Page 45 of The Edge Of Us

"Thanks, Brittany."

She smiles and offers me the gold crayon next. "This is for the castle windows. They deserve to shine."

And in that small, strange moment-with gold crayon in hand and the echo of electroshock still in my bones-I almost believe they can.

Chapter 27

Corine

The morning sun filtered gently through the thick windows of the facility, casting long golden rays across the tiled floor. I stood by the mirror, brushing my fingers over the loose strands of my hair. Visiting day. My chest felt tight, like someone was pressing down on it, but there was a quiet flutter underneath-a nervous anticipation.

Kyle was four now. Four. And Astrid was eight months. My babies. The only thing that had kept me tethered to the earth when everything else felt like it was slipping through my fingers.

I waited in the lounge for my mother. She had texted that they were through the gates and being checked in. The hospital did a good job of ensuring discretion, especially for patients like me. People who had faces the public would love to scrutinize, whisper about, click cameras at. They called them "celebrity private hours," and it meant I could hold my babies without fear of flashing bulbs or gawking eyes.

When the doors opened, my heart leapt. Kyle burst through first, his tiny legs running as fast as they could carry him. "Mommy!"

I dropped to my knees, arms wide open. "Kyle!"

He crashed into me, arms tight around my neck. His little body was warm, solid, real. A moment later, my mom walked in, cradling Astrid in her arms, who babbled the moment she saw me.

"There she is," Mom said gently, passing Astrid into my waiting arms. I buried my face in her soft curls, breathing her in, trying to memorize her weight and warmth all over again.

We decided not to stay in the celebrity wing this time. I wanted the sun, the grass, the fresh air. The facility had a secluded garden just beyond the therapy halls-a lush, carefully manicured space with high stone walls and no windows from the outside world. Security guarded the entrances, but you wouldn't know unless you looked. It was peaceful.

We spread a blanket on the lawn. Kyle chased butterflies. Astrid clapped her hands as I blew raspberries on her tummy. My mom sat beside me, handing me a small bottle of water.

"You look better," she said.

I smiled softly. "Some days are better than others."

"Today is one of the better ones," she whispered, squeezing my hand.

Just as I leaned back to stretch, a movement to my left caught my eye. Brittany. She walked slowly across the grass with a man beside her. Tall, broad-shouldered, with warm olive skin that caught the sunlight in all the right ways. He wore a dark blue sweater that clung slightly to his torso, and his hair was a tousled mess of soft brown curls. His eyes were deep-a shade I couldn't define from the distance, but they were striking. Kind. Familiar.

There was a resemblance. Brittany's. Of course.

I wasn't really into politics so I didn't Brittany had a sibling much less a brother.

Her eyes locked with mine, and she smiled-genuine, even a little excited.

"Corinne!" she called, breaking into a light jog with the man beside her.

Kyle clung to my leg, suddenly s

I'mhy. Astrid giggled in my lap.

"Hey," I said, rising as Brittany reached me. "You're out early."

"Special visit," she said brightly, eyes darting to my kids. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the walk. She looked more alive than usual, less haunted. The man beside her lingered quietly, offering a small nod.

"This is Jasper Ashford," Brittany said, gesturing toward him. "My brother. My older brother and the boring Ashford. He came to visit today."

Jasper shook his head at her introduction and offered his hand. I took it.

It was just a handshake. Just a second. But something shifted. A soft, quiet spark-the kind you don't expect when you're not looking for anything. I met his eyes and offered a polite smile, trying not to overthink the moment.

"Nice to meet you," I said.

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