Page 18 of Wanted

“What are you doing here?” he asks me and those words hit my chest like a wrecking ball.

Hard.

I slowly approach the foot of his bed, feeling quite uncomfortable and very small.

“I was shocked when I found out you were here.”

I look him in the eye, his expression is harsh. Cold. Distant.

Is he upset that I came? What did he expect me to do?

“Lionel, there are so many things I don’t understand, like why did you lie to me?” I scold him in a low voice, while he continues to watch me in icy silence. “I had to find out through the news that you were here, instead of Dallas like you told me. Then imagine my shock when I got here and met your mother.”

He looks at me for a long minute, cocking his head, like he’s studying me. He looks so different, he looks at me differently. If I wasn’t sure it was him, I might think he was someone else.

“You don’t understand,” he finally says. His voice is as hard as his gaze. Although he looks tired and hurt, he’s a man in control, it doesn’t matter that he’s bedridden in the hospital. “I have no idea who you are, so I advise you to get out of here before I call security.”

I keep my mouth open, not knowing how to answer. Damn, the air has left my lungs, so not a word would come out even if I wanted to.

“Lionel?” It’s the only thing that comes out of my lips.

“Get out!” he says without raising his voice but in a forceful tone. Unwavering.

And it makes my body tremble.

Out of all the reactions I thought to face, this was the last one I expected.

One of the scenarios that crossed my mind was that he would be upset. After all, our relationship was a secret to his family.

But wanting me to leave and denying he knows me, never in my wildest dreams.

This is the worst feeling.

“Lionel, what’s going on? What are you saying? It’s me, Stella, your wife.”

He opens his eyes, surprised by my statement. I’m only telling the truth. I didn’t look for this, it was him who kept insisting I go on a date with him in the first place.

And, above all, I wasn’t the one who lied.

“I have no fucking idea who you are. Get out of here.”

My stupid knees refuse to work, my legs barely support me. I’m sure if he could get out of that bed and get me out of here himself, he would.

“Look, miss, ma’am or whatever, you’re nothing but a swindler. Get out of here before I call security.”

I’m about to fall to the floor when I feel a pair of hands on my shoulders support me.

“About time you decide to wake up,” Jackson states the obvious to Lionel. “The next time you need a vacation, choose a quieter destination. They say Bali is beautiful this time of year.”

“You want to explain to me what the hell is going on here?” Lionel rasps, it wasn’t a request.

“Stella,” this time Jackson speaks to me. “Catherine is in the hall. Go talk to her while I speak to Lionel. The doctor said no more than twenty minutes with Lionel. He needs to rest and so do you.”

Jackson lets go of me, but not before making sure I can stand on my own. But my body refuses to move. Lionel’s words have turned me into a pillar of salt, but instead of curiosity when looking back causes me to transform, it was his indifference.

“Go,” he rushes me, this time giving me a gentle nudge. That makes me move.

Without daring to look at Lionel, I leave the room, closing the glass door behind me. I let myself fall against it, sliding until I touch the floor.

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