Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
“What is it?” I hate when people take a long time to get to the point.
“They’re looking for their missing sister, Rafail. Her name is Polina.”
Chapter 18
“ANISSA”
It’s not uncommon for Rafail to look angry, but right now, he looks murderous. I’m half drowsy after what he put me through, but as he talks to his brother, I look down at the phone Rafail finally gave me. Yana had a question about tonight, and it’s best I stay out of whatever has caused that look on his face today. I’m halfway through replying to her when Rafail’s voice cuts me off mid-thought.
“Polina? That sounds familiar, but I don’t know why. I hardly know them.”
My phone drops into my lap. I stare at him. Polina. The name from my dream. I’ve heard it more than once now, and it still rings with a familiarity that makes my heart ache.
Polina.
A memory comes to me so suddenly I’m breathless. I’m standing in a room that’s familiar to me because I’ve seen it in my dreams. A living room? The gray-haired woman looks with concern, and a man—Mikhail. His name is Mikhail.
I blink. I know his name. And not just his name. He’s my brother. Mikhail. Aleksandr. They are my brothers.
I close my eyes. Remembering.
He’s telling me to flee, that I’m in grave danger. And my mother promises that we’ll be safe if we go to Moscow.
Moscow. I’m near Moscow now.
What happened?
“Polina?” I whisper, staring at Rafail. “The name from my dream.” I sit up. I push away from him.
Rafail’s look grows cloudy, his gaze concerned. “You may have met her at one point? Maybe you knew her. She’s the Romanov sister.”
Romanov.
“Romanov?” I whisper. “That’s my name, Rafail.”
I stare at Rafail. I feel as if I’d know if he was lying, but there’s nothing but earnest sincerity in his gaze. Shaking his head, he snakes his arm around my back. “It isn’t, love. You were never a Romanov. I know that for a fact. Your name is Anissa Kopolov now. Everything I’ve told you is true.”
But that’s when he looks away.
Everything I’ve told you is true.
Something in my mind begins to stir. Questioning. I feel confused and uneasy as flashes of memory start to surface that don’t align with what I’ve been told. I can hear snatches of conversation, see visions of places that feel familiar, see faces of men and women that I know are… family.
I shake my head and close my eyes, trying to make sense of it all. He isn’t lying, and yet… he’s totally lying.
Could it be that he doesn’t know the truth?
Or has he completely hoodwinked me?
I’m still half-drunk with pleasure, so the thought of him actually lying to me sounds atrocious. I hate the idea of my trust in him… wavering.
And yet…
I feel safe with him. I even began to think that despite my lack of memory, I could build a future with him. I love his sisters and brothers, and I feel like I belong here.
But… something isn’t right.
“What is it?” he asks, his brows furrowed in concern.
“I just… well. I’m afraid that… my memories are coming back, and they’re confusing me.”
His scowl doesn’t alleviate my concerns.
What is he hiding?
Why does this name trigger so much familiarity for me?
We pull up to the stores, and Rafail leans in and kisses my cheek. “I’m sorry for the confusion, my love. Remember, the doctor said that you could have false memories too. Give it time. Let it go for now, and just let things surface as they should.”
False memories.
No… no, these aren’t false memories. I can see the garden outside the home I grew up in. I can see a huge, muscular man with a big smile on his face. His name was… Viktor. He was my brother. When I was little, he’d walk around with me on his shoulders because he was big, even as a child.
He's my brother too. I had lots of brothers. Did I have sisters? I don’t know if I remember sisters, but I know some of my brothers were… married. Yes. Like me.
Why don’t I remember my wedding day?
I close my eyes and try to relax my brain.
Please, just let me remember. Please.
I paint a picture in my mind, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t remember.
“Anissa,” Rafail says gently. “Let’s go. You’re going to hurt yourself if you push too hard, baby. Don’t. It’ll be okay, I promise.” He pulls me to him and holds me tight, his big arms wrapped around me as he kisses my forehead. “It’ll be fine, Anissa. You’ll see.” He kisses my cheek again. “I love you.” His voice drops. “We all do.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. Because up until ten minutes ago, I would’ve thought I felt the same.
Chapter 19
RAFAIL
Polina Romanova.
I watch my wife retreat.