Chapter 42
Corine
The soft buzz of laughter still lingered in the backyard, the air sweet with vanilla cake and faint hints of roses from my mother’s perfume. Astrid was asleep in her stroller now, head tilted slightly, cheeks smudged with frosting. Kyle was inside with Tate and Sylvia, probably raiding the goodie bags.
I sat on the porch steps, toes pressing into the grass below, the fabric of my dress wrinkling beneath me. My mind wandered, sifting through everything like sand—light, heavy, and unrelenting.
"You look like you need a rescue," Jasper said, his voice pulling me out gently.
I looked up, shielding my eyes from the sinking sun. He was holding two glasses of lemonade. One already half gone.
"Only if you're offering," I replied, sliding over so he could sit beside me.
He handed me the drink. "Always."
For a few seconds, we just sat there, shoulder to shoulder, watching the party wind down. The fairy lights shimmered above us, little orbs of gold swaying gently in the breeze.
"Thank you for coming," I said softly.
He glanced at me. "You thought I wouldn’t."
I sighed. "Honestly? I didn’t know. You said you were busy."
"I lied," he said, sipping his lemonade with a small smile. "Didn’t want to seem too eager."
"You are terrible at playing it cool."
"And you’re terrible at pretending you’re okay."
I winced. That one hit.
He nudged me gently. "You don’t have to be. Not with me."
I turned toward him, searching his face. There was nothing but sincerity there. No expectations. Just warmth.
"I’m trying," I whispered. "Some days I wake up and feel like I can breathe again. And then others—"
"It crashes down. I know."
My hand trembled slightly as I set the lemonade aside. "It still hurts. Not the same way, but... Allen was my whole life. We built everything together. The family. The plans. The gallery. I watched it all collapse."
"And you stood back up. That’s the part he didn’t expect."
"I don’t even know if I’m standing. Half the time, I’m just... floating."
Jasper leaned in a little. "Then let me be the one who holds you down when you need it."
I blinked. My heart stumbled in my chest. And before I could say anything, Allen’s voice cut through the quiet.
"Astrid’s up."
We both looked up to see him holding her in his arms, her little arms wrapped loosely around his neck, half-asleep but stirring.
"She was asking for you," he added, gaze locking with mine.
I stood quickly, walking toward them. "Hey baby," I whispered, brushing a curl from her forehead. She blinked sleepily.
"Cake... again?" she mumbled.
Allen chuckled. "She’s definitely your daughter."
I smiled faintly, reaching to take her, but he pulled back slightly. "Let me hold her for a bit. I missed this."
Jasper stepped forward, now beside me. His expression didn’t change, but his presence alone was grounding.
"She had a great party," I said, trying to keep my tone even.
"Because of you," Allen said, eyes briefly drifting to Jasper before returning to me. "You always do everything right. I messed it up. I know that now."
I swallowed hard. "It’s a little late for that, Allen."
He glanced at Astrid, then back to me. "Maybe. But I still want to be here. For them. For you."
Jasper shifted slightly closer, but said nothing.
"You had your chance," I said, voice trembling slightly. "And you threw it away."
"Corinne—"
"No," I interrupted. "Don’t use today. Don’t use her birthday to make it about us."
Allen’s jaw tightened, but then he looked at Jasper, eyes narrowing slightly. "Just making sure you’re okay. That you’re not... distracted."
Jasper raised an eyebrow. "With Corinne? Never."
The silence was thick. Uncomfortable.
Then Astrid yawned and reached for me. I took her gently, pressing a kiss to her soft cheek.
"She’s tired," I said. "I should get her inside."
Jasper offered, "I’ll help."
Allen stepped forward. "I can—"
"It’s fine," I said quickly, already moving toward the door with Jasper beside me.
Inside, we laid Astrid on the couch. She curled into the pillows like a kitten, peaceful and unaware.
"He’s trying to get under your skin," Jasper said, quietly now.
I turned to him. "I know."
"Using Astrid like that... it’s not right."
"He’s her father."
"And I’m not arguing that. But he had months—years—to fix this. He let you go, Corinne. Now he’s trying to reel you back in because someone else sees what he never did."
I looked away. My throat burned. "He knew all my broken pieces and still walked away."
Jasper stepped closer. "And I’d pick up every single one, over and over, if it meant holding you at the end of the day."
I didn’t mean to cry. But it spilled out, sharp and sudden. I covered my face with my hands.
He pulled me into his arms without hesitation.
"You’re safe," he murmured. "With me, you’re safe."
"I don’t know how to stop loving someone who hurt me that deeply," I whispered.
"You don’t have to rush it. You just have to let yourself heal. And when you’re ready... if you’re ever ready... I’ll be here."
I pulled back enough to look into his eyes. "You’re making this harder."
He smiled gently. "Then I’m doing it right."
There was a knock at the door.
Allen poked his head in. "We’re heading out. Just wanted to say goodbye."
I nodded. "Thanks for coming."
He hesitated, eyes flickering to Jasper’s hand resting lightly on my waist. Then he gave a small, strained smile and stepped out.
When the door clicked shut, Jasper let out a low whistle. "You okay?"
I nodded, brushing a tear from my cheek. "I think I will be."
He leaned in. "Then let’s start with now."
And in that moment, I let myself believe in the possibility of something soft again.
Even if it hurt.
Even if it healed.