Chapter 27
Corine
The morning sun filtered gently through the thick windows of the facility, casting long golden rays across the tiled floor. I stood by the mirror, brushing my fingers over the loose strands of my hair. Visiting day. My chest felt tight, like someone was pressing down on it, but there was a quiet flutter underneath-a nervous anticipation.
Kyle was four now. Four. And Astrid was eight months. My babies. The only thing that had kept me tethered to the earth when everything else felt like it was slipping through my fingers.
I waited in the lounge for my mother. She had texted that they were through the gates and being checked in. The hospital did a good job of ensuring discretion, especially for patients like me. People who had faces the public would love to scrutinize, whisper about, click cameras at. They called them "celebrity private hours," and it meant I could hold my babies without fear of flashing bulbs or gawking eyes.
When the doors opened, my heart leapt. Kyle burst through first, his tiny legs running as fast as they could carry him. "Mommy!"
I dropped to my knees, arms wide open. "Kyle!"
He crashed into me, arms tight around my neck. His little body was warm, solid, real. A moment later, my mom walked in, cradling Astrid in her arms, who babbled the moment she saw me.
"There she is," Mom said gently, passing Astrid into my waiting arms. I buried my face in her soft curls, breathing her in, trying to memorize her weight and warmth all over again.
We decided not to stay in the celebrity wing this time. I wanted the sun, the grass, the fresh air. The facility had a secluded garden just beyond the therapy halls-a lush, carefully manicured space with high stone walls and no windows from the outside world. Security guarded the entrances, but you wouldn't know unless you looked. It was peaceful.
We spread a blanket on the lawn. Kyle chased butterflies. Astrid clapped her hands as I blew raspberries on her tummy. My mom sat beside me, handing me a small bottle of water.
"You look better," she said.
I smiled softly. "Some days are better than others."
"Today is one of the better ones," she whispered, squeezing my hand.
Just as I leaned back to stretch, a movement to my left caught my eye. Brittany. She walked slowly across the grass with a man beside her. Tall, broad-shouldered, with warm olive skin that caught the sunlight in all the right ways. He wore a dark blue sweater that clung slightly to his torso, and his hair was a tousled mess of soft brown curls. His eyes were deep-a shade I couldn't define from the distance, but they were striking. Kind. Familiar.
There was a resemblance. Brittany's. Of course.
I wasn't really into politics so I didn't Brittany had a sibling much less a brother.
Her eyes locked with mine, and she smiled-genuine, even a little excited.
"Corinne!" she called, breaking into a light jog with the man beside her.
Kyle clung to my leg, suddenly s
I'mhy. Astrid giggled in my lap.
"Hey," I said, rising as Brittany reached me. "You're out early."
"Special visit," she said brightly, eyes darting to my kids. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the walk. She looked more alive than usual, less haunted. The man beside her lingered quietly, offering a small nod.
"This is Jasper Ashford," Brittany said, gesturing toward him. "My brother. My older brother and the boring Ashford. He came to visit today."
Jasper shook his head at her introduction and offered his hand. I took it.
It was just a handshake. Just a second. But something shifted. A soft, quiet spark-the kind you don't expect when you're not looking for anything. I met his eyes and offered a polite smile, trying not to overthink the moment.
"Nice to meet you," I said.
"You too," he replied with a soft voice, warm and measured.
He looked down at Kyle and Astrid. "Your kids?"
"Yes. This is Kyle, and this little one is Astrid."
Kyle peeked out from behind my leg, eyes curious. Brittany crouched beside him.
"Hey, little guy," she said softly. "I like your shoes."
Kyle looked at her, then at me. I gave him a nod, and he smiled. "They light up when I run. Want to see?"
Brittany laughed lightly, the sound fragile but lovely. "Definitely."
He bolted across the grass, stomping with every step to make the lights flash. Brittany clapped her hands, delighted. She didn't ask me if she could pick up Astrid; she simply sat next to me and waited. Astrid wriggled in my arms, reaching toward her.
"You can take her," I said, gently transferring her. Brittany beamed.
"She's so soft," she whispered, cuddling Astrid close. Her voice took on a lullaby cadence, soft and dreamy. "Like a little marshmallow baby."
"She's teething," I warned. "She might chew on you."
"I don't mind," Brittany said.
Jasper was talking with my mom now, politely, his body angled away. Giving us space.
Brittany looked up at me suddenly. "You look different when you smile."
"In a good way, I hope."
She nodded. "You should smile more. It makes your eyes look... less tired."
We sat in silence for a moment. Kyle returned, flushed and panting, and collapsed beside Brittany.
"You're fast," she told him.
"I practice," he said seriously. "I want to be a superhero."
"I think you already are."
He beamed.
I watched her closely. She was calm today. Collected. But there was always something behind her eyes, like she was halfway between two versions of herself. Sometimes she spoke with childlike wonder. Sometimes she was just... gone. Staring into space. Lost.
"Do you like it here?" I asked quietly.
Brittany nodded, still holding Astrid. "It's quiet. The walls don't yell. People don't look at me like I'm broken. Just... folded. Like paper."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Folded can be unfolded."
Her eyes met mine. A beat passed.
"You're nice to me," she said.
"Because you're easy to be nice to."
"You don't ask about my family. Or the news. Or what I did. Everyone else does."
"I don't want to know those things. Not unless you want to tell me."
She looked down at Astrid, who was now drooling contently on her sweater.
"Maybe someday."
The sun was starting to dip, and Jasper gave a small wave from a distance, signaling he was heading out. Brittany gently handed Astrid back to me.
"I'll see you at dinner?" she asked.
"Yeah," I said softly. "I'll save you a seat."
She smiled and followed her brother out of the garden.
I looked at my mom, who was already watching me with a small, knowing smile.
"He's handsome," she said casually.
I rolled my eyes. "Mom."
"I'm just saying. The way you looked at each other-"
"It was a handshake."
"Mmm. Sure. Just a handshake."
I turned away, but my cheeks burned with heat.
It was nothing. Just a moment. But the spark still lingered in my fingers.
And for the first time in a long time... I didn't mind.