~Valeria~
"Your father is dead, Valeria. Has been for years. Whatever child like fantasies you've built up about him in your head, whatever fairy tales your mother might have told you, the reality is that he left and never came back."
"But the documents..."
"Are none of your business." His voice was sharp now, all pretense of patience gone. "Whatever you think you saw, whatever conclusions you're jumping to, I'm telling you to stop. Right now."
"Why? What are you so afraid I'll find out?"
"I'm not afraid of anything, child. I'm trying to protect you from disappointment. From chasing ghosts that will only bring you pain."
"That's not your choice to make."
"Isn't it?" He leaned against his desk, crossing his arms. "You're living in my house, eating my food, attending school on my dime
