Page 8 of Broken Bonds

“Johanna,” she says to Lionel’s mother, but her gaze is still glued on me. “I think we should take a moment and let this girl explain what is going on.”

I’m sure those words were said to calm things down, but Mrs. Kral looks like someone slapped her in the face. Hard.

“Alexandra,” she says. “I appreciate your good intentions. I know your husband is a very dear friend to my son, but this is a matter that only concerns the family.”

The brunette—Alexandra—seems to have been prepared for that answer, because it doesn’t seem to bother her, she doesn’t even blink. Instead, she stands firm, her hand still on my arm and determination in her eyes.

“Look, Mrs. Kral, I understand your confusion, that makes two of us. I had to find out through the news what happened to my husband. I’ve been traveling all day, and I’m tired. I would like to speak to the doctor, no one has told me anythi—”

Johanna Kral opens her eyes, surprised by what I just told her. It’s the truth, whether she likes it or not.

“I don’t know why you’re here,” she cuts me off. “But you’re just a liar—a con artist. My son isn’t married, I would know. He’s my son!”

She can think what she wants, but in this case, the liar here isn’t me.

“Look, I didn’t know of your existence until today. Lionel told me he grew up in the system and was nev—”

She opens her mouth, clearly offended by my words.

“Of course he was adopted, by us.”

Well, I can see that now.

“Lionel and I got married in Louisville at the end of the summer. I’ve been living in Carrollton my whole life.”

I tell her part of our story as a peace offering. I couldn’t care less that she doesn’t like me. The only thing that matters now is Lionel’s health.

“Kentucky? What was my son doing in Kentucky?”

That is a question I also want to know the answer to.

Alexandra’s hand on my arm tightens, silently inviting me to keep on.

“I asked myself the same question when I found out what happened, and in LA of all places. He told me he worked in the Texas ar—”

Johanna holds up a hand, stopping my words, clearly upset about the situation.

“Stop, stop this nonsense,” she orders. “My son has never been to Kentucky, let alone to meet a woman from there and marry her. His life is here in California with his family, his home, his business.”

I’d laugh if it weren’t for the fact that we both have been deceived.

“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. This is the place for me to be.

“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.

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