Chapter 50
Corine
The moment I stepped into the hotel hallway, I could already hear the cries. Astrid's cries. My heart clenched, my pace quickened. I didn't bother knocking-I flung the door open and rushed inside.
"Brittany?" I called, my voice cracking slightly. "What's going on?"
There she was-sitting on the couch, holding Astrid tightly against her chest. The little girl was sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down her red face. Her tiny fists were clenched around Brittany's shirt.
Kyle stood nearby, looking pale and confused, his favorite book clutched in his arms.
"Baby?" I dropped to my knees beside them. "What happened?"
Astrid looked up and instantly reached out for me, practically leaping out of Brittany's arms and into mine. Her body was trembling.
"Mama," she cried. "You were gone. And Daddy left. I didn't know where you were."
Guilt stabbed me right in the chest. I wrapped her tightly in my arms, whispering softly into her hair. "I'm so sorry, Astrid. I didn't mean to scare you. Mama's right here, okay? I'm here now."
"I thought you weren't coming back," she hiccupped.
"I will always come back for you. Always."
It took several more minutes of rocking and whispering before her cries turned into sniffles, then into soft breaths. Eventually, she let out a tired yawn and her eyelids fluttered. She'd worn herself out completely.
Brittany gently took her from my arms and tucked her into the bed.
Kyle stood at the doorway, watching.
"Hey, sweetheart," I said gently.
He looked up at me with wide, cautious eyes. "Are you mad at Daddy?"
I swallowed the knot in my throat. "No, honey. I'm not mad. Grown-ups just... sometimes they don't agree on everything. But that doesn't mean anyone's mad. Okay?"
He nodded slowly and walked into my arms when I opened them. I held him tightly.
"To make up for everything, Uncle Jasper and I have something fun planned. After his meeting, we're going to take you guys out for lunch. Somewhere special."
"Uncle Jasper?" he asked with a grin.
"Yep. He wants to spend time with all of us."
Kyle's smile returned, and a weight lifted from my chest.
As Astrid slept and Kyle quietly played on his tablet, I leaned against the kitchen counter, exhaling deeply.
And then Brittany appeared. Arms crossed. That look.
"What?" I asked.
She raised an eyebrow. "Don't you what me."
I blinked. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh, really?" she said, smug. "You come waltzing in here looking like that. Hair messy, cheeks flushed, wearing the same clothes as last night... girl, that's the walk of shame if I ever saw one."
My cheeks burned. "It's not a walk of shame."
Her grin widened. "Oh. So, you did finally do the deed with my brother."
I groaned and hid my face in my hands.
"Was it good?" she asked, teasing.
"Britt!" I hissed.
"Come on. Spill."
"It was..." I trailed off, looking down, feeling that warmth all over again. "Yeah. It was everything. He was... gentle. And kind. And he made me feel... safe."
Brittany's expression softened.
"Don't look at me like that," I muttered.
"I'm just happy. You deserve someone who looks at you like you hung the stars. And if my brother is finally pulling his head out of his ass, then I'm here for it."
I hesitated. "By the way... Ace is back. Jasper mentioned he's meeting with him today."
The air shifted. Brittany's shoulders stiffened, and the smile dropped from her face.
I frowned. "There it is again. Why do you always go cold at the mention of Ace?"
She didn't say anything at first. Then, she sighed and leaned against the wall.
"Promise me you won't tell Jasper," she said quietly. "Swear it."
"I promise."
She looked down, her voice barely a whisper. "I had the biggest crush on Ace when I was a teenager. I mean... massive. He was my older brother's best friend, and I worshiped the ground he walked on."
My heart ached for her already.
"And one night... we kissed. It was just one kiss. I thought it meant something. But he pulled away and said it was a mistake. After that, he was cruel. Said things about my weight. Called me names. Made me feel... disgusting."
I felt my entire body tense. "What?"
Her eyes glistened. "It broke me, Corinne. I spiraled. That's when everything started. The anorexia. The obsession with trying to be thin enough to be wanted. To be... lovable."
I reached for her hand and held it tightly. "Brittany... I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve that."
She blinked quickly, brushing away a tear. "I was young. And stupid. And he was just cruel."
I shook my head. "You were never stupid. And what he did was unforgivable. You don't have to see him, Britt. Not if it brings all that back."
"I know," she whispered. "But I'll be okay. Just... don't tell Jasper. Please."
"I won't."
We stood there in silence, holding hands, until a knock broke the moment.
Brittany opened the door, and there stood Allen. His face was pale, his eyes rimmed with fatigue. He looked like he hadn't slept.
"Hi," he said hoarsely.
I stood and crossed my arms, staying near the bed.
"I brought their suitcases. Everything they'll need for the rest of the trip."
"Thanks," Brittany said, taking them from him.
I didn't say a word.
Allen's eyes flickered to mine. "Corinne, I-"
I turned away. "I don't want to talk right now."
He nodded slowly, clearly expecting that. "Okay."
And then he left.
I didn't cry. I didn't shout. I just stood there, my back to the door, breathing deeply.
I had the kids. I had Brittany. And I had something new growing-something real-with Jasper.
I wasn't going to let my past define me anymore.
And maybe, just maybe, I could build something better from here.