Page 87 of Heartless Sinner

I don’t like her tone and what she’s implying.

“They probably did cover for each other. The way we do.” Genevieve’s voice slices through Eloise’s insinuation like a hot knife through butter, saving me again. “We’re family. And let’s not kid ourselves. We are La Cosa Nostra. We cover for worse things. But I’m sure you can agree that there are some situations like your recent pregnancy scandal with the governor that no one can cover for.”

Holy shit. Micah’s mom is on fire.

I can now definitely see that bite in her and what she meant by she would deal with things if she had to. I also think Micah is letting her deal with the situation, which is actually better than if he defended me.

“Genevieve, maybe we shouldn’t bring up such things now,” Giovanni says, looking extremely uncomfortable at his wife’s remarks.

“Oh, sweetheart, all of New York knows about what Eloise is up to. She was in the papers herself telling the world how much she loved the governor while his wife and kids were trying to save their marriage. Whywouldn’twe discuss that at the dinner table if she thinks she should be messy and disrespectful to our future daughter-in-law?”

Jesus.I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like her.

Giovanni opens his mouth to speak, but no words come. At that moment, I see that while he may be the king of the empire, Genevieve is the queen. The most powerful piece on the chessboard.

“I’m sorry. I mean no disrespect,” Eloise says, but it’s clear the apology is just for show.

“Yes, you did dear, but thank you for saying sorry.” Genevieve gives her a cutting stare then seconds later, shebecomes a Stepford Wife again and smiles at everyone as if nothing ever happened. “With that out of the way, would anyone like more ice cream?”

I look at Micah, who gives me a wink.

I was so worried about tonight, but his mom definitely turned things around.

I’m glad she likes me.

Chapter Twenty

Scarlett

Micah and I walk up the stairs toward our bedroom. The thick carpet muffles our footsteps, but each creak of the ancient wooden floorboards beneath seems to echo the tension between us. Moonlight streams through the tall windows, casting long shadows that dance across the walls like spectral observers.

We just got back home. The night air still clings to our clothes, carrying the faint scent of rain and late autumn leaves.

He's holding my hand the way he did on the journey home in the car, his grip firm yet gentle, his thumb occasionally brushing across my knuckles in a way that sends shivers down my spine. His palm is warm against mine, a stark contrast to the cool evening air that followed us inside.

We're still silent, even though it feels like a million questions fill the space between us and the weight of unspoken words lingers in the air, making each breath feel heavy with anticipation.

The evening ended well despite the sour encounter with Eloise, but her perfectly painted smile still cuts deep into me.

After dinner, she and her family left, and I spent the rest of the evening with Genevieve, Belinda, and Clarissa. While the men hung out playing poker and drinking, we went to Genevieve's chambers, where they asked me all sorts of things about my acting career.

It felt great to be immersed in such an engaging atmosphere where people genuinely wanted to get to know me. It was even better given the fact that I'm Micah's fiancé and they haven't known me for very long. Their laughter still echoes in my mind, a balm against the earlier tension.

But the question of Eloise hangs in the air like a thick fog of smoke. It wasn't appropriate for me to ask Micah about her while we were still at his parents’ house. But it is now that we're alone. The grandfather clock in the hallway ticks away the seconds, each sound like a hammer against my racing thoughts.

Micah guides me into the bedroom, where he releases my hand and loosens his tie. The silk makes a soft whisper as it slides against his collar. I close the door behind me and walk in, stopping in the center of the room. While he leans against the wall and stares back at me, his dark eyes reflecting the warm glow from the bedside lamp, his shoulders are tense beneath his tailored jacket, the material pulling slightly across his broad frame.

"Ask me," he says in a gentle voice. The words seem to resonate through the room, making the air itself vibrate with possibility.

I know I don't need to clarify what he means. He's talking about Eloise. That elephant has grown between us since she dropped the bomb that she was his ex.

I bring my hands together, lacing my fingers, and gaze at him, deciding there are no right words to say, only the basic questions that's been floating around in my mind.

"Why was your ex there tonight?" There, I said it.

He sighs a long, heavy sigh and rests his head back on the wall. Then his lips part to answer, but he pauses for a few more seconds as if contemplating what to say. Then finally, he speaks. "Eloise and her family have always been close to mine. Her father is best friends with my father."

"You guys sound really close."

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