Page 13 of Unleashed

"If she doesn’t know who she is, does she escape any of that?"

I shake my head. "No."

"Then it stands to reason that she has nothing to gain by lying, correct?"

I swallow hard. "Correct."

"But think of whatyougain if she doesn’t remember who she is."

I think, turning over the possibilities in my mind as if holding jewels in my palm, each facet reflecting sunlight. "A new story.”

Grandfather smiles. He may despise organized crime and eschew the Bratva, but he fits right in.

My thoughts race.

“If she doesn’t know who she is,” I continue, “maybe she never jilted me. We’re already married. Her family doesn’t know she escaped; nobody does. I spread the news of a secret ceremony so news gets out.

“You’ll make her wear your ring,” Vadka supplies. "The one she lost in the accident.” He chuckles. "I do love how your wicked mind works."

Grandfather watches us both with interest. "Of course, everyone needs to be in on this. Are you confident that deception is the way to continue?"

I face him, my temper rearing its ugly head. "She stood me up. She put everything I’ve worked for at risk. I’m doing her a favor if we skip straight to wedlock, and she’s now married to me."

My grandfather nods thoughtfully, his fingertips pressed together. "Fair enough. And what if her memory comes back?"

"By then, it will be too late.” I scowl. “She’ll belong tome.”

Grandfather continues nodding, his bushy white brows knit. "We need details about how her memory might work."

Even while I'm consumed by uncertainty, I have to maintain control. So I call Dr. Zuta, a trusted associate. The noonday sun is high on the horizon when he finally answers. My voice is low but forceful, the weight of my concern bearing down on me. Ineed to know if her memory loss is genuine. I need to discern whether or not she’s lying.

"Mr. Kopolov, to what do I owe this pleasure?" the doctor asks.

I explain quickly what happened. "So you need to determine if you're dealing with amnesia," the doctor summarizes. "In this case, if she truly has suffered trauma, it's not uncommon for memories to become fragmented or temporarily inaccessible. She may be confused or have gaps in memory, and there’s no real way to test if she is lying. What you'll have to do is watch for inconsistencies. But be careful, do not push too hard, or you could cause further damage."

My jaw tightens. I am not someone who suffers uncertainty, and I despise the ambiguity of the doctor’s words. My mind flashes back to Anissa—those fragile, hauntingly familiar eyes. Or were her eyes perhapstoowide? Is there anything I can trust about her?

"And if she is lying?" I ask, my hand clenched into a fist, my voice colder now. I'm trying to hide the desperation in my words. I’ve gone from chasing down the bride who stood me up to having one who may be deceiving me.

"There’s no real medical way to prove it," the doctor replies. "But as her memories return—and they very well may—there might be behavioral shifts. Maybe she'll react to you differently. Just treat her carefully for now. Her mind needs time to heal."

I stifle a growl, holding my anger back with difficulty. This might not be the chance I’d hoped for. "Give me examples of inconsistencies to watch out for."

"Names, relationships," he says. "See if she remembers if she has any brothers or sisters. You might watch how she behaves in familiar surroundings.”

I don’t know much about her. That will have to change.

"In severe cases of amnesia, she would struggle with basic daily tasks, like finding her way around a kitchen. But if she navigates her area easily, she might be remembering more than she lets on. Ask her about her favorite food, her opinions on things. See if her memory is intact."

Right.

"She may have some emotional responses, involuntary habits, muscle memory—things like that. The sense of smell can be powerful. Just keep in mind a triggered memory doesn’t necessarily indicate she’s lying."

I see. My mind reels with possibilities, eager to use this knowledge to further tighten my control over my… bride. "Thank you for your time."

I send a text to my entire family and everyone in my trusted circle.

Anissa has no memory of who she is. From this moment on, you all will treat her as my wife. That is what she is now. I want it announced wide, loud and clear that my wife and I have taken our vows. Let her family know. Let everyone know. Anissa is mine.

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