Page 30 of Sin in My Inbox (Sexting Spark #1)

Avery

Dmitri stood at the manor's entrance, his tall frame leaning casually against the ornate iron gate. He'd been up all night dealing with business, and exhaustion clung to him like a shadow.

He rubbed his tired brow, a few strands of blonde hair sticking up messily. The morning light filtered through the sycamore leaves, dappling his face, softening those deep, piercing eyes with a rare gentleness.

Even drained and sleep-deprived, he radiated that effortless mix of elegance and danger that was just him.

My heart ached at the dark circles under his eyes. "Go back inside, Dmitri. You don't have to see me off, especially not with that injury."

"This scratch?" He stopped rubbing his brow, his hand sliding to my cheek, those half-lidded eyes locking onto mine with a warmth that made my knees weak. "Sweetheart, going a day without seeing you—that's the real torture."

His voice, rough with the morning's edge, hit me like a shot of whiskey, smooth and intoxicating .

Goddamn, this man was too much, especially at the crack of dawn.

I leaned into the warmth of his palm, a sweet ache blooming in my chest, but a glance at my watch snapped me back. "Alright, I gotta go. The driver's been waiting forever."

"You heading to the hospital again today?" Dmitri's tone was calm, but my heart skipped a beat.

I met his gaze. No judgment, no suspicion—just soft concern in those eyes. But that gentleness only made the guilt heavier, the weight of my lies pressing on my chest.

"Yeah," I nodded, barely managing the word.

He paused, then asked, "When are you gonna introduce me to this sick friend of yours?"

My pulse raced. He had a way of asking the most disarming questions with that gentle tone, making me feel like the world's worst liar.

"Soon. I think you'll meet soon."

It was an answer to him—and a promise to myself. I couldn't keep hiding the truth forever.

I turned to leave, guilt gnawing at me, but before I could take a step, he pulled me back into his arms. The move was gentle but firm, undeniable.

Then he kissed me, deep and scorching, stealing all the air from my lungs.

His eyes, so close, sparkled with playful mischief.

I knew right then he was teasing me on purpose.

I bit his tongue—hard—the only rebellion I could muster. He let out a muffled grunt and pulled back.

Dmitri brushed his lips, not a hint of anger on his face, just a smug, satisfied grin. "Feisty. I like it. Safe travels, Ella."

I was pissed at how easily he got under my skin. My cheeks burned hot enough to fry an egg.

I didn't argue. I practically bolted to the black sedan waiting at the curb. Even without looking back, I could feel his gaze, heavy and warm, branding my back like a physical touch. No escape.

The driver opened the door with a polite nod, his kind eyes only making my embarrassment worse. My face was on fire now.

Thank God Dmitri's drivers were pros at staying invisible, never saying a word, no matter what they saw .

As usual, I got out in front of the hospital. The second my feet hit the pavement, a faint, prickling sensation crawled over me, like someone was watching. It stung my nerves like a needle.

I glanced around. The sun poured down, the street buzzing with cars and pedestrians. Everything looked normal. No one was staring. Nothing out of place.

Just my imagination? Maybe I was too on edge lately.

Still, unease twisted in my gut, like something bad was coming. I quickened my pace and hurried into the hospital.

When I pushed open the ward door, I froze.

An unfamiliar elderly couple sat there—an old woman peeling an apple, an old man reading a newspaper. My mother, who was supposed to be here, was gone.

Panic clawed at me, my heart pounding like it might burst. A million awful scenarios flooded my mind. Had her condition worsened? Was there an accident?

I grabbed a passing nurse, my voice shaking. "Where's Helena Carter? She was in this ward."

The nurse checked her clipboard and smiled. "Oh, Ms. Carter's been moved to a VIP room on the twelfth floor. Some kind gentleman covered all her expenses."

"A kind gentleman?" My heart raced faster. "Who?"

She shook her head apologetically. "He wanted to stay anonymous. We can't say more. Just head up to twelve—you'll find her."

VIP room? A flicker of dread sparked in me, but I didn't have time to think. I rushed to the elevator, my trembling fingers hitting the button for the twelfth floor.

Every second in that elevator felt like an eternity. My palms were sweaty, a dark premonition spreading in my chest.

The doors slid open. I found my mother's new room and pushed open the heavy door. The sight stopped me cold.

This wasn't a hospital room—it was a damn five-star hotel suite, three times the size of a regular ward.

Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the city skyline, morning sunlight flooding the space with a warm golden glow.

