Page 109 of Relentless Sinner

“Mostly.” The only time we’re not having sex is when Jaxon isn’t here.

“I’m just trying to make light of your worries. I know you’re in a state of continuous conflict, regardless of what you feel for Jaxon.”

“That sums it up. I wish I could say that things are great between us, because they are when I’m with him. But then there’s everything else. The things that aren’t resolved. And probably never will be.”

“Things have gotten a little better.” Cora sounds hopeful.

“Yes, but I’m still stuck in this house. I’ve only beenallowedto go back to the hospital for one day a week and for a few hours. And Andrieu is always with me, watching me more than ever.”

I’m also allowed to visit Cora and go out with Eve when she’s shopping. But that’s it. I can’t go off on my own. I don’t have a car and I don’t have access to my own things like I did before.

More importantly, Jaxon hasn’t said anything about Natasha. Nothing at all. I also haven’t seen Dad since the wedding.

“On top of all of that is my worry over med school,” I add. “Nothing is being done about that so far. I’m like a sitting duck.”

“At least you deferred your placement at UCLA until next year, and I’m sure NYU will have a place for you if you want to finish up there.”

“Yes, but it bothers me that nothing has been said. I’m only not freaking out more about it because there are so many other things to figure out.Like Jaxon.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how little I know about him.”

Everything I know is what I’d call surface-level information. Like the details you’d know about a work colleague.

“You need to talk to him. Talk to him abouteverything.”

“I want to, but I worry I’ll piss him off.”

“Come on, Gabriella. There’s so much to worry about. Why add more things? What else could you be worried about that would stop you from asking him important questions?”

As if the universe heard her, Jaxon appears on the balcony on the other side of the house.

He’s back from work early but probably to work from home. My heart lifts at the sight of him but quickly descends into my stomach when Estelle falls in step with him.

Cora follows my gaze and frowns. “No way,” she mumbles and looks at me with wide eyes. “Don’t worry abouther.”

“Why not? They’re always together.”

“You guysare always together.”

“When he’s not with me he’s with her. And they’re always so close. She’s always touching him. I’ve never hugged my boss as much as she hugs Jaxon. It’s weird, and I don’t like it.” I don’t want her to touch him. “I hope like hell he’s not bringingher along on our honeymoon.” That’s this weekend and we’re only going to the Hamptons, so it’s not like she can’t pop by for business. God, have my priorities shifted.

How did I move from worrying about serious shit to petty little things? Although I guess that wondering if your husband is cheating is never petty.

“You know what? We’re not doing this. You’re going to ask him what you need to ask him. And do not be afraid.”

It’s easy for her to say. But she’s right. I’ve been sitting tight for weeks. Jaxon and I need to talk. I can’t live like this indefinitely.

“Gabriella, promise me you will.”

“Yeah, I will.” I nod, thinking about how I’d broach the subject to him and what I’d say. Jaxon isn’t the easiest of people to approach when he doesn’t want to talk about something.

But now that the dust is settling, this would be the best time to talk to him.

Maybe I can start small and ask about med school. That’s perhaps a good starting point because we discuss our interests easily. Then I could take it from there and ask about Natasha.

I won’t mention Estelle. I don’t want to seem like a jealous wife when he’s given me no real reason to worry. At least not that I know of.

The fact that I’m not overly fond of his beautiful assistant because she’sbeautifuland looks like a Victoria’s Secret model isn’t his fault.

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