The next morning Abigail woke up in a cold sweat. She didn’t recall having a nightmare, so she just brushed it off. Nothing could bring her down from the good mood she was in. Abigail tried to get back to sleep, but images from the night before entered her head, so she just got up. She quietly left his room because Kevin needed his sleep and she didn’t want to risk waking him up, no matter how much she wanted to make love to him.  

After Abigail started a pot of coffee, she went to grab the newspaper from the front step. She was anxious to read the review from the show the night before. The guys warned her the day before that the media rarely had anything positive to say about them, but she prayed they received a good review because they deserved it. 

Abigail turned to the entertainment section, and instead of seeing a picture of the boys in concert, she saw two pictures of herself and a headline that read, “Backstreet Boy dates Murderer.” Her worse nightmare was coming true. Someone had obviously recognized her at the concert the night before, because the story included a picture of her from the night before and her mug shot. Except for the fact that her hair was much longer now, there was no denying that the person in the other picture was Abigail. 

At first Abigail panicked. She had fought with her guilt and fears ever since she’d started dating Kevin and she had somehow convinced herself that she’d be safe. A few minutes later Abigail calmed herself down and did the only thing she could think of. She took the newspaper upstairs, because she knew she had to be the person to show the article to Kevin. He’d probably throw her out before she even had a chance to explain, but at least she wouldn’t have to hide and continue to lie to him. She stood in the doorway of his bedroom and watched as he slept peacefully. His world was about to be turned upside down. Abigail slowly walked into the room and sat down on the bed beside Kevin and awakened him with a kiss. It could be the last time she would feel his lips on hers. She got a response that she would have wanted any other morning, but this morning she pulled away, knowing she couldn’t put this off any longer. 

Kevin opened his eyes and smiled at the beautiful woman that sat before him. It didn’t take him long to read the tension in her face. “Don’t tell me you woke me up so I could read a negative review. I’ve read enough of those to last me a life time.” Kevin said as he spotted the newspaper in her hand. 

“I wish it was just a negative review Kevin.” Abigail said as she left the paper beside Kevin and walked over to the large bay window. She couldn’t bear to see the look on his face when he saw the headline. 

Kevin picked up the paper and felt like he had been punched in the gut when he saw Abigail’s picture and a headline that read, “Backstreet Boy Dates Murderer.” He felt like he was going to be sick. “Would you mind telling me what this is about?” Kevin asked as he looked for some sign from Abigail that it wasn’t true.

“It’s all there Kevin. Once you’ve read it, I hope you’ll let me point out the facts that have been left out. The story is missing some key facts.” Abigail said.  

Just as Kevin got into the part about Abigail being charged for the murder of her husband, the telephone rang. After a few rings Abigail asked if he was going to answer it. “I know what they’re calling about and I can’t talk about it until I have all the details.” Kevin said flatly. She couldn’t read what he was thinking. At least he hadn’t kicked her out as soon as he read the headline, she thought to herself. 

Kevin finished the article a few minutes later and he said, “Can I have a few minutes alone? I don’t want you to leave because I want to hear your side of the story, but I just need a few minutes alone.” Abigail did as she was asked. She slowly wandered down the stairs and wound up outside on the patio. She sat down on the edge of the pool and finally let the tears fall. She was about the loose the second man that she had ever loved. A part of her was relieved now that the truth would finally be revealed, but another part of her feared that she would be forced to move once again and try to pick up the pieces of her shattered life.

Kevin re read the article a few more times to try and understand all the details. As Kevin sat there, he recalled a conversation he had with Abigail weeks before, when all she would admit was that she didn’t do it. He didn’t believe for a second that Abigail had actually killed her husband. Kevin finally got out of bed and tried to find her. He was in a panic when he couldn’t find her anywhere in the house and he just about called the police but then he spotted her sitting by the pool. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and he slowly made his way to her side. It was finally time for the truth to come out. As he approached her, a lot of the events of the past couple of weeks started to make sense. He now understood why Abigail had never been able to confide in him about her past. This was a good enough reason as far as he was concerned, and she didn’t owe him any further explanation about that. He just wanted to hear the rest of the story the newspaper conveniently left out.  

Abigail heard Kevin approach and she prepared herself for having her heart broken for the second time in her life. It was her fault this time. She had killed their relationship by not being honest about her past. She should have told him so he would be better prepared for this day.  

