Page 19 of Betrayed By Sin

“What?”

“Did she know who I was the whole time?”I demand, my voice unsteady.“Did she look me in the eye, act like my friend, while knowing…”

“No.”His answer is immediate, firm.“She didn’t know.”

I stare at him, searching for the lie, but there isn’t one. Sin never lies to me.

I swallow hard, my hands curling into fists at my sides.“And now?”

Something flickers in his expression, something uncertain.“Now she does.”

A lump forms in my throat.“And?”

Sin hesitates.

For the first time since I walked in, he looks away. His fingers flex at his sides, like he’s fighting something inside him. When he finally speaks, his voice is quieter.“She’s scared you hate her.”

I blink. The words don’t make sense at first.“What?”

His gaze finds mine again, raw and unguarded.“She didn’t betray you, Magnolia. But she thinks you’ll never forgive her anyway.”He exhales sharply.“She’s afraid she lost you.”

Bria, who pulled me into her world, who made me laugh when I had nothing, who swore we were family,thinks I hate her.

I press my fingers to my temple, trying to breathe.“She… she’s the only person I had left.”My voice cracks.“And she thinks I hate her?”

Sin nods once.“She does.”

My chest tightens. I should be angry. I should tell him that Bria had no right to keepanythingfrom me. But all I can think about is the way she used to look at me, like I belonged. Like she’d fight the world for me.

I shake my head, swallowing against the ache in my throat.“I don’t.”

Sin watches me carefully.“You should tell her that.”

I nod slowly, but my thoughts are already slipping, unraveling. Because Bria might be afraid I hate her.

But Sin?

SinknowsI should hate him. And yet, here I am.

“She is safe to pass the treaty, just like me.”

He scoffs, “I’m not allowing my little sister anywhere near that fucking…” he stops himself from finishing that sentence. “I’m in uncharted waters here Magnolia. I don’t trust them.”

“They’re my family.”

He flinches, the words cutting deep, but he doesn’t argue. He just stands there, his shoulders slumped, his eyes filled with regret. “and they… they are my enemy.”

I’m back at the Rusco estate, my new home. The clock in the hallway chimes softly, marking the late hour. The house is quiet, but I can’t sleep. My mind won’t let me.

I step into the dimly lit sitting room, wrapping my robe around me. I’m not alone.

Cameron stands near the window, a glass in his hand, the ice inside melting into amber liquid. He doesn’t look surprised to see me.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asks.

I shake my head."Neither can you."

A small smirk plays at his lips."Like brother, like sister."