Page 101 of The Edge Of Us

"You're right," he told me. Then turned to his parents, fire back in his eyes. "You two have two choices: accept Corinne and the kids or lose me."

His father looked stunned. "You don't mean that."

"I mean every damn word. You want to talk image? You raised me to be a man with principles. To protect the people I love. So if this-standing up for Corinne-is bad for you, then maybe you're not the kind of people I want in my life."

His mother looked at me, almost like she finally saw me. Not a headline. Not a threat. Just a woman, holding on by a thread.

"She has trauma," she said, voice quieter now. "How can you be sure she won't unravel again?"

"Because I have," I whispered. "I unraveled. But I'm here. I got help. I didn't choose to be a victim-but I'm choosing to survive. For my children. And for myself."

Jasper looked at his mother one last time. "If you can't stand beside us, then you don't get to stand beside me. Not now. Not ever."

There was a long pause. Tension held in the air like a storm waiting to break.

Then, his father reached for his wife's arm. "Come on," he muttered. "We've said enough."

"Jasper-" his mother started, but he cut her off with one look.

"I said what I said."

And they left.

The door clicked shut behind them.

I broke down into Jasper's arms, sobbing against his chest, the pain, the fear, the shame-all of it pouring out. He held me tighter than ever.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

"For what?"

"That they hate me. That you're in this mess."

He tilted my chin up. "I love you, Corinne. And no one-not even my parents-gets to make me feel ashamed of that."

And for the first time in weeks, I believed it. Even in the middle of the storm, I believed in us.

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."

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