Page 46 of Broken Bonds

“So it’s true,” I hear a female voice say as her steps get closer. “Lionel told me you’re leaving.”

Alexandra Conrad is looking as stylish as ever, this time in a red dress paired with stunning nude heels.

The reflection of the sun on the impressive ring on her finger almost blinds me. Alexandra sits on the ottoman in front of the chair, her back straight.

“I’m trying,” I reply honestly. “Do you know where I can get a taxi?”

The truth is that I could ask to borrow her phone to call one, but the last thing I want is to involve her in my problems and cause an argument between her and her husband, who certainly won’t be very pleased.

“About two miles from here, there’s a hotel, you’ll surely find one there.” A small smile is drawn on her lips. “I didn’t bring my car, otherwise I’d take you gladly.”

I shrug before answering, pushing my lips up, forcing a smile, but the attempt is unsuccessful. “Don’t worry, I don’t want to put you in a tight spot with your husband.”

“Lionel may be paying Ethan to keep him safe, but I’m not on his payroll.”

“I have to get out of here,” I confess. “I gotta go, this is driving me crazy.”

She settles in more, crossing her ankles neatly and resting her hands on her knees, leaning a little toward me.

“Is this about the email?” she asks, raising her eyebrows. “Forgive me, I overheard a bit as Lionel brought Ethan up to speed on the news.”

A sigh comes from my lips. “That’s the cherry on top, but it’s not all.” I take a deep breath, because I need it. “I don’t know what’s going on, I really don’t. I feel like I’ve entered a parallel universe in which the man I married is a stranger. When Lionel and I met in Carrollton he was charming, romantic, and loving, then it all changed. After our brief honeymoon, our relationship seemed like I was always walking on a tightrope. One moment we were fine, the next we were fighting, like cats and dogs. And now I find that he has changed once again. I don’t know what to think, Alexandra.”

The truth in a nutshell.

She looks at me and takes my hand in hers. “I think you guys need time, maybe your husband is trying to redeem the mistakes he made in the past. Maybe there were many, I don’t know, why don’t you give it a chance. Or is he not trying hard enough?”

That makes me smile, this time for real. “He’s trying, believe me, he is. However, I can’t help but feel bewildered, it feels like I’ve been with three different men. Now I have this one in front of me, I’m just waiting for the mask to drop at any moment, and then my cold and calculating husband will return.”

And the worst part will be that by then, I’ll be so in love that I’d accept anything to keep him by my side. That’s the reason why I need to leave.

The sooner, the better.

“Look, Stella,” she begins to say. “What happened to him was a traumatic experience, he was on the verge of death, that puts things into perspective. I wouldn’t tell you this unless I knew for a fact that Lionel is a good man. Give him a chance, maybe you’ll be surprised to discover what he’s willing to do—for you.”

She has a point, I can’t deny it. What happened would change anyone’s life, perhaps Alexandra is right.

“Or is it that the lies he told you were too much for you, and you can’t forgive him?” That is another important factor.

“No, we talked about it. I’m not saying his reasons were valid, but I can understand why he did it.”

“So? What’s stopping you? Be happy, Stella, don’t be afraid.”

Be happy, that’s what I was trying to do, but my path insists on not letting me rest, always taking the most unexpected turns.

The thoughts keep spinning in my head when she gets up and smooths her dress skirt with her hands. “May I use your bathroom?”

“Oh yeah, sure,” I reply absentmindedly, my head spinning with everything that has happened and what she just told me.

And who sent that message?

Could it be the person who attempted to take Lionel’s life is now trying it from another angle and maybe chose me as a target?

Shit, we’re in a very complicated situation. There’s no doubt about it.

The desire to leave is gone. I want to stay here and discover this new world, perhaps I’m not as alone on the journey as I thought.

“Where did you get that wonder of a product you have by the counter?” Alexandra squeals as she returns to where I am. I have no idea what she’s talking about. “I need to get that soap right now. It smells delicious and I didn’t even need to moisturize after washing my hands. Spill the beans right now.”