Pa's raised his eyebrows before bursting into a weak laughter.
"Don't be silly, child. I'm still very strong. Why should I stop working and be a burden for you?"
"You're never a burden. I make more money now; I can take care of you," she begged as tears trickled from her face once more. That was for her mother to say, that she had grown up well and would take care of him, but she never got to say that. She suffered even until the point of death without knowing any of her family.
She hurriedly wiped off her tears, holding on to the old man.
"What if I'm your family? Will you stay with us? You're too old and weak to live all alone now!"
"You don't have to pity me. You have your real siblings to take care of. Matteo and Lisa are just growing; you'll need a lot of money."
"Wait, Pa. Just wait. I'll tell you now."
She clenched the paper in her fist, deep lines forming on her forehead as her eyes, filled with hesitation, darted around.
