Her words hung in the air like smoke. She glanced again at Rebecca, blinking quickly, as if trying to steady her spinning mind.
"It feels like we've… seen each other before," she added, her brows furrowing. "Like… how is that even possible?"
Rebecca said nothing.
Valentina turned quickly toward Cecilia, her voice cracking slightly. "Mother… have we met before? I mean—really met? Have I seen you somewhere? You… Rebecca… even me… I don't understand."
Cecilia's expression remained calm, but her eyes narrowed slightly, as if measuring every word, every breath Valentina took.
Valentina looked between the two women now, more frantic. "Why does it feel like this isn't the first time? Why do I feel like I've walked this hall? Like I've heard these voices? Like I've known these faces?"
Her breathing grew unsteady, her voice rising just a little. "This doesn't feel like the first time. It doesn't."
