Page 12 of Sins of Bliss

“I know,” I whisper.

“Then tell me what holds you back. You are the last person I expected to walk through that hospital door, yet here you are. When you did not show up at the park that day, it broke my heart. Yet, you show up here, months later, just to ensure I am alive. Explain it to me, Vincenza, because I feel there is a part of the story I’m missing.”

Standing, I walk to the window. Sly’s room overlooks the hospital’s parking lot, which is quiet for this hour. We’re both silent as I stare ahead, focused on one of the lights.

I’m caught between the truth and a lie. So desperately, I long to tell him the truth, but with the truth comes the danger and, nodoubt, the retaliation he’d want to act upon. With the lie comes further heartbreak when I walk away.

This could very well be the end of us.

The decision is made in my mind before I truly realize it is. I have to continue to lie, as much as it breaks my heart to do so.

They say the truth will set you free, butthistruth will only threaten to break our wings. I cannot let the man I love seek retribution for my actions, which I know Sly would gladly take.

My heart is heavy, slowly sinking to the pit of my stomach as my eyes fill up with tears again. When I found out Sly was in the hospital, I didn’t stop to think. I just reacted and did what I could to get here. I hadn’t thought about this conversation, or the way it would make either of us feel. I acted purely on emotion, and now I fear I might have made a mistake in coming here.

Trembling, I close my eyes and will myself to make the most of the time I’m here for, knowing it may be the last time I see him. My fingers reach up to my neck, and play with the necklace I’m wearing.

A locket.

One I purchased right after Sly left. I had the jeweler engrave a simple S on the back of the gold heart-shape. The locket hangs around my neck, pictureless.

Empty.

It feels symbolic of how I feel, somehow.

I hardly recognize my own voice when the lie slips from my lips and a lone tear falls over the rim of my lashes. “There’s nothing to explain. Sometimes things just don’t work out like we hope.”

And just like that, I feel the glimmer of hope completely extinguish.

Chapter 5

Sly

Time stands still, my heart galloping against my rib cage like a wild stallion set loose for the first time.

Vinnie stares out the window, pretending to be more interested in what’s outside than our conversation, but I know her tells. I know when she wants me toseeher, and when she doesn’t.

“Look at me,” I command, my voice unwavering despite the fear settling into my heart.

The rumble of the hospital room's air conditioning unit stirs as I wait for her to turn, clashing against her silence.

Something about her behavior isn’t settling right within me. It’s so unlike the woman I grew to know, and though we’ve had months between us, a person doesn’t change their core values and personality without reason.

The woman in front of me is not the Vincenza I asked to run away with me.

Alarm bells ring in my head, and I study her as I wait for her to turn to me as I requested. When it’s clear she isn’t going to, I push again. “Vinnie.”

This time, as I say her name, her eyes squeeze shut.

What is going on in my piccola ladra’s mind?

Unease sends a shock wave through my system, a frigid blast akin to that of cold water. My fingers tingle, my entire body fighting a jolt at the upsetting realization that something is extremely off with her.

Finally, Vinnie faces me. I take in her appearance. The slight rosy tint on the apples of her cheeks, the tip of her nose. The faint stain of makeup tracked down her cheeks.

She's been crying. This entire time she’s refused to look at me, my piccola ladra has been fighting silent demons and weeping quiet tears.

The pain on her face speaks volumes, ricocheting from her heart to mine.

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