Page 26 of The Edge Of Us

Her trembling voice cut through the tension. "Why are you looking at Noah like that?"

Neither of them answered.

"Noah," Corinne pressed, her voice rising. "Do you know her?"

Noah’s jaw tightened, his fists clenched.

Natasha finally spoke. "It was a long time ago."

Corinne blinked. "What was?"

Noah swallowed hard. "She and I… we used to see each other. Before she and Allen."

Corinne’s face cracked. "So this has all been one big game to you? Both of you?"

"No!" Natasha cried. "I didn’t know Allen when I knew Noah. It wasn’t like that."

"You mean it didn’t start that way," Corinne snapped.

"Corinne," I started, stepping forward.

"Don’t you dare say my name!" she spat. "You don't get to say my name like we're equals. Like you didn't burn everything down!"

I forced the words out. "I’m filing for divorce."

The room froze.

"And I’m going for full custody of Kyle and Astrid."

A cold silence followed.

Corinne’s face went blank. Like all her pain had collapsed inward. "You’re going to take my children? After this?"

"You’re not well," I said. "You haven’t been for a while. You’re struggling, and they need stability."

She stood slowly, placing Astrid in her mother’s arms. Her voice was a razor’s edge. "Do not. Ever. Use my pain against me."

"I’m not—"

"Yes, you are!" she shouted, voice cracking. "You cheated, Allen. You lied, for how long!. You turned me into a shell of myself, and now you're blaming me for not being whole?"

I faltered. "I’m trying to protect the kids."

"No," Jake hissed. "You’re trying to protect yourself. Your guilt. Your image."

Natasha’s voice wavered. "Allen, maybe this isn’t the way—"

"Shut up," Corinne snapped, turning to her. "How long?"

Natasha flinched.

"How long have you been screwing my husband?"

"...Two years."

The air was sucked from the room.

My mother gasped. My father looked away. Jake looked like he might throw up.

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