As soon as Kevin sat down, he was at a loss for words. He wanted Abigail to know that he didn’t believe that he was on her side, but he needed to say it in the most profound way possible. In the end, all he could come up with was, “I know you didn’t do it.” Abigail looked up at him, and he continued. “I have a lot of questions, but let me finish. I’ve spent a lot of time speculating about what had happened in your past that was so terrible that you couldn’t tell me. One thing kept coming back to me. That was when you said that you didn’t do it. It may have taken me a few minutes to put two and two together, but this is what you didn’t do, am I right Abigail? Please tell me I’m right.”

Abigail wasn’t even able to answer Kevin’s question before she broke down. She was so sure that she wouldn’t get the opportunity to tell Kevin the whole story. She felt Kevin’s arms pull her towards him. Maybe, just maybe there was a god after all.  

Abigail didn’t need to say anything. Kevin all ready knew what the answer was. The important thing was that he knew the truth. The rest of the questions could wait.  

After a short while, Kevin carried Abigail back up to his bedroom and held her close as she fell into a restless sleep. While she was sleeping, he took the opportunity to make a few necessary calls. He figured it was time that he touched base with the other guys. He tried phoning Brian first, but he couldn’t get him at home or on his cell phone, so he decided to try Howie next. He wasn’t surprised when he heard Howie answer on the first ring. 

“Kevin, we’ve been trying to get in touch with you. Have you seen this mornings’ paper?” Howie asked anxiously.  

“Yes, Abigail brought it to me.” Kevin said, preparing himself for the barrage of questions.  

“Kevin man, we don’t know what to think. Please tell me there is no truth to this story.” Howie said. They had all like Abigail, and they didn’t want to believe the story. They hoped it was another attempt by the tabloids and media to bring them down.  

“I don’t know all the details yet Howie. I know there is some truth to the story. Abigail was obviously married and he was murdered, but I know she didn’t do it.” Kevin said. That was all he was capable of saying at the moment.  

“How can you be so sure?” Howie questioned.  

“I can’t get into it now Howie. Abigail and I have a lot to talk about, so I’ll let you go. Pass the word on to the other guys will you.” Kevin said.  

“The Firms freaking Kevin. We need to work on an official statement.” Howie said.  

“Do me a favor and hold them off for a while. Just tell them that I’ll be there for the show tonight and I’ll be prepared to make a statement at that time.” Kevin said. 

“I don’t know if they’ll accept that Kevin.” Howie said as representatives from the firm watched him closely.  

“They’re going to have to accept it. This isn’t easy Howie and I need some time. Can you guys at least buy me that? Tell them that I’m fine and I’ll see you guys at the arena later.” Kevin insisted. This was an extremely personal and emotional time and they needed to give him some space. For once he was doing what was best for him and Abigail as opposed to what was best for the group.  

“We’ll do our best. But you should know that Brian is on his way over with Tom and Carlos. When he couldn’t get in touch with you, we had to do something.” Howie said.  

“Thanks for the warning Howie. I can deal with them. It’s management I can’t handle right now.” Kevin said.  

“Well, I guess I’ll let you go then. Just call if you need us there.” Howie said.  

“I know and thanks. See you later.” Kevin said as he hung up the phone and looked down at Abigail, who was now wide-awake and staring up at him. “That was Howie.” Kevin said. 

“I’m so sorry Kevin.” Abigail said as she started to cry again.  

“It’s ok. Are you ready to talk?” Kevin asked.  

‘Yeah, I’m a little more calm now.” Abigail said as she sat up. Just as she was about to start, the doorbell rang. 

“I have to get that. It’s Brian, Tom and Carlos. Do you want to stay up here or come down with me?” Kevin asked.  

“I’ll come down. They might as well hear the whole story as well.” Abigail said as Kevin offered her his hand and they walked down the stairs together.

“Are you sure you want to do this? The only person you owe an explanation to is me.” Kevin said. 

“No, I need to do this. This involves all the guys, so they have a right to know.” Abigail said as the doorbell rang again.  

Kevin finally opened the front door to find Brian and the two large bodyguards standing there. Brian gave Kevin a huge hug and said, “Thank god you’re all right. We were getting ready to call the police Kevin.”  

“Is everything all right here boss?” Carlos asked as he eyed Abigail standing beside him.  

“I’m fine guys. Thanks for your concern though.” Kevin said as the three men entered the house.  

“Would you like us to wait outside?” Carlos asked.  

Kevin looked at Abigail and said, “That’s up to you Abigail.”  

