Page 97 of The Edge Of Us

My stomach dropped. "Britt, you shouldn't have-"

"He needed to know. You could've died," she snapped, eyes red. "He's on his jet. He'll be here in a few hours."

I didn't argue further. I couldn't. My hand throbbed, stitched and bandaged, a grotesque reminder of how everything had gone wrong.

Then, just as I shut my eyes for a brief moment, the door creaked open again. Judith and Gerald-Allen's parents-stepped in, both with tear-streaked faces.

"Corinne..." Judith said, wringing her hands. "We came as soon as we heard."

I sat up slowly. "How is Allen?"

"The surgery went well," Gerald said quietly. "They've put him in an induced coma to let his body rest and heal properly."

I nodded stiffly. "Good."

Judith hesitated. "Let me take the kids for a few days. I'll bring them to the house-they'll be safe."

"No," I said sharply. "Brittany will take them. I don't trust anyone else right now."

Judith's face fell. "But we're their family too. We deserve time with them."

"You should've thought of that before your son tried to murder me," I snapped. "He needed help. You should've gotten it for him years ago."

Judith opened her mouth, but I turned away, the sting in my throat threatening to take over.

By morning, Jasper had arrived. He burst into the room like a storm, eyes wide, face pale. He was at my bedside in seconds, cupping my face gently.

"God, Corinne... baby, I thought-"

"I'm okay," I whispered.

His eyes searched mine, then trailed down to the bandaged hand. "What the hell did he do to you?"

I didn't answer. I didn't have to.

"Where are the kids?"

"With Brittany. They're fine. Just... shaken."

His jaw clenched. "I'm not letting this slide. He's going to rot in jail for this."

Before I could respond, there was a knock on the door. A police officer stepped in, his expression grim. "Ms. Corinne, we need to know if you wish to press charges against Allen Woods."

Before I could answer, Judith and Gerald stood up, stepping between us and the officer.

"Please," Judith began. "Don't press charges. He's sick. He wasn't in his right mind. We'll get him help, real help this time."

"He almost killed me," I said, my voice calm but laced with fury. "He broke into my house, threw me down, tore off my clothes, and nearly shot me. My children could've witnessed it. You want me to ignore that?"

"He's the father of your kids," Gerald said quietly.

"Yes," I snapped. "And for that, I'll make sure he gets help-not jail. But don't you dare guilt me into pretending I provoked him. Don't you dare turn this on me."

Judith's expression hardened. "You moved on with someone else. You let another man into your bed. He regretted everything and you threw it in his face. You caused this."

Jasper moved between us like lightning. "Say that again, and I'll have my father ruin you both. She didn't cause anything. Your son is a grown man who assaulted a woman and traumatized his children. You're lucky she's not asking for life imprisonment."

I took a shaky breath. "I won't press charges," I finally said. "But only on one condition."

---