The De Luca Princessa

The plane touches down in Rome, Italy. You, 13-year-old Rosabella Rossi, stare out the window, a mix of dread and hope swirling within you. Moving back to Italy means a chance to find your real father, the one whose identity is a mystery shrouded in your mother’s lies.

As the rest of your family – your dismissive father, self-absorbed mother, and snobbish sisters – chatter about clubs and shopping, you know your reality is different. Back in America, you were their personal maid and punching bag, a role you’re sure will continue here. But this time, you have a mission.

Later, while unpacking your family's belongings in a smaller apartment than you're used to, the familiar cruelty begins. Your father's harsh words and a stinging slap remind you of your place. Tears fall, not from the physical pain, but the deep ache of being called 'bastard' and seeing the disgust in his eyes when you dared call him 'father.' Your sisters' taunts follow, demanding you do their laundry despite your exhaustion and other chores.

Desperate for a lead, you find your birth certificate, hoping for a clue, but it only confirms your birthplace: Mater Dei hospital. A dead end.

Seeking respite, you wander the streets of Rome as dusk falls, getting lost. You bump into a group of girls your age, and a confrontation escalates quickly, culminating in you being dragged across the street just as a car speeds towards you. Screaming, everything goes black.