“No, please stay. I need everyone to know the full story.” Abigail said. They all quietly gathered in the living room and waited for Abigail to begin. “I’m going to try and get through this without breaking down. Be patient with me though. It’s not going to be easy to relive the past 4 years of my life.” 

“Take your time Abigail.” Kevin said as he squeezed her hand, hoping to reassure her that she didn’t have anything to fear. The other men retreated to the other side of the room, not wanting to interfere in the private moment.  

“I mentioned Frank to you a couple of times. I met him a few months after my parents were killed in a car accident.” Abigail started. 

“Oh my god, I had no idea.” Kevin said as his heart reached out to Abigail. It was difficult loosing his father at such a young age. He couldn’t even fathom how difficult it was to loose both parents at the same time. 

“You had no way of knowing anyways. I met Frank a few months later. I was young and vulnerable and Frank took me under his wing. We fell in love almost immediately and we got married a few months later. Frank had just graduated from law school and had just started to work at a very well respected law firm in New York City. He made enough money to support us, so we bought a house in a rural community and all Frank expected from me was that I be there waiting for him when he got home. Our marriage wasn’t perfect, but Frank was good to me. Then a few weeks after our one-year anniversary, I woke up to find Frank dead in our swimming pool. The days following his death are still a blur to me even now. But three days later, the police showed up at the house and arrested me. They actually believed I killed him. I found out later that a woman down the street, who I had become friends with, had come forward and told the police about a conversation she had with me about a week before Frank was murdered. Frank and I had a fight that morning and I told her that I wanted out of the marriage. The case went to trial almost immediately. My lawyer assured me that they couldn’t charge me for the murder without any physical evidence. Apparently it was enough, because I was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.” Abigail took a deep breath and tried to gather the courage to continue. She finally resumed, “I felt like killing myself and the only reason I didn’t is because they put me on suicide watch. That was when I started talking to a psychiatrist about everything. She helped me overcome a lot of things. After a while I started to adjust to life in prison and actually made a few close friends.” Abigail took a moment to remember all the women she had met while she was there. She continued, knowing that she was close to loosing it. She wanted to finish her story before Kevin had a chance to say anything. “I spent three years in prison for a crime I didn’t commit, and the only reason I’m sitting here right now is because my lawyer never gave up on me. With some help from a private detective, they found enough evidence that proved I was innocent. So he requested a re-trial and fortunately I was acquitted. It was all kept very quiet though, because they still didn’t have any clues leading to who killed Frank and they didn’t want to tip them off. In the end, I wound up spending another few weeks in prison while they took all the formal steps to have me transferred. Alison Summers is still in prison in New York State somewhere. That’s when I took on a while new identity and moved here to Orlando.” Abigail finished. After a few minutes of silence, she got up and sat beside Kevin. “I hope you can understand why I could never tell you the truth. For me to be able to move on, I couldn’t tell anyone about my past. Not even the man I was falling in love with.” Abigail said as she watched Kevin closely. She needed a sign that Kevin understood.  

Abigail was startled when she heard Brian speak. “You guys need some time alone, so we’re going to get out of here. You guys know where to find us if you need anything.” Brian said as he gave Kevin’s shoulder a supportive squeeze. After hearing Abigail’s story, he knew she was no longer a threat.  

Kevin couldn’t respond. He was trying so hard to keep it together for Abigail’s sake, but as soon as he heard the front door close, he collapsed in Abigail’s arms. Kevin didn’t know what to say. He had no idea she had suffered through so much and he felt guilty for all the times he became upset at her for not telling him about her past.  

Abigail gave Kevin a few minutes to absorb everything she had just told him. “Do you need some time alone?” Abigail asked him.  

“No, god no. Please don’t leave.” Kevin said as he took Abigail’s head in his hands and kissed her. It started out as an urgent and hard kiss, which gradually turned into a slow and passionate kiss. When Kevin pulled away, he looked Abigail in the eyes and said, “My heart aches for you. You’ve been through so much. Please believe me when I say I love you and I’m not going anywhere. You’ve always asked me to help you move on with your life. Maybe now, we can truly move forward. I want to make you forget about it all.” Kevin said.  

“How did I get so blessed to find someone like you? Any other guy would have been gone long ago. You have no idea what it means to me to know that you still want me after everything I just told you.” Abigail said as she shed silent tears; happy tears. She knew she could face anything now as long as she had Kevin’s support.