Page 82 of The Sinner: James

“Can’t you stop it?”

He breathes a chuckle, his eyes trained on the view.

“I don’t want to… I’m nothing. I’m not self-righteous. I don’t judge. I don’t believe in anything. That’s who I am. The world is what it is, and it’s not my place to play God.”

“You believe in money...” I say.

He looks at me and smiles.

“I grew up with it. That’s all I know.”

He turns to me and slides his hand over my shoulder.

“Let’s pick up Ed and Lex,” he says.

“Wait.”

We connect eyes, but I need a moment to find my words.

“Have you...? Have you seen my dad by any chance?”

The light dies out in his eyes, feeding my worst fears.

“Let’s go, Rain,” he says, gripping my arm, suddenly in a rush to pull me away from this.

“James… Have you?”

He doesn’t stop. I root my feet to the floor, bringing him to a halt.

He glances at me, his brow furrowed. As if I needed another confirmation.

“Oh, my God... You have,” I murmur.

I pull my arm out of his lock.

He grabs me again.

“Let’s go,” he barks.

I don’t move, tears blurring my eyes.

“I need to know the truth,” I mutter in a broken voice.

He stays silent, his eyes sinking into mine, no words coming from his lips.

“Please, James…”

His hands slide to my shoulders. He tilts his head down, his eyes holding mine.

“There is no truth to tell.”

“You’ve seen him here. Why can’t you just say it?” I ask, tears trickling down my face.

“It’s not my place to open your eyes. You have to do it on your own.”

“When? Tell me when you saw him?” I beg.

His eyes turn dark.

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