"You look…" Carol paused, tilting her head slightly, "…exactly the same."
Nonnina scoffed. "Liar."
"Okay older but the same."
Nonnina rolled her eyes, but the smile didn't leave her face.
"It's good to see you, Nonnina," Carol said.
Nonnina nodded, swallowing past the lump in her throat. "You too."
Carol's eyes moved past Nonnina… and landed on Valentina. Valentina stood there, trying her best to appear composed. Carol's eyes swept over her face, her posture… and then dropped to her stomach.
One brow lifted—just barely.
"Ma…" Marco's voice cut in. He stepped slightly closer, gesturing toward Valentina. "This is Valentina Scalese."
"Its nice to meet you, uh…Mama Luca? I—I don't know what to call you…" Valentina said, slightly tangled with nerves. She shifted her weight unconsciously. Under normal circumstances, she handled people well. Conversations, charm, even difficult personalities—she could manage. But this woman?
