I have a daughter?
1484 Words
After the doctor's examination, Alexander gently helped Mariya out of the hospital bed and into a wheelchair.
She was not yet strong enough to stand. The lady in red dress who was claiming to be her sister, Anna walked closely by her side, holding her hand.
Mariya was surprised how she felt no sense of connection to these people despite the convincing stories they told her.
She felt completely out of place.
"The doctor said you're stable enough to go home and recover there," Alexander said softly.
"I've arranged for a private car to take us home." He said and kissed her forehead.
Mariya nodded weakly, still feeling disoriented and overwhelmed by everything that was happening.
As they left the hospital ground, Mariya could not help but gaze out the car window in awe at the magnificent homes and sprawling estates that lined the streets.
This was obviously the neighborhood of the top 1% in the society.
Judging from the quality of house and the environment. Mariya was not sure if she had seen anything like this before.
She was in complete awe. If only she could remember a little bit. Just a tiny bit.
But her mind was just blank.
"This is our neighbourhood," Anna explained.
"You and Alexander live in one of the most exclusive areas of the city."
“While I live seven blocks away, don't hesitate to call me if you need me” she said stretching her neck from the front seat to look at Mariya and Alexander at the back seat.
Soon, the car pulled up to an enormous mansion, easily the largest in the neighbourhood and most grandiose house Mariya had ever seen.
Marble columns framed the entryway, and a sweeping driveway led up to the front door.
"Welcome home, my love," Alexander said, helping Mariya out of the car.
He kept a gentle, supporting hand on the small of her back as they walked up to the door.
As they stepped inside, Mariya's eyes widened at the interior of the building.
There was a Towering ceilings, a gleaming hardwood floors, and ornate chandeliers. Just one glance at the house will tell that Alexander was definitely swimming in money.
Old money.
"This is our home," Alexander said, gesturing around.
"You've lived here with me and our daughter for the past five years."
“Five years?” Mariya asked surprised.
“How old i gotta be, to be married for five years?” She thought in her heart.
“Wait”
“A daughter?”
Mariya thought, her heart racing.
She had a child? The reality of her situation was just sinking in, this man was her husband, and she had a whole life that she could not remember.
Just then, a pitter-patter of tiny footsteps came running down the grand staircase.
A little girl, no more than four years old, came running towards them, her chestnut curls bouncing.
She has the most piercing blue eyes Mariya had ever seen and most definitely, she got her looks from Alexander.
She was so adorable and cute.
"Mommy!" the little girl cried, flinging herself into Mariya's arms.
Mariya froze, unsure of how to react.
The child's bright, joyful eyes looked up at her expectantly.
Alexander chuckled and scooped the girl up, settling her on his hip.
"Audrey, my darling, remember what I told you? Mommy has a boo-boo on her head and can't remember things for now. But she still loves you very much."
Audrey's face fell into a concerned frown.
"Mommy's sick?" she asked, her lower lip quivering.
"Not sick, sweetheart," Anna said, stroking Audrey's hair.
"Mommy just needs a little time to get her memories back. But we're all here to help her, okay?"
Mariya could also see the striking resemblance between Anna and Audrey. You could easily mistake Anna to be her mother.
The hair, the nose, the heart shaped plumped lips.
“They are both just stunning!”
Audrey nodded solemnly, then reached out her tiny arms to Mariya.
"I'll help Mommy remember!" she declared naively.
Mariya felt her heart melt at the child's innocence. She tentatively took Audrey into her arms, marvelling at how perfectly the girl seemed to fit there.
A surge of maternal instinct washed over her, and she found herself tenderly brushing a stray curl from Audrey's face.
"Hello, Audrey," she said softly.
"It's nice to meet you."
Audrey beamed up at her, all traces of worry gone from her face.
"I'm so happy you're home, Mommy!" she chirped, snuggling closer.
Alexander watched the interaction with a satisfied smile.
"Come, let me give you both a tour of our home," he said, gesturing for them to follow.
Ofcourse, Mariya knew nothing about how the house works, she could barely find the front door, she most definitely needed this tour.
The kitchen was the size of an entire apartment, with top-of-the-line appliances and gleaming marble countertops and a line of six chefs smiling sheepishly and echoing a warm welcome to their boss wife.
“Welcome madam Carissa, it's nice to have you back” they echoed.
Mariya shot them a very nice approving smile, while was absolutely strange. Madam Carissa will never smile at anyone, not even a common chef.
The house servants wondered if the accident was the reason for Madam's strange meekness, she used to be very aggressive and vile towards everyone including Alexander.
What happened to her?
Infact, that was the first time they had seen her carrying Audrey in her arms since Audrey was born.
The living room featured plush, designer furniture and a towering fireplace.
And Audrey's playroom was a veritable wonderland, filled with toys and games that Mariya couldn't even begin to fathom.
She could not even recognize any single thing in the house. They all seemed strange and new to her.
"This is all...ours?" she asked in disbelief, her fingers tracing the intricate moulding on the walls.
“I never knew we were this Rich. I wish I could remember anything” she said, with tiny streaks of tears building up in her eyes.
Alexander nodded, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders.
“What do you need those memories for?”
“We can always make new ones” Alexander responded.
"Everything you see here is yours, Carissa. Your family's legacy."
Mariya's brow furrowed.
"Carissa?" she asked.
“Oh you said my name was Carissa right?”
“Carissa who please?” She asked.
“Carissa Martini”
“You are quite popular you know?” Alexander replied.
“Am I?”
“And i********: model married to a billionaire, why won't you be?” Alexander laughed hysterically.
Mariya nodded, trying to take in every detail at a glance. Though a small part of her still felt uncertain.
Audrey tugged on her hand, eager to show her the backyard, and Mariya allowed herself to be pulled along, grateful for the distraction.
The backyard was even more breathtaking than the interior of the house.
An expansive, manicured lawn gave way to a large sprawling and sparkling swimming pool.
Beyond that, Mariya could see rows of lush, towering trees bordering the property.
"We have our own private forest!" Audrey exclaimed, bouncing up and down.
"Daddy says I can explore it, but only with you or the guards around" she sang.
Mariya felt a pang of guilt that she couldn't fully share in Audrey's excitement.
This was all supposed to be so familiar to her, yet it might as well have been a foreign land. She turned to Alexander, a plea in her eyes.
"I'm afraid I don't remember any of this," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Any of it. I'm so sorry, I-"
Alexander cut her off, pulling her into a gentle embrace.
"Shhh, my love, it's alright," he murmured soothingly.
"The doctor said this might happen. We'll take it one day at a time, I promise."
“I have already employed someone to take care of you, just take your medications religiously.” He assured.
Mariya nodded against his chest, letting his steady heartbeat and soothing words calm her racing thoughts.
When she finally pulled back, she was met with his warm, reassuring gaze.
"Now, how about we all have some lunch together?" he suggested, taking Audrey's hand.
"I'm sure the cook has prepared something delicious."
Lunch in the palatial dining room was a surely an experience for Mariya.
Audrey chatted animatedly about her day, while Alexander and Anna engaged in light, polite conversation.
Mariya found herself simply observing, trying to glean any sense of familiarity or belonging from her unfamiliar surroundings.
Just then, the front door opened and Alexander’s personal assistant Joel walked in.
“Master, she is here” Joel said with a slight bow, pointing at the pretty looking young lady wearing a blue scrub and clutching a white box in her arms.
“Let her in” Alexander instructed.
- Writer
