Page 104 of Beautiful Sinner

He has his list of contacts but I go to the call from yesterday morning. It’s from an unnamed number.

Without even thinking about it, I press down on the number and wait as it rings.

After four rings, someone answers. “Matteo?”

It’s Inessa. I would recognize her voice anywhere.

I hurry out of bed before Matteo can wake up and into the bathroom where I turn on the shower to drown out my voice.

“Inessa?” I whisper.

“Julia? Are you ok?”

“Yes, I’m ok. I’m calling because you called Matteo. Why?”

“I told him that Connor is still alive and trying to make up lies to Viktor. Viktor doesn’t know what to believe anymore. He doesn’t know if he can trust you or not. I’ve tried telling him that you love Matteo but he’s just not hearing it. He wants you back.”

“I can’t come back. Viktor would just lock me up and I can’t lose Matteo.”

“I wanted to warn Matteo about Connor,” she says. “He’s alive and he’s pissed. Are you near the park we ran into each other on the day of our wedding?”

“Yes. But Connor followed you there.”

“I want to meet. Maybe if we go to Viktor as a united front, he’ll understand.”

“Or he’ll just lock us both up.”

She’s quiet for a moment. “That too. But if I went to you and told him I wasn’t going to return home until he spoke to you rationally, he might finally do it.”

“That’s a big risk. I don’t want to be the cause of your relationship falling apart.”

“You’re not. I’m making this choice of my own accord. I’m tired of this war. I think Viktor is being stubborn and he needs to stop. You were hurt because of Connor, because Viktor can’t see the truth. Let me come to you.”

I hesitate. “How do I know you won’t just tell Viktor where I am if you come here?”

“I didn’t tell him where you were when you married Matteo. Trust me, Julia. I’m not doing this to deceive you. I’m doing this because I want to help. We have to stand together for Viktor to understand. We have to stop lying to him. He has to see that he won’t lose you just because you fell in love with Matteo. And I’m the only other person who can help.”

I believe Inessa. She saved my life once. We were almost kidnapped by this crazy lady when Inessa gave herself up so I could run free. She’s not going to screw me over here.

“Ok. Let’s meet at the same park. But you can’t come to the safehouse. I’m sorry. I have to draw a line somewhere.”

“I understand. We can meet tomorrow morning.”

“Tomorrow morning,” I agree and hang up. I sneak back into the room and place Matteo’s phone right back where it was.

Now I just have to find a way to see Inessa tomorrow without Matteo stopping me. I had to lie to my brother to get what I wanted in life.

And now I’m going to have to lie to my own husband to get the same.

When Matteo is in the shower, I leave him a note that I’m going for a walk in the park and I’ll be back soon. I couldn’t not tell him where I’m going. In case anything goes wrong, he needs to know.

I arrive at the park and wait for Inessa to do the same. There’s a coolness to the air this early in the morning. Winter will start to come. I’m dressed in another of Matteo’s shirts and boxers since I don’t have any clothes of my own. Matteo promised to buy me some today. I feel the sting of guilt hit me. He’s just trying to take care of me and I’m lying to him.

I finally see Inessa and jump to my feet. She hurries to my side.

“I’m not sure how much time I have,” she says. “Viktor will notice me missing soon enough. Are you ok?”

“My arm is fine. Sore but fine.”