The Price of a Secret

Author's Note

Read this part only after finishing the book, as it contains spoilers.

The first gift I received from a father was at the age of four. And it wasn't from my biological father, but rather from the only real father figure I had in my life: my stepfather. This gift, my teddy bear Peposa, is still with me today and only came into my possession after my father's passing. Elizabeth and Lia's story is my own and my mother's story. I decided to share it because I believed the world deserved to know the tale of this incredible woman who sacrificed everything, even her own life, to protect those she loved. I also chose to write it as a tribute to the true embodiment of love and family, Simon, my stepfather, who taught me the true meaning of love.

I remember all the memories from my early childhood - the beatings, the scares, the fear - but I don't recall love, for there was none. Despite my mother always surrounding me with care and affection, I never experienced it from my father. And when Lia asked Elizabeth, by the casket, if their father would never come back, I closed my eyes and recalled the scene and the relief my four-year-old self felt at that moment. Finally, we were free.

However, Simon didn't win my heart so easily. Unlike Lia, it took me nearly three years to cry and open myself to love. As Elizabeth said, " The scars on the body might fade over time, but the ones on the soul never disappear" and I carried those scars for years. With infinite patience and boundless love, Simon taught me how to love. I owe everything I am today to this incredible father figure in my life.

When I began writing this story, I pondered how I could offer support to all the women who have suffered or are currently suffering domestic violence at the hands of those who should love and protect them. My aim was to empower them with words and Elizabeth's story. While some events were created to enrich the narrative, the overall story unfolded much like in real life. Understanding Elizabeth's motivations for certain decisions wasn't difficult, and it was even easier to see how she evolved throughout the narrative, finding strength to fight against oppression. A strength that originated within and then grew through her love for her daughter and Simon. Indeed, love was the key ingredient to breaking free from any oppression.

I cannot be certain of how our lives would be today if Mason were still here, but I imagine the chains of fate would have been tighter, inflicting more suffering upon us. The story doesn't have a happy ending where the villain repents and gains forgiveness for their crimes. But I believe it reflects much of what happens in real life, doesn't it?

As I wrote the story, there were many times I wished to alter the narrative, offering more support to Elizabeth. Imagining her without any kind of support in that situation was deeply painful. However, I needed to stick to what truly happened to remain faithful to reality. I found myself imagining that even today, thousands of women go through similar ordeals without even having the support of their own parents. In fact, many times, their parents are the first perpetrators of the violence, causing them to grow up without protection, strength, and love. I wanted to tell the story as it truly happened, to show how responsible we are for our children and that we must protect and support them above all else.

Unlike my grandparents, my mother and Simon raised me, always showing me that I was strong and should never accept disrespect from anyone, especially from men. I grew up understanding that my life was in my hands and that I couldn't allow anyone to take it away from me. Some boyfriends even attempted to diminish me or extinguish my light, but I didn't allow it and distanced myself. I had the courage and support that Elizabeth couldn't have. So, from the bottom of my heart, I thank the mother she managed to be, much better than her own mother.

As I wrote the story, I fell in love with Elizabeth and Simon. At every moment, I wished to shorten the narrative, to end their suffering and provide them with the long-awaited happy ending. So, enduring certain scenes was difficult. Emotion overwhelmed me, and my heart ached. As the narrative unfolded, the two of them filled my days and my dreams. They are endearing characters, reflecting remarkable people.

A glimpse of their story is told in my other book, which describes part of my adult life: "Love Beyond Words." The journey of struggle and determination continued for years. The happy ending didn't come quickly, and I also couldn't fully enjoy Simon's presence in my life. He left us at only 57 years old, a month before I became pregnant with my first daughter, the granddaughter he had longed for. Therefore, I leave my deep gratitude on this paper for this incredible man who saved both me and my mother in various ways.

As for my mother, my rock, she still walks by my side. When I had the idea to write her story, I asked for her permission. She immediately agreed, stating that it was time for the world to know her. But gradually, I realized that stirring certain wounds was causing her pain. Scars of the soul never disappear. If I already admired her before, now, after creating this book, my admiration has only grown. We can truly understand the pain people feel only when we experience it ourselves. And while writing "The Price of a Secret," I experienced it. It wasn't pleasant. It was agonizing. So, Mother, thank you for fighting and enduring to protect me. I will be eternally grateful, and I know that we will always be together, united by a love that transcends life itself.