Page 218 of Sinful Lies

I turned my head, catching his gaze.

It was unwavering, as steady as his heartbeat against my back.

“How can you be so sure?” I whispered.

“Because I know you, Jade. And because I won’t let you.”

I didn’t bother with words—I couldn’t. My chest was tight, emotions too big, too overwhelming to cram into a neat little “thank you.”

So, I did the only thing that made sense at the moment.

I grabbed his face, my hands tangling in his hair, and kissed him.

Hard. Deep. And forever.

Chapter

Forty-Nine

“Come sleep with me: We won’t make Love, Love will make us.”

?Julio Cortázar

Jade

I readjusted my mask, making sure it was perfectly in place, then checked my dress.

Everything was flawless.

I was wearing a buttery, white Elie Saab gown, sleek and seductive, with sheer white gloves that barely grazed my wrists, and a mask covering my eyes, decorated in feathers—white and gold. The gold butterfly necklace dangled at my neck, and the tiny “A” choker from Angelo sat snugly.

I stepped out of the condo and took the elevator downstairs, my driver waiting as always, silent and patient.

Tonight was exhibition night—The Fallen Masks. Angelo’s brainchild, a masquerade ball of sorts, but with a twist. It was mandatory to wear Venetian masks and gowns, celebrating the shift into spring.

I couldn’t help but feel a thrill buzz through me—not just because of the exhibition itself, but because this time, I planned toenjoythe night.

My throat tightened as memories of the last masquerade crept in—how I’d shattered Angelo’s trust, how I’d broken him, all while trying to tear us apart.

Sometimes, at night, when everything else was quiet, I’d lay awake, watching him sleep beside me, my fingers brushing over his face. The guilt still clawed at me, and I wondered how he had ever forgiven me. How he could look past all the shit I’d done, and had still found a way to love me.

I’d been running from myself for so long that I still couldn’t believe he wanted me—wantedthis.

But maybe that was the thing about love, right? It didn’t care about your mistakes. It just dug into the darkest parts of you and wrapped around your heart like mercy you didn’t deserve.

I made my way to the driver, who opened the door for me with a quiet nod. I slid into the back seat, the door clicking shut behind me. The car began to move smoothly through the city, but as I settled in, my gaze fell on a small, carefully wrapped gift resting on the seat beside me.

I frowned, curious, before I grabbed it and noticed a card attached.

I tore it open, reading the words written in Angelo’s familiar script:

Your first surprise of the night.

It’s time to use your pain as art, amore mio.

x Angelo

A flutter of excitement ran through me.

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