Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 113

A CHAPTER 71 1

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Claims

CHAPTER 71-1

The drive to my parents’ house felt longer than it should have.

Jace drove because he had taken one look at my face after the phone call and decided I wasn’t

getting behind the wheel.

Neither of us spoke much during the trip. His hand remained wrapped around mine across the

center console and every few minutes his thumb brushed gently over my knuckles.

The simple contact helped. Not enough to stop the knot twisting in my stomach but enough to

keep me steady.

By the time we pulled into the circular driveway, I had already prepared myself for bad news.

What I hadn’t prepared for was Charlotte’s car sitting outside and I stared at it while Jace noticed

immediately.

“That’s not a good sign.” Jace said.

“No.” I said as my voice sounded flat.

“No, it isn’t.” I added and he squeezed my hand.

“You don’t have to do this alone.” He said and I looked at him.

“I know.” I said.

The truth was that a few months ago I would have walked into that house by myself because I

would have believed I had something to prove. Now I didn’t.

Jace climbed out first before walking around the truck and opening my door.

His hand settled against my lower back as we approached the front entrance together.

The familiar gesture made my chest tighten. Not from sadness but from gratitude.

I knocked once before opening the door and the atmosphere inside felt tense immediately.

Charles stood near the fireplace, Victoria sat rigidly on the couch and Charlotte occupied an

armchair.

The moment I saw her, I knew. This wasn’t about my mother. My mother looked perfectly healthy. Angry. But healthy and I felt something inside me cool instantly.

“Dad.” I said as Charles folded his arms.

“Sit down.” He said.

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CHAPTER 71 1

I didn’t. Neither did Jace.

“What happened?” I asked and Charles looked furious.

“Your sister tells us you’ve been making outrageous accusations.” Charles said.

For a moment I couldn’t even process what he had said.

“What?” I asked and Charlotte immediately leaned forward.

Cla

“Paige has been spreading lies.” Charlotte said and the calmness in her voice almost impressed

1. Almost.

“You have got to be kidding.” I said as Victoria stood.

“Charlotte told us everything.” Victoria said.

“Did she?” I asked.

“She said you’ve become paranoid.” Victoria said.

I laughed. A short humorless sound.

“That’s rich.” I said and Charles pointed toward Charlotte.

“She says you’ve been accusing her of things she hasn’t done.” Charles said and my anger

vanished.

In its place came something much colder and I looked directly at Charlotte.

“You told them that?” I asked and her expression shifted slightly.

“Because it’s true.” She said.

“No. It’s not.” I said as I reached into my jacket.

Jace already knew what I was doing. He handed me the envelope from the truck before I even

asked and I pulled out the photographs.

“What is that?” Charles asked.

“Evidence.” I said and Charlotte visibly stiffened. Interesting.

I walked across the room and dropped the photographs onto the coffee table and silence filled the

house.

Charles picked them up first and Victoria leaned closer. The color slowly drained from their faces

and Charlotte stopped breathing for a second.

There it was. The truth. Frozen forever in glossy photographs.

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