Page 529 of The Sinner: James

“So, I’ve heard,” she says, a comical expression sliding over her face.

“This is serious business,” I say, trying to de-tense and take it lightly.

A knowing grin tugs at her lips.

“Never in a million years I would’ve thought you’d be so in love with this man,” she says out of the blue.

I toss her a questioning look, and she continues.

“You’re like a dog chasing his tail, never catching it. Yeah... It’s about the babies. Everybody has one, or in Ed’s case, two. But to you, the idea of having his baby is tangled with your hope that he’d be close to you again,” she says softly.

I almost taste my tears.

Her expression changes.

“Oh... I didn’t want to upset you.”

“You’re not upsetting me,” I say, sniffling.

“Please don’t cry.”

“I’m not crying,” I say, offering a fake smile.

“Am I right?” she asks quietly, her fingers rubbing my forearm.

Biting my lip, I nod.

“And you can’t tell him because you’d look like a lunatic, right?”

I nod again.

And then I tilt my gaze down.

“Am I...? A lunatic?”

She stays quiet until I look at her again.

She shakes her head.

“No, you’re not. And I’m so proud of you,” she says, her eyes glinting with emotion. “And him... I would’ve never thought he could make you love him so deeply. That he would take the love you had given him and make it grow, nourishing it, protecting it, and multiplying it… I have no idea what he did, but you are in such a great place, Rain. You don’t even realize it,” she says, her eyes smiling, glinting with tears. “You need to wait for him... Yes, you do. But when he comes back, he’ll make you walk on clouds. Trust me when I say that. It will all be worthwhile.”

17

RAIN

A week later

“Is he coming?”I ask breathlessly as Lex enters the foyer and closes the door behind him.

He tips his gaze up, his blue eyes twinkling with a secret smile.

“Yes,” he says calmly.

“Where is he?”

He glances at his phone and checks a message before looking over my shoulder.

“Everybody's outside,” I say, pointing to the guests. “Is he?” I ask again.

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