Page 527 of The Sinner: James

She studies my expression for a moment.

“What is the real problem here, Rain?”

“There is no problem,” I toss at her, annoyed.

“Yes, there is. He did something, didn’t he?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“James.”

“No, he didn’t.”

“Why are you trying to get his attention?”

“Trying to get his attention? Me? No. You got this wrong. It has nothing to do with him or me.”

“It has everything to do with him and you. You don’t need to focus on your company right now. You just said it. It’s doing well. Yeah, it might be a good time to sell, but it may also be a good time to expand. Regardless,” she says, gesturing, frustrated. “This is not about your business. You’re restless and feel like doing something––anything––even if it’s rushed or wrong. You want to meet David and talk to him about it, and that’s fine––from a business point of view, anyway––but you could let James handle it instead of going behind his back. But no. You want him angry over stupid shit because you want him to focus on you. That’s why I’m asking you. What did he do?”

“He didn’t do anything.”

“Why are you looking for trouble, then?”

“I’m not.”

She searches my eyes for a few moments.

“Why don’t you sit on your butt and tell him to sell your company if you want to send a message to him? Whatever that message is. It’s still unclear to me,” she says, sinking her dessert spoon into her cheesecake.

I stare blankly at her lips.

“I thought you had a good time in Monaco,” she says.

“We did have a good time.”

“But?”

“There’s something else,” I say in a strained voice.

“I knew it,” she murmurs, smiling. “What is it?”

I hesitate for a moment.

“I might not be able to get pregnant.”

Her spoon makes a smooth landing on her plate.

“Wait a minute... Have I missed something? Can you back up a little? Since when are you trying to get pregnant? Are you trying?”

“I’ve been off the pill for almost two months.”

“And that’s enough to draw this conclusion?”

“It’s not only my conclusion. We saw a specialist in Monaco.”

“We?”

“Yes.”

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