Corrupted by Sin

CHAPTER ELEVEN

I lay in bed next to Linus, my head resting on his chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat.

I'm lost in my thoughts, trying to come to terms with the fact that I'm in love with my boss.

Linus's voice breaks through my thoughts. "Who do you want to invite to the wedding?"

I don't reply.

I listen to the sound of his breathing as he waits for an answer.

He speaks again, "Do you need me to arrange anything for your family's travel to the wedding day?"

Still, I remain silent.

My head still resting on his chest.

I feel Linus looking at me, and he moves up a bit. "Eve, are you okay?"

Finally, I speak. "I don't think I'm going to invite anyone from my part."

There's a moment of silence before Linus responds, "Why not?"

"Because I don't think anyone will come," I say softly, still not looking at him.

More silence follows.

"I don't need you to feel bad for me, Linus."

"I don't," he replies. "But if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know."

I nod.

I feel his hand stroke my hair gently...

...and it's comforting.

"Linus, are you going to introduce me to your family?"

"Of course," he replies without hesitation. "You're my soon-to-be wife, Eve."

I swallow hard, "But..."

Linus doesn't let me finish. "I'm planning a dinner with my mom, stepfather, and stepsister so they can meet you."

I face him, lifting my head from his chest. "You said you didn't have siblings."

"Camilla is my stepfather's daughter. She has no blood connection to me," he explains.

I nod slowly and then ask, "Do you have a great relationship with them?"

Linus looks at me for a moment, contemplating his answer. "I'm very close to my mom, yes," he says. "I'm not the biggest fan of my stepfather, but that's not for me to decide."

I'm surprised he's sharing so much with me, to be honest.

I take the opportunity and ask him more. "How long have they been together?"

Linus chuckles. "Because I told you my dad died two years ago, and you don't understand why my mom is already with someone else?"

I shake my head quickly. "No, that's not what I meant. I was just curious."

"My parents divorced a long time ago," he tells me. "They weren't together anymore when my dad passed away."

I press my lips together and lay back down on his chest. "I wish I was close to my mom as well."

"What happened between you two?" Linus asks gently.

"I was never the favorite child," I admit. "My sister was always the pearl of my mom's eyes... she was always so proud of her and so disappointed in me."

I feel a tear roll down my cheek, and I quickly wipe it away. "And let's say it only got worse after the scandal of my previous life..."

Linus takes a deep breath. "I don't understand how that's possible. She should be proud of you... I surely am."