She shakes her head.
“If you are here, it appears the message reached you, which gives me hope.”
“Please explain, because quite honestly, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I’m a little stunned and hurt, if I’m honest, because she doesn’t appear troubled that she ran away from me for most of my life. It’s as if she has no thoughts on that, and I feel compelled to say, “Why did you leave me—with him?”
There is accusation in my voice that doesn’t go unnoticed, and she sighs deeply.
“Because I had no choice.”
“Perhaps you should start at the beginning.”
Joseph speaks for the first time, directing her attention to him, and I’m shocked when she laughs softly.
“Joseph Ravera. I was interested when I heard the three Ravera brothers were the chosen ones, although I’m not surprised.”
“Excuse me.”
My head is spinning, and she laughs out loud.
“You really are clueless, darling. I’m not surprised Malik sent you to me.”
My breathing is erratic as I struggle to understand what is happening here, and she leans back, folding her hands on her lap and saying with confidence.
“Don’t be fooled by the act. It’s for a very good reason. It suits me to be considered crazy. A lunatic, if you like. The locked door, the guarded tones and the reverence the nurse shows me have been years in the making. My addiction is survival, not alcohol, and I want to reassure you on that.”
She sighs.
“Life is a cruel bitch who throws many curved balls, and my marriage to Enrico was a knockout one. It didn’t take me long todiscover why he married me—why he married my predecessors and yet, unlike them, I fought back.”
Her sudden smile catches my heart because it reveals a beautiful, confident woman, unlike what I was led to believe.
“When he was otherwise occupied, I investigated. I spent many hours in his den, cracking his codes, rifling through his papers, and scouring his computer. I listened to his furtive calls and formed my plan to escape.”
“What did you discover?”
Curiosity has replaced astonishment, and she leans forward, her eyes bright her expression almost joyous.
“That he owed billions and was using your trust funds as collateral. That he was deep with the Sorcusi mafia and had a contract out on him should he fall behind with the payments. It was a mess, a brutal, hard truth that revealed his desperation. He was in so deep he was struggling for air.”
She sighs. “For all his strengths, he was a weak man. I’m surprised he got as far as he did, the way his greed took over. You were a few months old when I discovered this information, and any rose-colored spectacles I was wearing concerning him were distinctly black by the time I finished. So, I confronted him one day. I told him what I knew and informed him that I was leaving.”
“You were brave.”
I mean that because facing my father when he is in a rage takes some courage, and I should know.
“I was used to a man flying his fists around; your grandfather was no different, and I used the only thing I had to bargain with.”
“Me.”
My heart falls as I slump in the seat, and Joseph reaches out and laces his fingers with mine.
“So, you sacrificed your daughter to save your own skin. That’s not very loving, if I may say so.”
Mom shrugs. “I did what was necessary because of the facts. You see–” She glares at Joseph and sneers, “I learned that the Sorcusi mafia killed Edwina, my predecessor, Rose’s mom, as a warning to Enrico. He was way behind on his payments and struggling, which is why he married me so quickly. For my money. I told him I had lodged evidence with the feds and if anything happened to me the entire shit show would blow up. I assured him I would agree to Tiffany remaining until I was settled and ready to offer her a loving home.”
“But you never came back.”
