Page 57 of The Spy Who Ghosted Me

I found it comical that Sabrina’s family had made the engaged couple stay in separate bedrooms. If they only knew the things I’d witnessed while tailing the pair, they would realize how pointless it was. But maybe that’s what good parents did. I wouldn’t know.

“Keep the door open,” I whispered before Sabrina knocked on it.

She wrinkled her nose at me.

“It’s not up for discussion,” I stated flatly. I didn’t think we should be there in the first place. “My priority is to keep you safe,” I reminded her, though according to SPI, it wasn’t my directive. I was breaking every protocol in the book on this mission.

“Fine,” she said with a half-smile, as if my concern pleased her, before she spun around and knocked on the door.

I took a step back, giving myself the best vantage point to monitor Izan’s door and watch over Sabrina.

It didn’t take long for Lexi to open the door. Her eyes lit up when she saw Sabrina, and she immediately pulled her in without giving me a second thought. “Did Mama tell you the seamstress just delivered my dress?” She pointed at what looked to me like an explosion of satin and lace lying across her unkempt bed in her room full of designer furniture with clothes strewn everywhere.

“She mentioned it. It’s beautiful.” Sabrina’s eyes welled with tears as she wrapped her arms around Lexi, holding tightly to her sister and the gift.

Lexi looked surprised by the show of affection and emotion. “You’re not jealous, are you?”

I thought it was in poor taste for Lexi to ask such a question, but it didn’t surprise me after what I’d witnessed of her behavior over the last several days.

“No. Not at all.” Sabrina sniffled. “In fact, I have something for you.” She let go of Lexi and handed her the small box with a gold ribbon tied around it.

Lexi greedily grabbed the box and squealed like she lived for gifts.

It was odd to me how dissimilar the sisters were. Sabrina was all grace and thoughtfulness, and Lexi was self-centered and spoiled. She hadn’t even acknowledged my presence. I think she only cared that she could show off her dress to her older sister.

Lexi quickly untied the ribbon and tossed it aside before eagerly removing the lid of the box to reveal the locket.

“I thought this could be your something old,” Sabrina mentioned while Lexi pulled the locket out and tossed the box to the side.

“Is this real gold and sterling silver?” Lexi had the audacity to ask while carefully examining the locket, trying to decide if she liked it or not. No words of thanks escaped her pouty red lips.

It was no wonder she found herself in love with such a selfish prick—she was just as greedy as he was. The fact that Sabrina so desperately wanted to save such a person spoke to her character and goodness. She was too good for me. How she didn’t regret knowing me, I couldn’t fathom—and she had no idea what that meant to me. My entire life, I had felt like that was all I was—a regret. My parents rued the day they had me, and every foster family seemed to feel the same way about taking me in.

“Yes,” Sabrina responded, doing her best to keep the bite out of her tone. “But the most important thing is what’s inside. Open it.”

Lexi obeyed and opened the locket.

I think I was more eager to know what was inside than Lexi was. Sabrina hadn’t mentioned it. She’d seemed to want to keep it private.

As Lexi studied the contents, her features softened into a smile.

“It’s the first time I held you,” Sabrina choked out. “I’m whispering in your ear that I will always love and protect you.”

Lexi stared between Sabrina and the locket, and for a moment, all her pretensions slipped away.

It gave me a glimpse into why Sabrina loved her sister so much.

“Lexi, I love you,” Sabrina cried. “I want you to know that I’m always here for you. Even if for some reason you want to call off your wedding, I’d be here for you.”

Lexi’s eyes widened in horror. “Why would you say something like that?”

“I know it’s something that Nana told Mama before she got married. It was to show her love. I just want you to know that you always have a choice and that I have your back.”

Lexi stepped a pace away from Sabrina, acting unsure of her sister’s motives. “That’s not going to happen. I love Soren like Mama loves Daddy.”

“Okay,” Sabrina whispered. “Can I put the locket on you?”

Lexi held up the locket and looked at it as if it frightened her. Or maybe it had never crossed her mind there was any other choice but to marry Soren. Either way, she shook her head. “I’ll wear it later.”

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