Page 33 of The Sinner: James

And it makes so much sense now––her anger and morbid jealousy.

Of course, it does.

A slow smile creases my lips, driving her crazy.

“Oh, I’m sorry…” I say, feigning concern for her. “How could I be so blind? You’d like to fuck him.”

Her eyes go dark while a devilish laugh falls from my lips.

“Stupid me. For a moment there, I thought you’d cared for me,” I say, thoroughly amused.

“He’s a dangerous man, Rain.”

“He must be,” I sneer. “Why else would he not fuck you? But that aside, there’s something else I don’t understand,” I say facetiously. “Why would you want him if you’re getting married in a few short months?”

Her cheeks are flushed while sickening frustration darkens her eyes.

I nod slowly.

“Oh... Wait. I know why... It’s his money, isn’t it? He’s rich, and he has way more money than Nathan. What am I saying? There’s no comparison, really. Is that what this is?” I ask rhetorically before pulling away from her.

It’s a miracle she stays quiet.

“Thanks for warning me, though,” I hurl over my shoulder. “Although you shouldn’t have bothered. James Sexton and I live on different planets. There’s no need to lose your sleep over me. I’m nothing to him. Keep chasing new ideas, Daria. Tomorrow is another day, and maybe you’ll get lucky.”

6

RAIN

That evening.

“Areyou sure this is the road to their house?” I ask as we leave the town behind and follow a narrow path.

There’s no house in sight, and we haven’t seen any for the past ten minutes.

“It’s the only road leading there,” Eve says.

My heart pounds faster.

It’s exciting and yet so frightening.

A sparkling new moon glows over the meadows, the silence growing all around us.

I lose confidence in our plan as we get closer to the property and travel farther away from the town.

I’m no longer sure this is a good idea. It sounded like the beginning of a great adventure. But it feels less and less like that as we venture farther away from the area we grew up in.

I wish I was back home, tucked under the covers, watching TV or talking with Eve on the phone, instead of pedaling up this empty road with no people or houses in sight.

“There. You see the lake?” Eve says, trying to be optimistic about it.

She points to the stretch of water gleaming under the starry sky. I look in that direction, the crisp breeze sending a shiver down my spine.

Brr… It’s fucking cold.

It’s even chillier as we get closer to the lake.

I should’ve brought a jacket.

---