Page 9 of Wanted

“You know very little about Lionel’s life,” I tell her, children don’t tell their parents everything, clearly Lionel has been keeping secrets.

“I know everything about my son’s life.” Clearly not. “It’s obvious this is a made-up story just to get some information. You better leave now and don’t you dare publish anything. Money can buy many things, among them is the best legal team.”

She’s so fucking wrong because I’m not moving from here. My place is here.

“What you want is one thing, but what is actually going to happen is very different. I understand your doubts but I already gave you an explanation.”

She looks at me with her mouth open, while in her head she contemplates what she’s going to tell me, but I speak first.

“Lionel and I are legally married. I have my driver’s license and the certificate of marriage. He and I—”

Mrs. Kral is flushed with rage, smoke coming out of her ears.

“You have nothing to do with my son, get out of here, miss.” She turns to the man in the suit again, giving him instruction to remove me.

“My name is Stella Annabel Kral,” I correct her but I’m unable to do more.

The man takes my arm and without warning, begins to drag me to the exit.

The last thing I want to do is make a scene, but I resist as much as I can, at first by staying still. But the man is stronger than me and in front of the staff’s astonished gaze, he picks me up like a rag doll.

“Don’t try to come back,” he warns, when he has finally ushered me into the confined space of the elevator. “They aren’t going to let you through the door. I’ve already taken care of that.”

Oh yeah? Watch me!

“None of you can keep me away from my husband. I have the right to be here.”

He crosses his arms over his chest, looking more intimidating. I might be a small-town girl without much experience in these types of matters, and no more than two cents to rub together to my name, but they don’t know how stubborn I can be.

I’m not going to let them walk all over me, I must be able to do something. I’ll even make a fuss to make myself heard.

The paparazzi at the entrance would help my case.

The man doesn’t bother to escort me to the building’s main entrance, it gives me the opportunity to look for a little corner to gather myself together and think about what my next step will be.

I’m sitting there scrolling through my phone when someone touches my shoulder.

“Hi, I’m sorry to bother you, but you know I was listening,” the same dark-haired woman who witnessed the discussion with Lionel’s mother tells me as she sits down in the chair next to me. “I’m Catherine Cole, my husband is Lionel’s friend.” On her left hand is a stunning diamond ring that shines, her husband was definitely making a statement by putting that rock on her finger.

I hope this isn’t some kind of scheme, because I like this woman, she has a friendly face. Had we met under other circumstances, I think we would be friends.

“Stella Kral,” I reply.

“Nice to meet you, Stella Kral.” She smiles as she pulls out a state-of-the-art phone from her designer purse.

I turn my attention back to my phone. My plan is to search the internet for something about California law. Our marriage is perfectly legal, and Lionel isn’t underage, so I need to talk with the hospital management and let them know what’s happening here.

There are many lies brewing up between us like a storm.

I am Lionel’s wife, and I deserve to be treated as such.

I’m not going to let them silence my voice.

“So what is happening? How is it that Lionel got married without telling Johanna? He’s the apple of her eye, I’m sure the news of him being married must have been like being drenched with a bucket of ice water.”

“I’m as surprised as she is,” I admit, a little embarrassed but it’s the truth. Also, it wasn’t my choice to lie. “Lionel told me he grew up in an orphanage.”

Catherine smiles. “And he did, as I understand it, that story isn’t a secret. The Krals adopted Lionel when he was just over five years old. Lionel’s father, Anton, passed away a few years ago and since then Johanna’s life revolves around her son.”

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