Page 113 of Merciless Sinner

“Why did you do it? I don't get it. I don't get it at all.” I smirk without humor. “Why would you do something like that to me knowing how I felt about Virgo? You know we were talking about marriage. And you did that?” The venom in my voice is evident. As evident as the sun in the sky.

“I know.” She looks down in shame. “I can't take that back. But I'll explain. I'm guessing Virgo told you about the marriage contract we had when we were kids.”

“He did.” I straighten. I didn't like hearing about that, but I assumed I must have known at some point.

“Way back when, my father and his were close. The marriage contract was arranged because my father's business was booming. Virgo’s father thought the business match would be beneficial to our families. Then my father lost his business, and Virgo's father severed the arrangement between them. When I tried to seduce Virgo, my father was in trouble again. He was on the verge of bankruptcy, and we were about to lose everything. I freaked out. I went to Virgo, and I thought...” She pauses for a minute, then pulls in a breath. “I thought if I could seduce him to marry me, I'd fix everything for my family.”

Because we'd then have the money we needed. So you thought you'd screw me over. I understand what she's saying, but I also understand that she shoved me to the back of beyond for her own selfishness.

“I wasn't thinking, Olivia. I panicked, and I did the only thing I thought I could do. You will never know how sorry I am. On the day of the attack, you messaged me to let me know you knew what happened. I never got to see you to apologize. All these weeks, I feared you'd remember and hate me. I wanted to show you that I could be a friend to you when you needed me most. That's why I've been around so much.” She dabs the tears that finally come.

Seeing her this way softens my heart. Shehasbeen there for me. I trusted her with my innermost feelings about Virgo and my worries. I even trusted her with the information about where I was all these years and what happened to me in Monte Carlo.

If I was being truly honest, I'd have to accept that she has been trying to show that she's a friend, but I'm still hurt.

“I'm not going to ask you to forgive me.” She speaks in a low, calm voice. “But I am going to ask for a chance. You don't have to answer me today. Take some time to think about it. And if you think you could find it in your heart to just give me a chance, maybe we could still meet on Friday for the museum exhibition.”

Friday would give me a few days to think. Surely I can do that.

“Okay,” I agree. “I'll think about it.”

She sighs and relief floods her face. “Thank you so much. It means everything to me. It really does. And I am truly, truly sorry, Olivia.”

“Yeah, I hear you.”

“How are you otherwise?” She regains her former compassionate composure. “We haven't spoken since you remembered what happened to your parents.”

I shake my head. “I'm not good. I remembered everything that happened, except who did it. It was horrific. Absolutely horrific. She purses her lips together.”

“I'm sorry. I think I'll get closure when I remember the person who is responsible for taking them from me.”

“It sounds like you're getting close,” she offers. “At least you've remembered the worst parts. And maybe you don't have to be afraid anymore.

Those words sound wise, so I nod, but I decide that this is enough.

I can't stay here and listen to her offer me these words of wisdom and compassion when I feel this angst in my soul for what she did.

“I have get back.” I push to my feet just as she was about to say something else.

“Okay, I hope I see you again.”

The hope in her voice pinches my soul.

“We'll see.” I nod, then leave.

I’ll have to wait for Friday to see how I feel.

Right now, I don't have the strength for anything.

* * *

“How did it go?” Virgo asks, coming over to me. He just got back home.

I sit up against the headboard and stare at him, wondering exactly what I'm supposed to say to answer that question.

I got back from seeing Amelia about six hours ago. It's night now and I still feel the same torment in my soul.

“It didn't go well,” I tell him.

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