Page 283 of The Sinner: James

“What’s your point, Daria?”

“My point is, I wanted to see the change for myself. And here I am at your beautiful residence, finding a woman instead of the girl I used to know. And then, another surprise awaits me at the door. Arms wrapped around your body, and lips pressed against yours. Alexander Harrington, himself, looking like a million bucks. What happened with James Sexton? Was he too busy to fly in this week?”

Taking a long breath, I push up to my feet and stride to her.

I toss my phone on the table, grab my glass of water, turn my back to her, and strut to the open kitchen, evading her eyes.

The sound of running water fills the silence for a minute as I wash the glass.

A few moments later, I turn around and glance at her, patting my hands dry with a kitchen towel.

She pushes out of her chair, heading to me.

Her heels clink-clank against the marble floor before she stops next to the kitchen island and watches me dispose of her cigarette butt.

“You’ve come a long way, little sister. All those years of righteousness have finally come to an end. It turns out you and I aren’t so different. You should thank me for paving the way,” she says, smiling wickedly and oh, so entertained.

I glare at her.

“I guess not...” she continues. “Well, at least we no longer have to lie to each other. I’m glad you finally realized life is not what you thought it was,” she says, her face darkening with a different thought. “By the way, does James know Lex was here tonight?”

I give her an empty gaze.

“Mmm, he doesn’t...” she says, stretching a mischievous smile. “All right, then…”

All of a sudden, in a hurry, she spins around and darts back to the table.

Before I have the chance to say something else, she collects her bag and makes a beeline for the entrance.

“That might change, though,” she tosses at me on her way out, winking at me as she vanishes out the door.

* * *

RAIN

“No, she didn’t,”Eve says, disbelief spreading over her face.

“Yes, she did...” I murmur.

“Your fish fillet, Miss,” the waiter says, sliding the plate onto the table in front of Eve.

“And lobster ravioli with tomato cream sauce for you.”

He sets the second plate in front of me.

“Thank you,” I say as he smoothly pulls away.

Candles sit on the tables, and a soft piano tune floats in the air. The restaurant is also illuminated by small table lamps.

“Mmm... This is delicious,” she says. “How is yours?”

“Perfect. You want a bite?” I say, pushing the plate closer to her.

She picks up a smooth ravioli and pops it into her mouth.

“It’s delicious,” she comments before taking a sip of wine and eating fish again. “So she knew all this stuff about you...” she goes on, reflecting on our conversation.

“Yes.”

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