Page 92 of The Edge Of Us

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.

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