Page 45 of My Merciless Don

We finally arrived at the assisted living facility at Long Beach. I could see Audry reading the sign, trepidation apparent on her face. As I opened the door for her, and she stepped out of the car, I took hold of her elbow and led her to the door. She was looking around as if waiting to be attacked at any moment, her whole demeanor stiff and alert.

“Why are we here?” She whispered.

I smirked. “Don't tell me you're afraid of old people?”

She took a moment to aim a glare my way. “Not funny Marco.”

“Just hush, let me talk, and follow my lead. Do not make any sudden moves.” I grinned as I said the last thing teasing her gently. She wasn't amused and narrowed her eyes at me to show it. Meanwhile I had decided to stop asking myself questions I couldn't answer and just enjoy the moment for what it was.

The nurse at the reception recognized me and smiled in welcome. “Mr. Cassio, glad to see you back. Sophia will be so happy to see you again.”

I cleared my throat, “Yeah, me too. Can we see her now?”

Nurse Hernandez beamed, “You came at the right time. She just woke up from her nap. Follow me.”

I glanced at Audry, who was still wide eyed and questioning. Taking her by the elbow I whispered in her ear. “Behave.”

We walked down the hall to Sophia’s room, Nurse Hernandez leading the way. I watched Audry as we walked, appreciating that she was following my lead, leaning into me a little and letting me propel her along. I put my hand in the small of her back as nurse Hernandez opened the door to Sophie’s room. She was sitting by the window in the rocking chair, and she turned to face us.

I was expecting a squint, some curiosity mixed with a lack of recognition. That's what I usually got. Instead, her face lit up. “Amy, Marco you've come to visit? Is the honeymoon over already? Come and tell me all about the Maldives.” She gestured for us to come closer, but I was frozen where I stood.

I blinked a few times at a loss for words. Now what?

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

AUDRY

I'm a con artist. Pretending to be something I am not is my job. So, when I saw that Marco had frozen up, I stepped forward and took over.

“Hello M-Mom,” I splattered a bit, laughing nervously, “The Maldives were great. You have to come with us next time.”

Sophia giggled. “Come with you? No, I wouldn't want to get in the middle of you two love birds.” She looked from me to Marco with affection. Her eyes soft and fond. It actually hurt to see her so open and loving.

Amy had been one lucky girl.

Marco took the two steps that brought him up to her chair and took her hand. “Hi. It's good to see you looking so sharp.”

She beamed at him. “Oh, you say the nicest things. Amy darling, I hope you're taking good care of your husband. He's a good one.”

I swallowed painfully before pinning the brightest smile on my face. “Of course, I am.” I patted him on the back. “Wouldn't want to lose this one.”

He narrowed his eyes at me over her head. Maybe I was laying it on a bit thick. But it wasn't as if he could do anything about it. I smiled sweetly at him, leaned in and kissed his nose. He scrunched it up adorably, glaring at me the whole time. “Oh darling, stop.” He said through gritted teeth.

This was turning out to be quite fun.

I looked down at Sophia and saw that she had ceased to pay attention to us. I didn't need a diagnosis to know that she wasn't all there. I bent down, so that I could meet her eyes, and took her hands in mine to focus her attention.

“Sophia, are you okay?” I asked softly.

I saw her eyes focus on me. I knew she was really seeing me, though she didn't answer my question.

“Did you ever have another daughter, Sophia? Did Amy have a sister?” I asked.

She just continued looking me in the eye, though I wasn't sure that she understood me. Then she looked down at our clasped hands, before withdrawing her hand from mine.

My heart sank.

But then she picked up my left hand and began to examine it closely. A frown marred her brow. I wanted to ask what the matter was, but I was afraid of ruining her train of thought.

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