Chapter 49 My Nightmare

"You don't need to put aside your work just for me," I said, trying to sound as grown-up as possible. "I mean, I'm not a child. Just tell me where the mall is, and I can go shopping by myself."

"No, Sisi, it's not you who needs company, it's me who needs your company," my mother replied, her hands cradling my face. Her blue eyes, clear as the ocean, gazed into mine—eyes I had inherited from her. "Thank you for coming, my child. I haven't had a day off in a month with all the preparations for Val's engagement party."

I knew she was just trying to comfort me, not wanting to burden me. I appreciated her for that, and happily accepted her invitation. "Wake me up tomorrow, please. I want to make breakfast with you."

It was late when Valentina got back from the hospital. I was sitting on the couch watching the news. The incident at the park seemed to be concluding, with only a brief three-minute segment in the evening news compared to the morning's extensive coverage.

I couldn't find any mention of Antonio or the mercenaries in that short segment, and I suspected someone was deliberately downplaying their role in the chaos. Was it the power behind Antonio doing this? He must be alright; he's a tough guy, after all.

Just then, Valentina returned. She wore a simple lace blouse with bell sleeves and a black pleated skirt embroidered with golden lilies, mid-calf length. Her round-toed black leather shoes clicked against the floor as she walked. Her long hair, braided into a plait, swung as she moved.

"Big sis!" Caesar, wagging his pink tongue, excitedly rubbed against her ankles. She gently nudged the obstructing Caesar aside with her foot, bouncing over to me, "Sisi?"

When our parents divorced, Valentina was only four. Now at twenty, she was no longer the chubby, adorable toddler but just as lively and beautiful as I had imagined. A truly pretty girl.

"Val!" I stood up, excited, wanting to touch her face, to hug her, but hesitated, afraid to startle her, "Is it okay if I call you that?"

"Of course." Valentina hugged me first. Her voice was as melodious as a songbird's, "My sister, Sisi."

We hugged tightly, filling my heart to the brim. It took us two minutes before we finally let go. Mom came downstairs, wearing a silk pajama set with a knitted cardigan draped over it.

"How is Tony?" Mom asked with affection.

Tony? That must be Valentina's fiancé.

"The doctors have treated him; it won't affect the engagement party," Valentina whispered apologetically, leaning on me, "Sorry I couldn't make it back for dinner. I didn't mean to be rude on our first meeting."

"It's okay, health comes first," I reassured her, while Mom nodded in agreement, "Did the Luciano family get the message?"

"Tony's cousin came with him from Philadelphia; he's taking care of him in the hospital. Sisi, I'm really hungry. Can we make something to eat?"

Mom glared playfully at Valentina, "Your sister just got home."

"It's okay." I patted Valentina's braid affectionately, asking softly, "The chef left some Italian meat sauce, how about I make some pasta for you?"

Valentina happily agreed.

I headed to the kitchen under Mom's directions and started preparing the pasta. Valentina propped her head with her hands, waiting at the bar counter until the pasta was ready. Mom had disappeared from the living room.

"Probably went to bed," Valentina commented as she tossed the pasta, "This smells wonderful; you're a great cook."

I couldn't accept her praise, "It's the chef's sauce that's good."

I walked into the living room, hesitating whether to ask Mom if she wanted some pasta. As I passed the glass doors of the living room, I saw something shimmering in the courtyard. I tiptoed closer; the door wasn't completely shut, and faint voices could be heard through the gap. I listened carefully, recognizing Mom's voice.

It was 11:30 PM. Was Mom still working?

I had no intention of eavesdropping, but as I turned to leave, I thought I heard a familiar name—Antonio. Had I heard wrong?

I stood in the shadow beside the glass door, holding my breath, trying to catch more of Mom's words, but only caught snippets of "deal," "port," "West Coast," "Moreno"... It seemed Antonio was just my imagination.

Probably just my mishearing, I thought, unsettled asI returned to the kitchen. Valentina had quickly finished her meal, and I cleaned up the dishes before looking back out to the courtyard through the now-closed glass door. No one was there.

I turned off the living room lights and headed to my room to prepare for bed. The bathroom in my mother's house was luxurious, complete with an Italian-imported bathtub with massage features. A hot bath would have been perfect to relax, but my injuries prevented any contact with water. Instead, I settled for a simple wipe-down with a hot towel.

The pajamas Mom had prepared for me were a silk set, long-sleeved and pant, ideal for covering the wounds on my arms and legs. As I lay down, ready to sleep, there was a knock at the door. "Sisi."

After I called out, "Come in," Valentina entered, dressed in a cute pink teddy bear pajama set, with Caesar circling at her feet. "Can I sleep with you?"

"Of course," I patted the bed beside me.

Valentina happily closed the door and laid down. "Good night, Sisi."

I adjusted the blanket for her. "Good night, Valentina."

Caesar settled at the foot of the bed, barking softly at us. We both chuckled, "Good night, Caesar."

But sleep eluded us.

I heard Valentina turn beside me; she lay facing me, her warm breath on my neck. "I'm so glad to have you, Sisi. I'm not alone anymore."

My stomach tightened. "Has someone been bullying you, Val?"

She didn't speak but wrapped her arm around my neck and whispered, "No, I just missed you a lot."

I felt tears well up as I patted her back, "Me too." We had been apart for many years, yet our bond as siblings had only grown stronger.

Valentina, likely exhausted from her hospital duties, soon fell asleep. However, I lay awake, thinking about the conversation I had with Mom after dinner. She spoke of the Davis family, one of Philadelphia's old families, with many siblings and cousins, including Valentina and me, all vying for a piece of the family fortune.

I suspected the fierce internal competition among the Davis family members. Valentina was just a delicate girl caught in a brutal struggle for inheritance. Fortunately, her fiancé was reputed to be a formidable figure. Though their marriage was arranged, they had known each other since childhood and shared a genuine affection.

Antonio and his fiancée were both involved in the mafia, which likely made their relationship complex yet strong.

These family matters seemed distant to me; despite the wealth on my mother's side, I preferred the simple, ordinary life in Boston and planned to return there.

Eventually, I drifted into a fitful sleep.

I was awakened by Valentina nudging me. She led me to an engagement party where a three-foot-tall cake stood at the center of the hall, surrounded by strangers holding champagne and making polite conversation.

Mom, in a gown tailored by a personal designer, ascended a podium and took a microphone from a bodyguard. "Today, I am pleased to announce here that Mr. Luciano will be engaged to my daughter, Valentina Davis..."

At that moment, amid the quiet crowd, chaos erupted. Gunshots rang out, echoing over the hall. My father stormed the stage, loudly disclosing my dealings with Antonio, hurling insults that painted me as deceitful and vile. The guests murmured and pointed at me.

"Where will you run now, my mistress?!" I turned in shock as Antonio, his presence stifling my breath, aimed a heated gun not at me, but at my mother.

"Bang!"