Page 83 of Relentless Sinner

It terrifies me to think I may be in love with him, yet I know that I sound like I am.

Is this the way love works?

So powerfully and so quickly?

We haven’t known each other for long but it feels like we’ve shared several lifetimes.

It feels foolish to be twenty-four years of age and not recognize something so simple as love. I wouldn’t, though, because I’ve never been in love before. My father blocked anything that felt close in its tracks.

But nothing I’ve ever felt with anyone has been close to this feeling in my heart for a man who stole me away from my life.

The truth is my enemy and my friend. But no one can serve two masters. Loyalty to one will always overpower the other. In my case it’s the tipping scale of the truth. It’s leaning moretoward being my enemy because Jaxon has more bad about him than good.

I have a chance to leave. I know that regardless of this feeling in my heart, if I don’t try, I’ll always regret it. I’ll always wonder what could have happened.

I know it works the other way around, too. I’ll wonder what my life could have been like if I’d stayed with him. It’s just that fighting for my freedom means I took back control of my life.

That can’t be wrong. Wanting control of my life and not being shackled to a contract my father forced me to signdoesn’tfeel wrong.

If that’s true then maybe, just maybe, the plan might work.

That’s the part I have to believe.

“Morning, Gabriella,” Eve says, walking up to me.

I pull my gaze away from the window, look at her, and place a smile on my face. It’s time to actually start playing the game. “Morning.”

“I thought I’d come and see if you were in the mood for a full breakfast or something lighter?” She gives me her usual good-natured smile.

“I’ll have a full breakfast. It’s going to be a long day at the hospital.”

“Of course, dear. I’ll make some of your favorites.”

“Thanks. I’ll be down in about fifteen minutes.”

“That’s perfect. See you then.”

She saunters away and I glance back through the window.

I’ll eat, get ready, then I’ll pack.

I’m sorry, Jaxon, but I can’t stay with you. Dad was right. You’re not my savior and I can’t pretend you are no matter what I feel for you.

I walk down the long wide hall leading to the hospital’s loading bay, my soul quivering with unease and nerves.

It’s time. Time to enact the plan.

It’s seven in the evening. My shift ends at eight. I’m supposed to get to the loading bay in time for the laundry shipment. The guards think I’m going down there to help with the stock take. They can’t follow me here because only staff can go past a certain point, so they’re near the entrance on the other side.

I lied my ass off at lunchtime after I read the instructions Cora’s people left for me in my locker. I lied, and I couldn’t believe my luck when Andrieu believed me.

I also can’t believe I made it this far. Not the distance. But actually going through withthe plan.

I’ve been trying to stay focused and act natural all day.

I was my usual self with Eve and with Julie. Neither of them suspected I was saying goodbye forever when I left them. As Julie finished at five, I’ve been working with another nurse who knows me just as well, so when I told her I was going to help with the laundry shipment she thought nothing of it. She was grateful because it was one less job for someone to worry about when they’re already running a tight shift.

The satchel on my shoulder and the clothes on my back are all I have until I’m on the move. Needless to say I had to pack incredibly light and only take what was necessary.