Page 79 of Merciless Sinner

"The Olivia you knew did so much. I can't do any of that stuff as she did. Like Harvard. God, that feels like such a dream. I remember when I was working at the coffee house in Monte Carlo, I was so happy to just have a stable job. I can't imagine doing anything academic that required the level of skill people tell me I used to have, and I definitely can't imagine being that smart.” I feel like I'm opening up, probably in ways that I haven't with Amelia.

“You’re the same Olivia." He nods. "I think the fact that you managed to hide and keep yourself safe for two and a half years is a big deal you shouldn't ignore, especially with somebody like me looking for you."

"I suppose so." I see what he means.

"And I see you," he states.

"What do you mean?"

"I can still see you. When I look at you, I see the same person inside. She's just been through different, difficult things. She grew up and became even more amazing than anyone ever thought. That's the girl I looked for and found." His words warm my heart in a way I can't describe other than to say that he’s really looking at me. Not thinking of me as my old self.

"That means a lot." I give him a soft smile of appreciation.

"It's the truth, Zayka." He looks away and focuses on the road again.

My thoughts go back to us and this new path I'm on where I have a husband.

We arrive at the beach house an hour later, and it's beautiful. I get out of the car, and my eyes are glued to the beautiful crystal-blue sea ahead of us. I love the sea in Monte Carlo, but this is different. This has an idyllic feel to it that makes you want to immerse yourself in the water.

"You like it?" Virgo asks.

"I do. It looks great." I switch my gaze to the beach house, which is a two-story modern-looking house with a porch. The paths around it all lead down to the sandy beach, where the waves breathe in and out against the shore.

Virgo walks around to me. "Let's grab something to eat. Then we'll go out on the sea and do some swimming." He points to a sailboat, and I gasp.

"I don't mind going out on the boat, but I don't swim."

"Is that because you don't want to orthinkyou can't?"

I chuckle. "I'm not sure. I don't think I can, so I haven't tried."

"Don't worry. I'll teach you.Again."

"Again?" I widen my eyes. "You taught me to swim before?"

"Yes. You were convinced that goblins live in the water. You'd only ever get in with me."

"Goblins?" I laugh.

"You were seven, but that's how I ended up teaching you to swim, and you're very good at it. You used to be on the swim team in high school."

“My God, another thing I didn't know about myself.”

“And there's so much more. Come on, let's go." He extends his hand to me.

I stare down at it and study at the wedding band around his finger, the same as mine.

I give him my hand. As he covers it with his, warmth sinks into me, and I feel like I'd follow him wherever he wanted me to go.

* * *

Being out on the water with Virgo is like nothing else.

After we had a big feast prepared by Janice, a gourmet chef Virgo hired, we headed out in the sailboat. Now we're in the middle of the sea and so far away from land that I can't see the beach house. All around me is blue. I've got my arms secured around his neck while we drift with the waves.

Virgo has taught me a few things, and now I can float, but I don't trust myself to let go of him or move too far away from him.

"Just keep steady." He smiles.

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