Page 122 of La Dolce Vita

"How?"

"He wasn't trusting. And he was jealous. A different kind of jealous. The kind you should run from." Mirabella sighed. "He investigated my background behind my back. When he confronted me, I almost ended the relationship. But Fabiana and I decided that a little of his crazy was okay if we could launch my company with his money. So I convinced myself, again, that he was a man I should want. That he did it out of love. I knew it was a lie. He wanted to control me. Sometimes, if a person knows the deepest, darkest part of you they can control you. I like my life with Giovanni, the woman he sees in me. But when I was kidnapped I realized that Kei was right."

"Right about what?" the doctor asked.

Mirabella stopped. She glanced to the physician. The wind blew her hair from her face. The resemblance was eerie. "I have to ask. Is it possible you are related to... my friend, Fabiana?"

The doctor smiled. "I look that much like her?"

"It's weird. You even sound like her."

"I've researched her and you. Since her death, there have been many stories on you both. I'm sorry, but we aren't connected, related, not that I know of."

"I wanted to show you something. Look there." Mirabella pointed. The doctor's gaze followed her point. Her children were laughing. Eve was in a small bucket. The twins stood in little tin tubs. They had their pants legs rolled up to their knees. Under Rocco's instruction, they stomped on the grapes.

"Those are my babies," Mirabella said with pride.

"Are they stomping grapes?" the doctor chuckled.

"One of their favorite things to do in the vineyard. They'll be at it until they drop."

"They are so adorable," Sera said.

Mirabella nodded.

"What are their names?" the doctor asked.

"Eve is my baby girl. She's named after Giovanni's mother. The little boy with hair in a ponytail is Gianni, and the other boy with the curly afro is Gino. They were named after their father."

"They're adorable," the doctor said.

"I never thought I wanted to be a mother. Motherhood just happened. Now I feel like my sole purpose on this earth is to raise and care for them."

"Do you plan to have more children?" the doctor asked.

"The doctors say it's not in the cards for me. I had a pretty bad delivery with the twins. But you never know. Maybe." Mirabella turned and faced her. "I wanted to speak to you alone because I have a proposition."

The doctor nodded that she was listening.

"In two or three days I, my husband, and my children will be traveling to visit America. I am taking them to meet my family. I am bringing my sister and her husband."

"Okay," the doctor said.

"I intend to tell Giovanni and my sister everything about my past. Show them where I came from and who I was. And it's going to be difficult. Especially for my husband."

"May I ask why?"

"He wants to defend me, even from my demons. He has to learn to accept that there are dragons he can't slay. And I need to be brave enough to show my family that I'm not perfect."

"How can I help?"

"I want you to come work with my family. Not just me," she said. "As a family doctor."

"They have to want therapy."

"There are so many ghosts waiting for us in Virginia; I think you can be of help when we return. Plus, I have concerns about my sister. I want you to observe her, too."

"Well... I really would like to focus on developing a relationship for therapy with you."

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