Chapter 56
Corine
It had been a long month since the incident that turned my world upside down. A month of healing, therapy, stitches, and trying to hold myself together for the sake of my children. Jasper had been my rock through it all. And now, for the first time since the news broke, his parents had invited us for dinner. A peace offering, I guessed. Or a truce in a war I never asked to fight.
"You look beautiful," Jasper whispered as he helped zip up my dress. It was a soft lavender number that hugged my body delicately without making me feel exposed. "They'll love you."
I swallowed my nerves and forced a smile. "I'm not worried about being loved. Just not dissected."
He turned me around, holding my gaze. "I won't let that happen."
The ride to the Ashfords' estate was calm, with Astrid humming her favorite song and Kyle asking if Mr. and Mrs. Ashford had a playground. Brittany sat next to me, helping Astrid with her curls, acting like she wasn't just as nervous as I was.
The house was grand, as I expected. White stone pillars, floor-to-ceiling windows, and grounds that looked like they belonged in a royal documentary. The butler greeted us, and soon, we were ushered into the formal dining room. It was intimidating. Polished oak table. Crystal chandelier. And Jasper's parents seated at the head of the table, pristine and composed like a painting.
"Corine," Mr. Ashford greeted. "Lovely to finally meet you in a... formal setting."
"Thank you for having us," I said politely, holding Astrid's hand a little tighter.
Mrs. Ashford gave me a once-over. "And the children. Precious."
"Hello," Kyle said with a wide smile, tugging at Jasper's hand. "Are you Jasper's mommy and daddy?"
Mr. Ashford laughed. "Yes, young man. And who might you be?"
"I'm Kyle. I'm almost five. This is my sister Astrid. She's two and a half. She doesn't like broccoli."
That made even Mrs. Ashford laugh softly. Astrid, shy but bold, waved and said, "Hi. I'm beauty princess."
The ice broke a little.
Dinner began with light appetizers. The conversation turned quickly-too quickly-to politics.
"So, Corine," Mr. Ashford began. "What are your thoughts on foreign diplomacy, especially in the Eastern sector?"
I blinked. "I... well, I'm not in politics. I work in the beauty industry. Content creation, branding, and product marketing."
"Ah," he said, barely hiding his disappointment. "No formal education in policy or international relations?"
"No, sir. I studied visual arts and business communications."
His brow lifted. "Interesting."
"Dad," Jasper said firmly, his hand sliding over mine under the table. "She's brilliant in her own field."
Mrs. Ashford added, "Influencers do seem to have an uncanny hold on public opinion these days. Perhaps it's not traditional, but still powerful."
That made me breathe a little.
"And tell me," Mr. Ashford continued, as if he didn't hear his wife, "how do you plan to raise the children in a world with political scrutiny? Are you prepared for that?"
"I've already been doing it alone for years," I said, voice calm but strong. "And with Jasper now, I have more support than ever."
He nodded but didn't look convinced. Still, I held my own.
Just then, a voice rang from the entrance of the dining hall.
"Hope I'm not too late."
I turned-and nearly choked on my water.
Ace.
Dressed in a tailored navy jacket, hair perfectly disheveled, walking in like he belonged here. Brittany stiffened beside me.
"What are you doing here?" Jasper asked, wide-eyed.
Ace smirked. "I got the invite. I figured I'd stop by and support my best friend... and his very interesting new family."
Mrs. Ashford stood, offering him a cheek kiss. "Ace, darling. We weren't sure you'd make it."
"I almost didn't," he said, eyes flicking to Brittany for the briefest moment. "Traffic."
Oh, traffic, sure.
Dinner continued, but the tension shifted. Not just from Jasper's father anymore, but from the energy pinging between Brit and Ace.
Kyle began giggling at the way Astrid refused to eat the peas on her plate and kept putting them on Jasper's. That lightened the mood again.
"Why do peas look like boogers?" Astrid asked.
Everyone laughed. Even Mr. Ashford. "That's... a fair point."
Brittany leaned over to me and whispered, "See? They're warming up."
"I hope so," I whispered back.
Not long after the main course was served, Brittany excused herself to the restroom. I didn't think much of it. But when Ace stood up a minute later and said, "Excuse me," heading the same direction, my eyebrow twitched.
Oh no.
Half an hour passed. The kids were chatting with Jasper's mom about their favorite cartoons. The table was lively again. Then Brittany returned. Face flushed, lips a little too pink. She took her seat quietly. Ace came back a moment later. Also flushed. Jacket slightly unbuttoned. Not even trying to hide the fact that his tie was a little looser than before.
I looked at Brit. She looked everywhere except at me.
I gave her the look. You know the one.
She mouthed, Don't you dare.
I smirked. Already dared.
"You okay?" I asked sweetly.
"Y-yeah," she stammered. "Washroom line was long."
"Uh-huh.This is your parents'home girl"
Jasper leaned toward me, whispering, "What's going on?"
"Your sister might have a big crush on your best friend ."
He choked on his wine.
"What?!"
"Shhh," I grinned.
He looked from Ace to Brittany. Then back again. "Oh, hell no."
I giggled for the first time in days. Watching Jasper's face morph into protective brother mode was oddly comforting.
Mr. Ashford raised a glass. "To family. Unpredictable as they may be."
Jasper looked at me, then the kids who were now cuddled beside Mrs. Ashford, and he raised his own.
"To family. And to love."
I met his eyes. My heart squeezed. Because through the tension, scrutiny, and sudden surprises in the guest bathroom, I realized one thing:
We were becoming one.
Even if it was messy.
Even if the world didn't approve.
This was our family.