Page 39 of Relentless Sinner

“Are you ready to meet the seamstress?”

No. I’m not, but what choice do I have? The seamstress is coming by today to fit my wedding dress. After that I’ll see Cora. “Sure, I’m ready.”

“Perfect.” Eve gazes out to the pool where Jaxon is still talking it up with the woman and smiles. “Jaxon likes to have a good swim before he heads off on his business trips.”

I look back at the woman still talking to Jaxon. “Who is that with him?”

Eve stares at me, catching the concern in my tone. “That’s Estelle, his assistant from Bortsov Tech. Looks like they’re catching up on business.”

I want to ask her if that’s what it really looks like to her but I hold my tongue. I would have thought that any business-related catching up could have been done over the phone or at the office. And when Jaxon had more clothes on.

There’s no wayEstelleis talking to him without ogling his body.

“Is she going away with Jaxon?”

Eve smiles. “Always. She’s like his wing woman.”

Why am I not surprised? And from where I’m standing she looks like she’s a little more than a wing woman.

Oh God. Listen to me. What kind of craziness has come over me? I’m not supposed to care. And Idon’t.Not about him or her.

Jaxon isn’t mine. And I am not his, regardless of this stupid contract.

This whole arrangement is crazy and the sooner I can get out of it and away from everyone here, the better. I’m praying I can talk to Cora about that.

“Come on. I made us some cookies. We can munch on those while we wait for the seamstress.”

“Okay, thanks.”

She waves me forward and I follow, glancing back at Jaxon over my shoulder. I’m surprised to find him staring at me again.

This is the last I’ll see of him until he returns.

I need to remember who he is and that no matter what he says, I’m a thing to him. An asset worth two hundred billion dollars. If I don’t find a way out by next Saturday, I’ll become his wife.

I look away, deciding to focus. Staying focused is my only hope. If I lose that I’ll truly be lost.

The moment I walk out onto the terrace and my gaze lands on Cora sitting on the wicker chair the weight of everything I’ve been through pulls me under.

All the strength I’ve built to keep myself together vanishes in an instant and I run toward her, needing my cousin more than ever.

Cora is on her feet, too, rushing toward me, her face twisted in a mass of emotions.

We meet each other halfway and I fall into her waiting arms. Then I crumble.

The sobs break free from that fragile place deep inside me that’s been shattered by what I’ve been through.

I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. There’s too much to talk about and I’m not a crier. But my God, I’m only human. If I’m not affected by all the crazy shit that’s happened in just this one month I’m no better than a robot.

I’m glad I can have this moment to release the angst that’s been brewing in my soul.

Eve allowed me the grace of meeting with Cora outside instead of the living room, where I’d met my father. It was she who offered.

There are also no guards around. I know that doesn’t mean we’re not being watched but, again, that illusion of privacy I need is there.

“Gabriella?” Cora whispers into my ear, holding me closer.

“Oh, Cora,” I manage, my voice shaky and raw. Then I bury my face into her shoulder and she holds me like she’s never letting go.