I furrow my brow. “So you don’t remember him from before?”
“What do you mean?”
I pause for a moment, wondering if I should give her any of this information, but knowing I might not have much longer with her, I decide to tell her everything in hopes it will help bring more memories back.
“Ignazio. You were engaged to him in your early twenties.”
“I wasengagedto him? But that…” She drops her head in her hands. “None of this makes sense. I wish I could just remember.”
“Have you spoken to any doctors or therapists who might be able to help you recover your memories? I know there are some specialists in New York.”
“Ignazio has introduced me to a few, but they’ve all said my case is too severe, and expressed concern if my memories came back.”
“What was the concern?”
“That it could cause more harm and damage to my brain.”
“I hate to place this doubt in your head, but I don’t think you should trust the doctors Ignazio brought you to. He wanted to keep your memories locked away.”
My mom closes her eyes and brings her fingers up to the side of her head and rubs it.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m okay, sweetheart. It’s just a migraine.” She lets out a deep breath, then turns her attention back to me. “This is a lot of information to process. I’m going to have to take everything into consideration.”
“Oh, of course. Um, is there anything I can do to help? Do you want me to show you some more pictures of our family?”
A small smile lifts at her lips. “I’d really like that.”
We sit around in the locker room for a while, and I show her photos of our family and the stories that go along with each one. There were several times her expression would change to that of confusion or sadness, but when I would try to stop, she would encourage me to continue.
We’re wrapping up our time together when I have to ask her the question that’s been on my mind since I got here. “So, do you mind if I ask where we go from here?”
I want to tell her she needs to come back to New York with us. That this fake husband of hersstoleher from the life she had. But bombarding her with all this information might push her in the opposite direction. After all, I am a stranger to her.
“I’m unsure, Liana. I… I feel like I need to confront Ignazio about this…”
My eyes widen, knowing the man I’ve learned him to be. Her life would be in danger if she questioned him.
“But I know that would be putting myself in danger. I just don’t know how I’m supposed to go back to him and act as if everything is okay when all the proof I’ve been given is screaming at me, telling me he’s the devil I need to run away from.”
I let out a small breath of relief. She believes me, and she’s starting to see the man this fake husband of hers is. I might actually have a better chance at getting her to come home with me than I thought I would.
“Some people might think I’m crazy putting so much faith in what you’re telling me, but there’s this… connection I feel with you. My mind is telling me this could all be some intricate lie, and how could I be considering leaving the man I’m married to, but my heart is telling me the opposite.”
“I think you need to know that Ignazio could be very dangerous. For all of us, but especially you. He was willing to do whatever he needed to do to keep you, and I’m sure that desperation is still in him.”
She nods. “I know you’re right, I just think I need some time to…think.”
“I understand. This is a lot for you, and I’m happy to help in any way I can.”
She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I know this is a lot for you too, and I appreciate you giving me the time I need to sort through all of this, Liana.”
“Of course. I just… I just want you happy and safe in the end. Please remember that.”
“I know, sweetheart. I’m going to figure this out soon, okay? I’ll reach back out to you if I need anything, but as long asIgnazio knows I haven’t spoken to you again, I think I’ll be fine. After everything I’ve learned, I fear it’s you who is going to have a target on her back. You must lay low.”
“I will. I’ll be here when you make a decision, so please call me, okay?”
