Page 23 of Broken Bonds

“I’m not surprised.”

“Luckily, my money is mine, not hers. So whether she likes it or not, she’s going to have to step aside and let me live my life.”

You just scored a point, Kral. You aren’t a total mama’s boy.

“Family matters. My mother and I are very close, but she doesn’t rule my life.”

“Draft those papers anyway, Lionel,” I insist, looking him in the eyes. “I think the best thing is for me to return to Kentucky. You know the town is pretty quiet and everyone knows each other. I’ll be perfectly safe there. You have no reason to worry…”

Johanna Kral may not be his biological mother, but they do share a trait, neither of them likes to be challenged. The expression painted on Lionel’s face makes that quite clear.

“Ethan told me the press already knows about you,” he argues, that is a sensitive point. “Do you think they will leave you alone? They are like piranhas looking for juicy news. They aren’t going to give up.”

I have to admit that he has a fair point there. I don’t want to see anyone’s life, much less my mother’s, turned upside down because I had poor judgment when choosing a husband. Mom would go completely nuts.

“The doctor came to see me this morning,” he says in a lighter tone, it’s good news. “I’ll be here until they remove the stiches. They want to keep giving me IV antibiotics. I’d like you to stay here with me.” Then he pauses for a long time. “Baby, please stay.”

“Lionel, I…”

“Stella, we need time. Stay and let’s figure this out together.”

My eyes slam shut as I weigh the endless possibilities, my mind spinning with a list of potential outcomes. The pros and cons blur together in a jumbled mess, each one more tantalizing and terrifying than the last. But if I walk away now, I know I’ll be haunted by all the what ifs that could have been.

But what else will I lose? Time? That’s a price I’m willing to pay in pursuit of the truth. And my bees will need tending to, but my mother has always been a capable helper. The distraction will do her good, considering all she has left is attending church and playing bingo.

The internal battle continues, tearing me apart as I weigh the consequences and potential outcomes. This decision could change everything, for better or for worse. But standing still and wondering about the unknown is not an option for me anymore. It’s time to take action and see where life takes me. “I have some conditions,” I say, expecting him to refute.

In return, Lionel smirks and something in me breaks. “I didn’t expect anything less.”

It seems that we are starting a new life. What it means, honestly, I don’t know.

???

“You know I can feed myself, right?” Lionel laughs as he gulps down the chicken soup I just put in his mouth.

I don’t say a word, just look at him with raised eyebrows. I know he can eat on his own, but after ten days at the hospital, I need to keep my hands busy.

Lionel’s stay was extended because when he was about to be discharged, he got a fever that just wouldn’t break. Doctors had to run some more emergency tests and change his medication.

Luckily, they moved him to a more comfortable room, so I’m able to stay with him at night without sleeping in a chair. The futon is far from comfortable, but at least I don’t wake up with a stiff neck.

“You should be thankful that I’m feeding you the soup and not gouging your eyes out with the spoon.”

We’ve had time to talk about some things, but the tension is still there, ticking like a time bomb, waiting to hit zero, and explode.

Lionel stares at me, while he takes my hand, bringing me closer to his body.

“Stella…”

The tension between us has reached its boiling point, thickening the air with a palpable heat that crackles between our bodies. Lionel forcefully shoves the wheeled table out of the way, his eyes locked on mine as he moves closer. The anticipation of our lips touching sends electric sparks through my skin.

“I see that you feel much better already.” Lionel’s mother enters the room with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”

The woman ends the sentence with a touch of sarcasm in her voice, of course she knows she interrupted us and is happy about it. Even though we’ve made progress in making the best of our situation, one thing my dear mother-in-law has made clear to me—with her, I’m far from winning.

I hear Lionel growl and a giggle comes out of my mouth, I can’t help it.

“Hadley is waiting with some paperwork you asked her for.”

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