Faye Benedict was seventeen and attending the university to study business and law. That was what she thought when she woke up in the hospital, but then her world shattered when she was told the last eight years of her life were missing. She was married, and had a daughter, but she remembered none of it. Faye assumed she had married her true love Enrico Lavini, but was horrified to find out it was his brother Matteo she was a wife to. The blows kept coming when she found out Matteo perished in the accident that had taken her memory.
As the days passed, her memory returned, and all the deceitful things she had done in the past came rushing to the forefront. Her most unforgivable transgression was denying Enrico his daughter Melita. She knew he regretted their passionate night together, but she never should have let him think his daughter belonged to Matteo. Just because he didn't want her didn't mean he wouldn't love his little girl.
Enrico found out Melita was his when she was kicked by a horse resulting in a stay at the hospital. Faye wanted to tell him in some other way, but couldn't risk him finding out from someone else. She and Matteo had so many secrets between them, but this was one she couldn't bare anymore. She would do whatever it took to protect Matteo's privacy, and handle the consequences of their actions because she knew how angry Enrico would be.
Multi layered characters are well written, and the story is packed with emotional content. Enrico lives a life based on deep family expectations and traditions. He doesn't express himself well personally, and this is his cross to bear. Faye has loved and admired Enrico all her life, but she was never able to be with him the way she wanted to be. After Matteo's death, it is heart wrenching to see them try to piece their lives back together.
