Page 10 of Wanted

Boy, it seems Lionel and I have something in common after all.

“I had no idea about any of this,” I start to tell her. “I swear, ’til this morning, I didn’t know about his money and business.”

“My husband is on his way,” she informs me. “So we have about twenty minutes for you to tell me everything before he arrives, then we’ll see what can be done.”

I tell her the story as best I can, even showing her some of our photos together.

“That’s definitely Lionel,” she says as she takes a look at my Instagram account.

“My mother made me bring my marriage certificate,” and that was such a blessing. “I think she had a hunch this wouldn’t be a pleasant meeting.”

Catherine chuckles. “Mothers know it all.” Then she bursts out laughing. “Well, unless you’re Johanna Kral. Sorry, I’m such a horrible person.”

I laugh too. “It feels like this is my first breath of fresh air, Catherine.”

She smiles again. “What are you planning to do, Stella?”

I sigh before answering because I need a moment to give her an honest answer. “I don’t know, I really don’t. The first thing is to focus on Lionel’s health. Once he’s conscious, he better start talking, and it needs to be the truth, for a change. In the end, I think I’m going back home.”

“Are you going to leave Lionel?” she asks, raising her eyebrows.

“I don’t know. Sometimes love isn’t enough and I’m not sure what he feels for me is love.” The air leaves my lungs, taking my strength with it. “I grew up feeling loved, Catherine. My parents had to make many sacrifices to buy a house, to have a good life. I thought that was what I was getting when I married Lionel, but all I got was a ton of lies. Now I don’t know what to do with them.”

Catherine’s phone pings and she hurries to reply to the upcoming text.

“Jackson’s here,” she informs me.

A couple of minutes later a very handsome man with dark hair and impressive blue eyes stands in front of us, bending down to kiss Catherine gently on the cheek.

Then his attention is on me.

“Jackson Cole, nice to meet you, Stella Kral.”

* * *

“Jackson,” Johanna Kral gasps as we appear from the hallway to the room where she’s sitting drinking her coffee. “What are you doing here with that woman?”

Jackson greets her and then nods to the man who dragged me out of this place a while ago.

“This woman, as you call her, is your son’s wife. Whether you like it or not, you can’t take away her right to be here just because you resent not being informed of their wedding.”

She makes a disgusted face, knowing what she has been told is true. Even if Jackson wasn’t here, I would have still gone to speak to the hospital director myself if it had been necessary. According to the webpage I visited, California’s law protects my marital status.

Johanna Kral will have to swallow this pill, no matter how hard and bitter it is.

She’s not the only one who has had to learn some shocking news in the last few hours.

“How do you know she’s telling the truth?” she exclaims. “How do you know she isn’t a gold digger?”

Jackson shoves his hands in his tailored pants pockets.

“Because I had my people investigate her on my way to the hospital, Johanna. Their marriage is legal, and there is nothing you can do about it.”

I stare at him with my mouth open. In response, Jackson shrugs.

“I think I was wrong hiring you to take care of my son’s safety,” she replies.

“Lionel’s safety couldn’t be in better hands,” Jackson argues. “My priority is to take care of him to the best of my ability. That extends to his family, which includes you, and now his wife.”

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