Page 26 of Vita Mia

“That’s not true. When we learned of who we were, my sister and I, the people responsible were already dead.”

“Wait, no, sorry,” Ryder checked his notes. “It said your sister’s husband Lorenzo Battaglia killed her American father who was an abuser.”

“That’s not true. That is the reason why after all these years I want to tell the world my story. Because everyone has lied and exaggerated about my family.”

“One more question about your sister. She is the mother of the singer Lola. Lola is nominated for a Grammy this year. So many news agencies are trying to interview her and she refuses.”

“Lola is my niece. Yes,” Mirabella said.

“The thing the press keeps bringing up is the trial. The accusations your sister said against your family. How it all exploded when her husband returned. How did your family survive the scandal?”

“We’re family. We’re always going to be family. That’s how we survive. I will tell you that story and everything else that happened during that time.”

“Where have you been all these years?” Ryder asked.

“I haven’t been hiding,” Mirabella said. “I prefer my privacy over public life. When my oldest daughter was sixteen she stepped up to become one of the youngest fashion designers in the world. I let her be the face of my company and helped develop her talent. I was always there, supporting my family. I owed nothing to anyone else.”

“Ah, yet you want to speak today. To tell the world your truth? Why now? Is it because of Lola?”

Mirabella glanced to her youngest daughter before responding. “Not exactly. This is for my children. They feel they need to protect me. All I’ve ever wanted to do was to protect them. I can handle the rumors and lies, but when you lie on my children, blame them for crimes they never committed, call them Mafia kids and slander their accomplishments, it has to stop.”

“Because your son Gino wants to run for office in Italy. He’s garnering support.”

“Because I’m a mother. And all mother’s protect their cubs.”

Ryder paused. He checked his notes. He then looked up and asked his next question. “The world knows you as two women. Mirabella Ellison the renowned fashion designer, and Donna Mirabella, the widow of Don Giovanni Battaglia. Who is before me now?”

“I’m one person. The wife of Don Giovanni and mother of his children.”

“Should we start with his death? That’s where a lot of the information gets confusing and exaggerated.”

Mirabella smiled. “No. I think if I tell his story I need to tell it from where life changed for me and Giovanni.”

“And when was that?”

“Lucciola, my baby-girl, Eve. It was the fire, that tore our lives apart. It was the year of the babies,” she smiled at MiaBella. “Everything changed in 1995. Forever.”

“The year of the babies?” Ryder asked curiously. “Let’s start at the fire. Tell me. What happened in your home in Sorrento, I believe the media called it Melanzana?”

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