course, my dad and I supported her. We weren't the most affectionate family, but we showed our love through actions rather than words. Despite the complicated relationship my dad and I had, it was entirely different with my mom for both of us.

My father literally saw through his wife's eyes, and although he didn't like to show affection in public, I was aware during my childhood of how much he loved both of us.

It was fortunate for me because I was genuinely repellent to displays of affection. I detested excessive cuddling and felt like vomiting every time I heard couples using ridiculous nicknames. When they started with that sappiness, I knew it would last a long time, and it