POWER

Chapter Nineteen

All eyes looked back and forth from Faith to the child. The thought of an unknown step-child sent shivers down Faith's spine. There was an awkward silence among the audience and those backstage. Jason and the others standing with Joseph were trying not to stare of judge. He was showing no signs of guilt nor astonishment.

''So, Mrs Moore – any response?'' The reporter was sat smiling feeling smug as she saw both the confusion and devastation on Faith's face.

''Actually ma'am, Stacy, I think that's enough for question time but thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, the candidates.'' The interviewer relieved Faith of the embarrassment of discussing this new scandal in front of the press. Unfortunately, it was almost guaranteed that this would be on the cover of the majority of magazines within the following days.

Faith walked back stage vexed and ready to confront her husband who was beginning to show fear. ''What the hell?'' She slapped her husband as everyone acted as though they weren't listening. Leslie however showed a sneaky smile as she saw a new side of Faith. ''Not only did you have an affair but she had your child! I mean, how could you not tell me you had a son?'' Now it was time for Joseph's retaliation which Faith could only expect to be a petty argument.

''I was going to tell you but then I found out she was pregnant with Jordan and, and I knew that would hurt you even more.''

''So you knew about Jordan? Your son, you knew about him?'' And once again, silence returned. Faith had been trying to delude herself with the idea that her husband had been unaware of the whole situation, maybe Stacy had kept the child a secret from him too. She turned away from Joseph, who had very little left to argue.

'' What I don't get'', his voice croaked as he began to speak ''is how you can act so appalled. Sure this went beyond the measures of just an affair but don't act as though you're completely innocent.''

''What?''

'' Josh.''

Everyone looked at Faith, no longer pretending not to notice the argument taking place. Leslie, shocking Faith, smiled. She acted as though she knew her father had been dating Faith. Both Faith and Joseph walked off in separate directions leaving everyone with unanswered questions.

''Kendall can we talk?'' Taylor was the first to speak out of everyone and Jason and Leslie left the girls to talk.

''Taylor, they'll be fine. They're just going through a...''

''Kendall stop treating me as if I'm still fourteen, I'm not bothered if their arguing. What I do care about is how dad knew. Did you tell him about Josh? I mean, I'm assuming you knew about Josh.''

Kendall wasn't sure how to respond. She'd never really considered the situation from Taylor's point of view. After all, she had been playing as sort of a hand holder for their mother since Kendall had moved out and hadn't been around as much.

''He thought she was cheating with Jason.''

''So you told him? You told him and ruined their marriage to save your new boyfriend?''

'' No Taylor, they ruined their own marriage when they both cheated.'' This was one statement Taylor couldn't argue or deny. She'd been supporting her mother through the difficulties of losing Josh and now the news of her father's lies but she had never really thought of how wrong her mother's actions were. Unlike Kendall, Taylor was a lot closer with her mother rather than her father but she was now realising they were both in the wrong.

Faith had returned to her hotel room (unaware of her husband's whereabouts) to try and clear her head when Leslie knocked on the door. She entered the living area and placed her arms around Faith. Faith had never been one to cry or show much emotion, she had always been independent, never had the need to rely on others. But as she rested her head on Leslie's shoulder, Faith couldn't help but shed tears.

It was the reveal of her husband's secrets and lies, her conflicted feelings for Josh who she longed for. ''Faith'' Leslie whispered softly as Faith sat up and wiped her eyes. ''He loved you. It wasn't long before he started on your campaign that me and him properly started talking again but he changed when he met you. Dad was, he was happy when he was with you Faith.'' Leslie smiled and reached for Faith's hand. She had no proof or conformation but Leslie had always wondered if there was something more between Faith and Josh. The way Faith lost herself when Josh was killed in the accident and there were other little things Leslie had picked up on. The smile she had when his name was said, the way he struggled to speak that night in the hospital. Nothing made sense without him. She loved so much she lost herself and could only focus on him.

Outside the hotel, reporters and journalists waited for the chance to question anyone with inside knowledge. Jason was looking desperately for Joseph to stop him talking to the press along with other volunteers. With only a week until election day, this new scandal was sure to cause some serious damage.