“Have you talked to her?”
I hum. “Yesterday, for a few minutes. She was doing something and seemed very happy.” I smile. “So I didn’t disturb her for long.”
“And what about Leo? Have you talked to him too?”
I nod. “He’s also fine.”
He opens his mouth to speak, but the sound of my phone ringing cuts him off. I get up from the couch and walk to his desk, where I left my phone when I entered his office. He was sitting in his chair earlier, but we moved to the couch afterward.I don’t usually come to his office, but today I was feeling too out of sorts.
The call ends before I reach it, then rings again. I see May’s name on the screen and pick up. Frowning, I answer the video call.
May’s face fills the screen.
“Is everything alright?” I ask before she can speak.
She doesn’t look good, her face is filled with worry.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, madam, but it’s urgent. Miss isn’t okay.”
My breath quickens. “What happened to her?” I ask anxiously.
Alessio comes to my side, wraps an arm around my shoulders, and takes the phone.
“Hello, sir,” May greets him.
“Hello, May. What’s the problem?” he asks, guiding me back to the couch.
“Let me show you,” she says, then turns her phone’s camera around.
Wen is there, playing with her dogs, blowing big bubbles from a small tube that they’re trying to catch. She’s laughing and jumping around them.
“She’s perfectly fine,” Alessio says.
“It all looks fine from a distance,” May says, moving closer to Wen.
She turns the camera back around and hands the phone to Wen. I gasp when I see her face up close. Her eyes are sunken, dark circles stretching down to her cheeks, she looks like she hasn’t slept in a month. Her gaze flickers in and out of focus within seconds. She’s grinning, but the smile looks unnatural. Her skin is dry like a leaf, her entire complexion drained. There’s no color left in her.
She waves like a happy child. “Hey, Dad. You look handsome.”
She blows bubbles at the screen, giggling. “Come play with me. It’s so much fun.”
My chin trembles. Tears spill down my cheeks. I cover my mouth to hold back the sobs. Alessio rubs my arm, his jaw clenched.
“How are you, Princess?” he asks, lovingly.
“I’m good. Do you want to see the new dresses I bought yesterday?”
“Later.”
“Okay. See you soon, Dad. I’m busy right now.” She thrusts the phone back into May’s hand and runs off.
May turns the phone back to herself.
“What the hell is this?” Alessio snaps.
“I don’t know, sir. She’s either like this or she won’t speak at all.”
“How long has this been going on?”
