Katie

31 Years Earlier...

Mr. and Mrs. Hinkley of Hartford, Connecticut, were a wealthy and respectable American couple residing in a grand old villa. While Mr. Hinkley devoted most of his time to his office, amassing wealth, his wife, Elizabeth Hinkley, busied herself with organizing tea parties for her circle of friends, charitable auctions, golfing, and held the esteemed position of chairperson for the town's cultural foundation. She took great pride in showcasing their exemplary lifestyle to the world. Thus, it came as an immense shock when their only daughter, the alluring blonde, Carolyn, eloped at the tender age of eighteen with an Italian immigrant, leaving behind their opulent estate to embark on a modest life in an American Foursquare dwelling.

In the aftermath of Carolyn's departure, Elizabeth locked herself away in her bedroom for a whole month, cursing her misfortune. However, today, fifteen years after that ill-fated union, both mother and father had finally made peace with the situation – not least because Carolyn and the Italian had blessed them with four marvelous grandchildren.

Each summer, the family, now bearing the despicable surname "de Rossi," paid a visit to the grandparents, spending several enchanting weeks at the splendid estate in Hartford. It was a true wonderland for the children, as the three-story mansion offered boundless space for their games. They reveled in the care of a diligent housemaid, ensuring their rooms were tidied daily, and a skilled cook, ready to cater to their every whim. And when boredom struck them indoors, they'd frolic and explore the captivating garden, and on sunny days, laughter echoed through the air as they splashed joyfully in the refreshing pool.

One fine day, the nine-year-old Katie sat beneath a vibrant maple tree in her grandparents' garden, clutching a thick, weighty book she had stumbled upon in her grandfather's study.

"May I borrow this, please?" she had inquired that morning, and he had smiled fondly, granting her request with a nod. However, as she excitedly rushed to the garden with the massive tome, her grandmother intercepted her.

"What have you got there, my dear?"

"A book," Katie replied cheerfully.

"May I take a look?" her grandmother asked, amused.

Handing it over, Katie watched expectantly as her grandmother laughed. "Why, my dear, it's an Oscar Wilde book. This is far too sophisticated for a little girl!"

"But it says 'Fairy Tales' on the cover," Katie explained. "May I please read it?"

"Well, if you insist," her grandmother said with a shrug, still finding her granddaughter's peculiar request comical.

After a delightful lunch, Katie made herself comfortable under the maple tree, delving into the book's magical world of fairy tales. Meanwhile, her brother Johnny perched five meters away on the roof of the garden arbor, idly strumming his guitar. After ten minutes, he called out to her:

"Hey Katie, listen to this!"

He played a short melody he had just crafted, eagerly awaiting her judgment. But Katie was so engrossed in her enchanting tale of a merry dwarf dancing for a little princess that she didn't even look up.

"It should be higher at the end," she offered her input, her eyes never leaving the captivating words on the pages.

"Like this?" Johnny played the melody once more, this time concluding with a higher note.

"No, higher in a different way."

Determined to meet his sister's discerning standards, he tried again, and this time, Katie nodded in approval.

"And a bit faster in the middle," she mumbled, still absorbed in her reading, causing Johnny to quicken the tempo accordingly.

"Like this?" he inquired again, eager for her judgment.