Paradise In Portugal {Cristiano Ronaldo}

18. Conflict and Comfort

ADELINA

I stared at my phone for minutes on end, feeling like hours. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach, panic coursing through my body. My hands shook as I scrolled once again through the article, spotting a blurry image of Cristiano leaving my house taken from across the street. 

Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted leaving a mystery girl's house last night. Sources claim that this mystery girl is the same girl he had visited the restaurant with about 4 months ago. Are things getting serious? Stay tuned.

Anxiety flushed in as the screen lit up with Gareth's name and contact photo appeared.

"Ola meu amor," I greeted, voice trembling.

"Cut the shit, Adelina. What was Cristiano doing at your house? I saw what the tabloids were saying." 

Words failed me. I couldn't bring myself to give him an explanation. My breathing became more labored by the second, and anxiety built up.

"Answer me!" he demanded. 

"P-please believe me... Nothing happened. H-he came by to catch up." My voice cracked with every word. The fear in itself caused my eyes to well up. 

"I've had it. I'm taking the next flight out." 

Click.

In a panic, I sprung up, wiping off any tears on my cheek. With the boys at school today and working from home, it had allowed me to start packing our overnight bags. I couldn't be home. I couldn't stay here knowing Gareth was coming back. The fear ate me alive.

Everything Cristiano had said the night before was true; I had to get out while I had the chance. I couldn't let this man have control over me, over my emotions, hurt me. I was stronger than this. I had to get away, if not for my safety, than that of my boys. I had to protect them. 

After packing the necessities, I called my mom to ask if we could stay a few nights. I hadn't been able to bring it to myself to explain the agonizing details to her. What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her, right? 

Later that day, after a million questions, went to my mom's house with Josue and Carlos. Things were quiet throughout dinner. I knew my mother had things she wanted to say, questions she wanted to ask, but didn't dare speak a word in front of the boys. A part of me felt guilty for allowing this to happen; we had already been through a lot with Damian. I knew the boys did not need any more trauma or hurt in their lives. 

"Are you going to tell me the truth, Adelina?" my mother asked, as she wiped down the dishes I was washing. 

The boys had run off to another part of the house to finish their homework, leaving us in this uncomfortable silence.

I shrugged, not wanting to tell her. Deep down, I knew I had to. "Please, don't get mad or upset. I'm not looking for a lecture, mãe."

She put the dish on the drying rack and laid the towel down. She turned to face me with somber eyes. "Of course, minha filha." 

I sighed. "Gareth. He u-um, he was getting physical with me... Ele me machucou,made. He's hurt me." 

She gasped, putting her hand to her mouth. Her eyes welled up with tears as she pulled me into a tight hug. "I am so sorry, mihna filha."