Page 80 of Wanted

Stella: No, Spanx.

Alison: I hope Lionel has an electric saw on hand to get you out of that thing.

Stella: Kidding. The outfit includes a fabulous lace corset set.

I need to go, it’s about time.

Alison: Have fun, take lots of photos and tomorrow I expect a full report.

Stella: I’ve got you!

I feel like a princess fresh out of a fairy tale as I walk down the stairs to meet Lionel. My dress is a very pale pink, covered by a thin layer of sheer fabric with black embroidery. It has an air of the twenties, it’s unique, and I love it. My hair is in a low bun, and my makeup, a very natural glam. My high heels rattle on the hardwood floor as I walk in search of my husband.

To my disappointment, he isn’t in the kitchen, so I guess he’s in the office.

The door is ajar, and as I get closer I can hear his voice perfectly. He’s arguing with someone. I’m about to knock when I hear the screams.

“You think I don’t know?” he says, his voice full of pent-up anger. “I’m not a fool, Mom.”

Mrs. Kral is here, and I suppose the reason for her visit isn’t pleasant.

“That woman is nothing but a gold digger, Lionel, she’s part of the charade,” she yells. “How can you live with her? What are you thinking, taking her to the CJJ party? That woman is a gold digger and an attempted murderer.”

Peeking through the crack I can see Lionel already dressed for the party, minus the jacket. He looks gorgeous.

“Be very careful, Mom. She’s my wife.”

Mrs. Kral gives a rather loud laugh. In silence, I move away from the door, but don’t move very far, I have to keep listening. They know things about me that I’m not aware of myself.

“Is she your wife now?” she alleges. “Since when? We both know you didn’t marry her.”

Lionel clears his throat before answering. My head is spinning. This time it isn’t because of the dizziness that has become part of my life these past few days, it’s because I can’t believe what they’re saying.

I don’t understand.

My eyes fill with tears, and a knot tightens in my throat. What is this shit?

“I didn’t ask for the annulment, Mom, she’s still my wife, I made her my wife.”

Lionel’s mother gasps so loudly I can hear her from the dark hallway I’m in.

“That woman is nothing more than a criminal and you have already fallen into her trap like a fool. I expected more from you, Son. She’s in cahoots with whoever pretended to be you and then tried to kill you.”

What? This information floats above my head, I’m listening, but I can’t process it.

It’s impossible to do it.

“She isn’t the woman that I chose, but she’s the woman I intend to stay with.”

No, no. This can’t be, what is happening here?

“That woman was paid to marry you, the evidence is in the envelope. She was transferring money between her accounts after marrying you. That doesn’t seem suspicious to you?”

The silence is only broken by the sound of my heart beating in my ears like a drum.

“I-I-I’m aware of that …”

A gasp comes out of my mouth. I put my hand over it to prevent them from hearing me.

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