I'm really sorry that it took me so long to post this, but after finishing the calendar in the middle of December (finishing the writing part) I was caught in the stress for Christmas with getting last presents and stuff like that and having a test for a job, then between the holidays there wasn't really the urge to write in me and the first week in January I had again a job interview which held my mind occupied.

Then, to top all of this I often felt the wish or urge or whatever to write leave me at all. There are several reasons for that (and writing about them would only bore you and take away too much space) and I already decided that after finishing KfaR I will take a break from writing and only post again if I've got a story finished, so I won't be under the pressure of writing because I don't want to disappoint you by not updating in time.

To be true, looking at the plan for KfaR and seeing that there still are some chapters coming after this one made me all 'Oh no, when is it finally done'. However, I promise I will finish the story and I will write it as best as I can right now, so I hope I won't disappoint you with this.

Chapter 16

The Truth

"I think I deserve to know the truth, don't you? So, is this article true?"

"I… I haven't read the article." Angelina began and tried to keep her eyes on Sophia's face.

"Okay, then let's make this in another way. Is it true, that you were working in a brothel in Argentina? That you had sex with men for money? That you tricked Adrian into marrying you? That you are having an affair with some old love?"

Angelina didn't even know what she felt as she heard all those accusations. She wondered how Camille had managed anyone to write such things.

"It's not… not really true."

"And what about it is true?"

"It is true that I was in a … a kind of brothel in Argentina. But I wasn't there willingly and I didn't sleep with anyone…"

Angelina let her gaze drop to the floor as she told Sophia her – and Julia's – story. Once or twice she looked up into the old woman's face but she couldn't make out how Sophia reacted to what she heard. When Angelina had finished she looked at Sophia expectantly.

"What about this affair?"

"I don't know whom they're writing about. I'm not having an affair." Angelina wasn't surprised at how defeated her voice sounded, she was more surprised that she could still talk.

"When we first talked, you said you wanted to have children. Was this a lie?"

"No." whispered Angelina softly, her hand wandered automatically to cover her stomach.

"If you want me to leave now, I understand. I'll just go and…"

"What do you feel about my grandson?" Sophia asked her as though Angelina hadn't said anything. Angelina sighed heavily before she answered.

"I haven't changed my thoughts about love. I don't believe in it. But I feel a lot for Adrian. As much as I could. He is one of the three most important people in my life."

"May I enquire as to who the other two are?"

"Julia of course and…" Angelina couldn't keep a small smile from finding its way to her face. "And my unborn child."

Sophia's eyes fell to Angelina's stomach and for several moments neither of them spoke. Then Sophia's eyes looked back into Angelina's brown ones.

"One thing I want you to always remember, Angelina. You, and your sister, are part of my family, no matter what. We will find a way to solve this." 'I just wonder why Adrian left so furiously when he knew the truth.' She thought as her eyes went back to Angelina's stomach.

Suddenly they heard Marjory's voice from the hall.

"You are going to get that divorce immediately! You should have married Camille as I told you all along! Then we wouldn't have that scandal now and I'm sure you would be a father soon! How could you even think about marrying such a person?"

Adrian turned to his mother, trying to cool down his anger before he would say or do something he might regret later.

"Angelina has something very important that Camille will always lack: a heart!"

He could see the fury on his mother's face but she wisely kept silent as her son walked towards the library.

When he entered Angelina immediately noticed how tense Adrian was and she felt fear taking over her as he excused the two of them to his grandmother and took her hand, pulling her out of the library after him.

"Angie?" She heard Julia's voice when they reached the staircase. Angelina turned around and saw Dyson holding her sister in his arms. Angelina smiled encouragingly to her sister and followed Adrian upstairs.

They entered their bedroom and Adrian closed the door with such a force that Angelina was surprised it stayed in the frame. She watched Adrian as he made his way to the window, looking out as though he was trying to find something there. What, she didn't know.

When he finally turned back around to her after what seemed to be an eternity Angelina tried to fight the urge to step back, seeing the coldness in his eyes. And though she succeeded in not stepping back, Adrian noticed her nervousness and his gaze softened.

He walked slowly towards her and stopped right in front of his wife. His hand reached for a lock of her black hair and he slowly wrapped it around his finger, his eyes not even leaving his hand as he finally spoke.

"I'm sorry." He whispered and caused Angelina to frown.

"What for?" She asked him confused. Adrian's eyes wandered to her face until they met her own. His fingers let go of her hair and his hand slowly moved away from her as well.

"Camille came to the stadium. She told me to either leave you or…"

"It's not your fault." Angelina interrupted him and forced herself to keep looking into his eyes.

"She came here yesterday. She told me she knew all about my past and everyone in the country would find out should I not agree to leave you immediately." Now she did avoid his eyes, fearing that he could find something in there she herself wasn't sure about yet.

"Did you go to see Camille?" She asked then, still confused about where he had gone to so fast after seeing the newspaper.

Adrian shook his head slowly as he took in what she had just told him. Camille was lucky that he hadn't gone to see her, and he wasn't sure why he didn't leave again immediately and visit her. Angelina's questioning eyes brought him back from his thoughts.

"No, I went to my lawyer. The newspaper will print a rectification tomorrow. After admitting that the only source of information was Camille and they had no proof at all they pretty soon gave in. Camille will pay for that article though." He said. He shook his head again to clear his mind.

"I guess my grandmother wanted to know the truth?"

Angelina nodded and sat slowly down on the bed. She hadn't noticed just how tired she already was. And she forced the thought of it being only noon out of her head. She didn't want to think that the day was only halfway over.

"What did you tell her?"

"The truth." Angelina whispered and looked up at Adrian, the fatigue visible in her eyes.

"She deserved it." She ran her hand over her face and sighed.

"I should look for Julia. Don't want her to be scared." With this she arose from the bed and headed to the door. Adrian held her back by her hand and turned her back around to him. He stood close to her and leaned his head down so his cheek rested against hers.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this." He whispered into her ear. When Angelina pulled away she smiled tiredly at him.

"I've been trough worse in the past years." And with this she left the room. Adrian was left alone in the bedroom, staring at the door through which she had just left. His right hand clenched into a fist. Should anyone hurt her again, he would kill that person.