Chapter 17

• Olivia remembered the first time she was introduced to the entire Quirino family was after Geremia and Rianna's official wedding. At that time, she had only glimpsed Ignazio, and even then, it was from a distance, much like during Gretta's funeral.
• Olivia continued to flip through the album. Every time, her eyes were drawn to the image of Ignazio full of laughter. His face was so youthful, although he had already started growing a stubble, beard, and mustache, but they were thin. Not like now, thick and even his hair was very long.
• She opened another cover, an elegant black leather album with gold letters on the outside that read Ignazio-Gretta, complete with the date and year of their wedding. Judging from the photos, the celebration was undoubtedly as festive as the one Geremia had organized for Rianna a few years ago.
• Once again, Olivia looked at Ignazio's laughing face, six years younger than the Ignazio she had seen in the penthouse. In the album, she could also see the affection between Rianna and Geremia.
• She didn't know who brought Rianna into the family photo. Even though she was already married to Geremia at that time, their marriage was not known to the public. The ceremony took place in the hospital where Ivana was being treated and was witnessed only by Geremia's father and Geremia's cousin Flavia, who was Meizar and Ignazio's half-sister on their father's side. That's what Olivia had heard from Rianna when she came to Manhattan at the request of her adoptive brother.
• Olivia sat cross-legged with the photo album in her lap. What should she do now? Her affection for Gianna made her eager to bring the little girl closer to her father. However, her lack of knowledge about Ignazio made her hesitant to do so.
• "Have you seen the differences?" Geremia asked when Olivia closed the last album. Olivia nodded. "Considering Ignazio's current condition, do you think he will find it easy to approach Gianna?" Geremia asked again, curious. This time, Olivia shook her head.
• "So, will you help us, Olivia?" Meizar asked, hopeful.
• "But..." Olivia's hands were held by Rayyan and Meizar. They held her hands and squeezed them, their persuasive gazes making Olivia feel awkward.
• "Please..." Both men pleaded simultaneously.
• "What if I fail?" Olivia asked softly and with little confidence.
• "At least you're willing to try," they both answered in unison. Olivia found herself unable to speak.
• Whether it was a coincidence or destiny, once Olivia returned to Antony-Claire's home, she received a phone call from the matron of the orphanage, the woman who had cared for and raised her.
• "Hello," Olivia greeted.
• "Hello, Olivia, are you well?" the elderly woman greeted back.
• "I'm well, ma'am. How about you? Are you feeling well? Has your cough gotten better?"
• "It's okay. I'm just old, so I easily get sick. A little breeze, I catch a cold. Too much sun, I get a headache. I complain a lot," the woman chuckled from afar. "How's your job, going smoothly? I just called Rianna. She said her pregnancy is making her a bit delicate now. She wants to visit me when Doctor Geremia has a day off. Do you want to come too?" she inquired.
• Olivia furrowed her brow. She had just returned from the Quirino residence, and there was no discussion about this earlier.
• "I'll try my best, ma'am. I will come," Olivia replied promptly. They then engaged in a lengthy conversation, discussing the foster children under the care of the matron in Florida.
• Ever since Ivana was discovered to be the missing child of Altezza and Adaline—a well-to-do Italian conglomerate couple who were Antony and Claire's cousins—the lives of the orphanage where Olivia, Ivana, and their other adoptive sister Rianna were raised had significantly improved.
• Especially after Ivana's biological brother—Geremia—married Rianna. The family became even more attentive to the condition of the orphanage and its residents. In the same year Ivana was found, the Quirino family rebuilt the entire orphanage, adding many facilities inside. They also hired additional caregivers to assist Mother Yasmin, who was no longer young. They enrolled the older children in the schools they desired, covering all educational expenses. Moreover, they offered additional bonuses for the high-achieving children, motivating Olivia's younger siblings in the orphanage to work even harder.
• For all of this, Olivia, Rianna, and Mother Yasmin were profoundly grateful to the Quirino family. And this reminded her of Granny Claire's request to her.
• "Ma'am," Olivia whispered, intending to share her situation and seek the woman's advice.
• "Yes, dear?" Mother Yasmin responded.
• Olivia recounted the story of Ignazio, Gianna, Granny Claire's request, and Ignazio's cousins approaching her.
• "I'm confused about what to do, Ma'am," she concluded her sentence.
• "Why are you confused?" Mother Yasmin asked in return. "Just do everything sincerely, with all your heart. You don't have to feel burdened because you feel 'obliged' to bring them closer. You don't have to be puzzled about finding an 'effective' way to approach them. Everything will unfold naturally, Oliv. Time will gradually reveal their true feelings.
• "You just need to bring them together. Be the bridge that connects them. Listen to their grievances and try to convey them in a better way.
• "If Gianna is afraid of her father, don't force her to get closer. Instead, ask Sir Ignazio to give his daughter time and slowly approach the girl.
• "If Sir Ignazio feels afraid to meet his daughter, then give him time to calm down.
• "Sir Ignazio is the key to everything. Gianna is just a little girl. She doesn't know and understand the complexities of adult thoughts.
• "Children's minds are simple, Oliv. They're like a straight line. If a child sees an adult glaring, they might think the adult is angry with them, even though that's not always the case.
• "If adults distance themselves from them, they might think the person hates them, even though that's not always true either. Do you understand what I mean?" Mother Yasmin asked, to which Olivia nodded in response.
• "Remember that all children only want love and affection. They won't understand that their parents work hard for them as well; that's where we, as adults, provide them with the right explanations.
• "You are the person Mrs. Claire considers capable of doing this for Gianna. That's why she entrusted this task to you.
• "If you feel unprepared, it's okay to step back. But if you love Gianna so much, then go ahead and do it."
• Throughout the night after the call was disconnected, Olivia continued to ponder her foster mother's words.
• If her foster mother, the woman who had raised her as her own child, believed that Olivia could do it, then Olivia had no other reason to refuse the request of a grandmother who loved her grandchild so dearly. Isn't that right?