Chapter 15 When everyone turned against me
Rafael
Marco's words hung in the air like a death sentence.
I stood slowly, my eyes never leaving Flora's terrified face. She looked so much like Eva when she was scared.
"Isabella won't go public," I said calmly. "She knows what that would mean for the family."
"Does she?" Marco stepped closer. "Boss, she's desperate. She thinks you've lost your mind. And honestly, she might be right."
I turned to face him. My hands clenched into fists. "Watch your words, Marco."
"Someone has to say it!" His voice rose. "You've kidnapped a girl. You've burned buildings. You've destroyed lives. And now you're convinced she's your dead wife because of a birthmark?"
"It's not just a birthmark. It's proof."
"Proof of what? That two people can have similar birthmarks? That's not proof, Rafael. That's desperation."
I took a step towards him. "Get out."
"Boss…"
"I said get out!" My voice echoed through the room. "Before I forget you've been loyal to me for twenty years."
Marco stared at me for a long moment. Disappointment filled his eyes. Then he shook his head slowly.
"You're right. I have been loyal for twenty years. I've stood by you through everything. I held you when Eva died. I helped you destroy the families responsible. I've never questioned you. Not once." He paused. "But this? This I can't support. You're destroying yourself. And you're destroying that girl."
"She's not just some girl. She's Eva."
"No, she's not." Marco's voice was firm. "And deep down, you know that. You're just too afraid to admit it."
"Get out."
Marco walked to the door. He paused before leaving. "Isabella isn't your only problem. The other families noticed your behavior. They're wondering if you're still fit to lead."
"Let them wonder."
"Rafael, if you lose control of the family, everything your father built will fall apart. Everything Eva loved about our world will be destroyed. Is this girl worth that?"
"She's Eva. So yes, she's worth everything."
Marco left without another word. The door closed behind him with a soft click.
I turned back to Flora. She was sitting up now, clutching the duvet to her chest. Tears streamed down her face.
"This is madness," she whispered. "Can't you see that? Even your own men think you're insane."
"They don't understand. They didn't see the birthmark."
"Lots of people have birthmarks! That doesn't make me your dead wife!"
"Eva had that exact birthmark. In that exact spot. What are the chances?" I said.
"I don't know! I don't care! It doesn't make me her!" She was screaming now. "My name is Flora Rossi! I've never met you before you kidnapped me!"
"Those are false memories created by your mind."
"They're not false! They're real! I remember my mother's funeral! I remember my father dying three months later! I remember giving up my dreams to survive! Those are my memories! Mine!"
I walked closer to the bed. She flinched back but there was nowhere to go.
"Then explain the birthmark," I said quietly. "Explain how you look exactly like my wife. Explain how you appeared in the same café where Eva and I had our first date. On the same night I decided to visit for the first time in five years. Explain all those coincidences."
"I can't explain them! But that doesn't make me Eva!"
"It makes you something. Fate. Destiny. A miracle. I don't care what you call it. But the universe brought you back to me."
"The universe didn't do anything! You're just a grieving man who can't let go!"
Her words hit something deep inside me. But I couldn't accept that. I wouldn't.
"I'm going to deal with Isabella," I said, changing the subject. "And then we're going to continue where we left off."
"I'm not Eva!" She screamed it so loud her voice cracked. "I'm not her! I'm not her! I'm not her!"
I walked to the door. "The doctor said you need to eat. I'll have food brought up. And make sure you eat this time. I don't want you collapsing again."
"Why do you care if I eat? If I'm just your prisoner?"
I stopped and turned back to look at her. "You're not my prisoner. You're my wife. And I take care of what's mine."
"I'm not yours. I never was. I never will be."
"We'll see." I left the room and locked the door behind me.
Marco was waiting in the hallway. His expression was grim.
"I need you to find out exactly what Isabella knows," I said. "Who she's talked to. What evidence she has. Everything."
"And then what?"
"Then we make sure she stays quiet."
"Boss, she's family. You can't hurt her."
"I won't hurt her. I'll just remind her of the consequences of betrayal."
Marco looked sick. "This is getting out of control."
"No. I'm finally in control. For the first time in five years, I know what I'm doing. Eva came back to me. And I'm not losing her again."
"She's not Eva!"
"She has the birthmark!" I grabbed Marco by his collar. "The exact same birthmark! Explain that!"
"I can't explain it! But that doesn't make her your dead wife!"
I released him and stepped back. My hands were shaking again. "Get me information on Isabella. That's an order."
Marco straightened his collar. "Fine!"
He walked away, leaving me alone in the corridor.
I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. Isabella was becoming a problem. The families were asking questions. Marco was losing faith. Eva or Flora was fighting harder than ever.
Everything was falling apart.
But it didn't matter. None of it mattered.
Because I'd seen the birthmark. The sign from the universe that Eva had returned.
I just needed to make everyone else see it too.
I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in years.
"Hello?" A woman's voice answered.
"It's Rafael Valserro. I need your help."
"Rafael? After all these years? What could you possibly want from me?"
"I need you to verify something important."
"What kind of something?"
I took a deep breath. "I need you to confirm that my wife has returned from the dead."
There was silence on the other end. "Have you lost your mind?!" She yelled.
"Maybe. But I need you to see her. To confirm what I know is true."
"And who is the her?"
"A girl. Twenty-three years old. She looks exactly like Eva. And she has Eva's birthmark."
"Rafael, birthmarks aren't unique. Lots of people have them." She sighed.
"Not like this one. Not in this exact spot. Please. I need someone objective to see this. To confirm I'm not crazy."
The woman sighed. "Fine. I'll come tomorrow. But Rafael? If this is what I think it is, you need help. Professional help."
"Just come. You'll understand when you see her."
I hung up before she could argue.
Tomorrow, Dr. Elena Marchetti would arrive. Eva's former therapist. Someone who knew Eva intimately. Someone who could confirm what I already knew.
That Flora was Eva.