Page 4 of A Sinner's Truth

The very type of man I don’t want anything to do with. But, until I’m twenty-five, I don’t have a choice. I have to do whatever my father tells me to do in order to get access to my own trust fund. I know it sounds ridiculous.Rich girl problems. Except it’s not about the money. There’s something else in that trust that I want more than anything else.

And that’s my mother’s jewellery. She left it all to me when she died. I was only seven years old, but there’s one necklace I desperately want. I’ve asked my father for it repeatedly, but he won’t budge, and I can’t access the safe deposit box until I’m considered of age.

The necklace isn’t even an expensive piece. It’s a cheap gold locket with a picture of us inside it. My mother wore it every day. I remember her saying that when I was old enough, I’d wear it and replace the picture with one of my own daughter. I was only six, but I promised her I’d never change it. I’d always want her picture with me.

I once offered to sign everything else over to my father. He could keep the money, the properties, all of it if I could just have the necklace. He laughed in my face and told me he had no use for any of it. It’s true. He’s not holding my trust over my head because he’s greedy. He has more than enough money to last him twenty lifetimes and probably more. No, it’s because he likes to control me. He wants me to be the perfect little Swan princess so he can parade me around his galas and business events like some prized possession. Joke’s on him. If I trulywere prized, he wouldn’t be signing me over to fucking Oliver Densper.

“Where are we going and how much bail money are we going to need?” Drew asks.

“Let’s not get arrested. We’re going to Unhinged. It’s where all the cool kids hang out, you know.” I laugh. Unhinged is Melbourne’s hottest nightclub, and I’m not lying. Itiswhere all the cool kids hang out. But that’s not why I love it there. It’s because they have a huge dance floor I can get lost in.

“Deal. You wearing that?” Drew looks me up and down. Eyeing the skirt that reaches my knees and the light-pink blouse that barely hugs my top half. Suitable attire, according to Father Dearest.

“No, I’m heading back to my place. Pick me up in an hour.” I push to my feet and quickly kiss Drew’s cheek before walking out of his apartment and right next door to my own.

We can’t live together. Because, frankly, I’d probably kill him. But we do love being neighbours. Which is why, as soon as we could, we found two apartments side by side. Drew bought both of them. His parents gave him access to his trust fund when he turned eighteen.

I keep offering to pay rent, but he won’t hear it. My father hated that I moved out and told me if I did, he wouldn’t be covering my expenses. He’d never cut me off completely, though. After all, keeping up appearances costs money. And he wants me to be kept up.

“Two more years,” I say to myself as I close my front door. I just have to wait two more years. I can do that. Then I can tell Daddy Dearest where to shove his bullshit.

After rushing through a shower, I dress in a strapless crop top and a pair of black jeans that have me lying on the bed to zip up. Worth it though, because when I stand and look in the mirror, the jeans are hugging every curve like a glove. An inchof pale skin shows beneath my crop top. Tugging on my hair, I let the strands fall down. I really need a haircut. My waist-length strawberry blonde waves are a lot to manage. Maybe I should go for a bob. The thought doesn’t last long though. My hair is the same as hers. My mum’s.

Just as I’m applying a light-pink gloss to my lips, the front door opens. “Honey, I’m home,” Drew calls out.

“In here,” I call back, before sliding the lip gloss into my back pocket.

A low wolf whistle sounds out and I turn to see Drew eyeing me up and down. “Damn, sure you don’t wanna marry me?” he jokes.

“Ew, and never happening.” I push at his shoulder.

“Pity.” Drew shakes his head. I know he’s only joking. He has no interest in me like that. He never has. “You ready?”

“Let’s do this.” I smile, feeling lighter already.

As soon as we walk into the club, I know this is the exact kind of distraction I need. Drew takes hold of my hand and leads me over to the bar. Where he orders for us. “One drink, then I’m going out there.” I point to the dance floor.

“Uh-huh.” Drew nods but his attention is caught on something behind me. I turn around and spot the hot little brunette who’s captured his interest.

“Already?” I groan.

“What? I can’t help that they fall into my lap.” He smirks.

“Okay, come on. Let’s do this.” I grab my drink and walk over, stopping short of the brunette. Then I turn back to Drewand stomp my foot. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. Please don’t leave me. You’re the biggest dick I’ve ever had. I need it!” I yell at the top of my lungs so she and probably everyone else within a metre can hear.

“You didn’t mean to fall into bed with him? My grandfather? Come on, Stacey, you really expect me to believe that?”

“I was giving a dying man his last wish,” I say.

“I can’t. I’m not doing this anymore. First my dad, then my grandfather. It’s over!” Drew shouts.

“Argh, fine. But just so you know, you really do have the biggest dick I’ve ever seen.” I stomp off while smiling into my cup.Five, four, three, two, one.When I chance a look behind me, I see the hot brunette already offering Drew a shoulder to cry on.

Shaking my head, I turn back around and make a beeline for the dance floor.Idiots. That stunt works every time. Call me the world’s best damn wing woman.

Chapter Three

One month later

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