Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 114

<CHAPTER 71-2

CHAPTER 71-2

nd you agreed?” I asked and Charlotte nodded.

“I didn’t know who he was.” Charlotte said and I actually laughed this time. A genuine laugh because the lie was so ridiculous.

“So let me get this straight.” I said as I pointed at the photographs.

Clair

“You accidentally met a criminal connected to attacks against my business.” I said and Charlotte crossed her arms.

“I didn’t know.” She said.

“You expect anyone to believe that?” I asked and Victoria immediately stepped forward.

“Paige.” Victoria said and I looked at her.

“What?” I asked.

“Stop attacking your sister.” She said and for a moment I couldn’t speak.

The photographs sat right there. The evidence was literally in their hands. And somehow they were still defending her while my mother looked at me with disappointment.

“Charlotte explained everything.” Victoria said.

“No. No, she didn’t.” I said as I shook my head and Charles threw the photographs onto the table.

“These pictures don’t prove anything.” Charles said and I stared at him.

“They prove she met Victor Kane.” I said.

“They prove she spoke to someone.” Charles said.

“They prove exactly what I’ve been saying.” I said and Charlotte’s eyes filled with tears. The performance was impressive.

“I didn’t do anything wrong.” Charlotte said.

Victoria immediately wrapped an arm around her.

“It’s okay.” Victoria said and I looked at them and then at Charles and back at Charlotte.

And suddenly something happened. The hurt disappeared. Not entirely. But enough.

Enough for me to finally see things clearly and this wasn’t about evidence. It never had been.

If Charlotte said the sky was green, they would search for reasons to agree with her.

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If I showed them proof, they would search for reasons to dismiss it. Nothing I said mattered.

Nothing I did mattered.

I had spent years fighting for their approval. Years trying to prove I wasn’t the problem. Years

hoping they would eventually see me.

And standing there in that room, I finally understood something. They never would and a strange

peace settled over me as Charles pointed toward the door.

“If you’re going to keep making accusations, then leave.” Charles said.

The old version of me would have cried. The old version of me would have begged. The old

version of me would have argued until her throat hurt. Instead, I nodded.

“Okay.” I said and everyone looked surprised. Including Charlotte and I turned toward the door.

“That’s it?” Charles asked as I looked back.

“What exactly would you like me to say?” I asked.

He didn’t answer because there wasn’t anything left to say. I had given them the truth.

What they chose to do with it wasn’t my responsibility and Jace moved beside me.

His hand found mine immediately and together, we walked toward the door. Nobody stopped us,

nobody apologized and nobody asked me to stay.

And for the first time in my life that didn’t break my heart.

Outside, the evening air felt cool against my skin.

I walked down the front steps and stopped beside the truck and Jace turned toward me.

“You okay?” Jace asked and I thought about it honestly and then I surprised myself.

“Yeah.” I said as he studied my face.

“Really?” He asked.

“Actually… yeah.” I said and a small smile appeared.

Not a happy smile. Not a sad one. Just acceptance.

“I think I’m done.” I said as Jace stepped closer and his hand lifted to my cheek and his thumb

brushed gently across my skin.

“Done with what?” He asked.

“Waiting.” I said as my voice was quiet.

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“Waiting for them to choose me.” I added.

Claes

Emotion flashed across his face and before I could say anything else, he leaned down and kissed

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