Page 417 of The Sinner: James

My lips are dry.

“I asked him not to tell you if it didn’t make a difference to him. Apparently, he didn’t. I felt ashamed for getting the money from him, which was another reason I didn’t want to face you or anyone else in our family again.”

“What made you think it would’ve mattered to us?”

A bitter smile pulls at her lips.

“Oh. It would’ve mattered. Believe me. He was the man who ruined our family, and you fell in love with him and married him while I took money from him. Neither Mom nor Dad would’ve liked that.”

I take a deep breath.

“I don’t know what to say. That might’ve been the case back then, but I don’t think anyone cares about it now. They might still think of him as the man who ruined our family, but they all agree their lives are better now.”

A few moments pass.

She talks first.

“James helped me when I needed it the most. And I’m not proud of what I’ve done to you. Anyway, it’s in the past now. I kept my end of the deal as best as possible, although I didn’t know how to be a good sister, and that was a good enough reason not to return your calls.”

10

RAIN

“I’ll be ready around seven,”Eve says.

I glance at the time on my phone.

It’s not even five.

“Do you want me to pick you up?” I ask.

Eve’s voice echoes on the speakerphone.

“We can meet over there. Dress nicely.”

I smile.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I’m taking you to a dance club. Many eyes will be on us, and some will hopefully shift to me. Maybe I’ll get lucky tonight.”

“Are you using me as bait, Missy?”

She chuckles.

“Always.”

“How was your gym workout this afternoon?”

“It was a hardcore, strenuous effort.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I tried to keep up with my instructor to impress him. I think he likes me a little.”

“Ohh.”

“Yes.”

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