When Alexei heard Elise admit the reasons why she wanted to know about her past, he felt a wave of sadness overcome him. Even though Alexei was not a parent, he knew what it was like to grow up without any parents at all.
"So you've forgotten about your children?" he asked with a sympathetic voice.
Elise smiled pitifully. "I don't know if they're even alive at all. I just want to know what happened… and if they're okay. Even if they hate me for forgetting about them, then it's okay. I deserve the hatred. What kind of mother am I?"
Alexei shook his head. "I don't think they'd hate you if they knew what happened. I think the most important question besides figuring out your memories is knowing who did this to you."
"Did this to me?" Elise looked up at Alexei's face.