Lilies and roses, still budding, filled the air with an expensive, subtle fragrance.

Top-of-the-line medical equipment hummed quietly around the bed. Leather sofa, silk curtains, solid wood cabinets—everything screamed money.

My mother was propped up on a ridiculously plush bed, looking healthier but utterly confused, her gentle eyes clashing with the room's opulence.

"Mom?" I hurried to her side, shock lacing my voice. "What the hell's going on? How'd you end up here?"

She gripped my hand, just as thrown off as I was. "Last night, the head nurse came by, said some anonymous donor upgraded me to the best room. All expenses paid."

Her voice was thick with worry. "Avery, we can't afford this kind of place. If it's not some charity thing, how are we supposed to pay for this?"

My heart stuttered, my mind flashing back to that watched feeling from earlier. Random acts of kindness this extravagant didn't just happen—not in our world.

I stroked her rough hand, scrambling for an explanation, for her and for myself. "Maybe it's Uncle Ray? I heard his business is doing well lately. Could be he wanted to surprise you but didn't wanna make a big deal. You know him and his ego."

I forced a smile, but inside, I was drowning in panic.

Mom shook her head, her eyes firm. "No way it's Ray. He called last month, stressing about his kid's tuition. No way he's got cash like this. And you know him—if he did something this big, he'd be shouting it from the rooftops."

She was right. Uncle Ray loved to brag. If he'd paid for this, he'd have made sure everyone knew.

A name hit me like a freight train—Dmitri.

Could it be him? His comment this morning about meeting my "friend" echoed in my head, fueling my suspicion.

But I couldn't let Mom worry herself sick over this.

I forced myself to stay calm. "Maybe it's some hospital charity program. I filled out a few surveys the other day. Anyway, this is good, right? Better rest, better care—what's not to like?"

Mom nodded, seeming to buy it for now, her face softening into a faint smile. "Alright, we'll let it go for now. So, Avery, how's it going with that guy of yours?"

The subject change caught me off guard, but at least it pulled her out of that anxious spiral. I took a deep breath, deciding to ease her into the truth. "Yeah, we're doing okay. Maybe when you're feeling better, I'll introduce you."

Her eyes lit up, a joyful smile I hadn't seen in ages spreading across her face. "Oh my God, I can't believe it! You gotta let me know when so I can make myself presentable. Being stuck in this hospital, I've almost forgotten how to look nice."

Seeing her so happy twisted my heart. She was genuinely thrilled for me, but she had no idea her daughter had fallen for a man who was anything but ordinary.

I squeezed her hand, trying to pour strength into her. "You're always gorgeous, Helena Carter. Always."

I took another deep breath, steeling myself for the heavy truth. "But, Mom, I've been lying to him. A big lie."

Her smile faded, but she didn't scold me. She just waited, patting my hand gently, her eyes full of unconditional love and patience, giving me the courage to keep going.

"I've been pretending to be someone else with him," I admitted, my voice shrinking with shame. "Now things are getting serious, and I don't know how to tell him the truth. I'm scared he'll hate me. That he'll leave me."

I paused, the fears I'd buried flooding out. "And I-I can't lose him."

The room went quiet, save for the soft hum of the machines and the distant city noise. Mom's hand stayed warm in mine, no trace of judgment or anger.

When she finally spoke, her voice was gentle. "Avery, real love needs to be built on honesty."

"But what if he can't forgive me?" My voice cracked, tears blurring my vision .

Saying that secret out loud split my heart in two. Half of me felt lighter, finally sharing the burden. The other half curled up in pain, dreading the judgment to come.

At first, it was just a fantasy, a Cinderella story.

I clung to the illusion, too scared to break it.

Then I saw how he dealt with traitors—cold, merciless, not a shred of warmth.

That cruelty locked the truth in my throat, day and night, terrified I'd be next.

Now, I feared his disappointment, his departure.

My lies had snowballed into something I couldn't control. How could I bare my heart to him, admit that this love was built on a rotten lie from the start?

Mom brushed my cheek, wiping away my tears. "Sweetheart, trust your judgment. The man you love—he's got qualities worth loving." Her voice carried a soothing strength. "As your mother, I know you'd never fall for someone who'd trample on a true heart."

"You need to tell him the truth. Sooner the better." She squeezed my hand, grounding me. "Honesty is the foundation of love. Without it, even the best feelings turn to smoke."

"I know, Mom." I nodded hard, a weight lifting slightly. "Once you're better, I'll tell him everything. Whatever happens, I'll face it."