Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 156

CHAPTER 95-2

“I never took anything from her.” I said.

“I know.” She said as the words came out quietly and I looked at her.

“You know?” I asked.

“Yes.” She said.

I didn’t know what to say. My mother had spent so long defending Charlotte that hearing her admit even this much felt strange.

“Then why did you always take her side?” I asked and Victoria looked down at the table.

“Because I thought she needed me.” Victoria said.

“And I didn’t?” I asked as she closed her eyes briefly.

“That’s not what I meant.” She said.

“It felt that way.” I said.

“I know.” She said as she looked up again.

“I made mistakes.” She admitted.

“That’s an understatement.” I said and she gave me a sad smile.

“I know.” She said.

For a moment, I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.

Then I remembered everything. The years of feeling ignored. The arguments. The times Charlotte had been allowed to hurt me because nobody wanted to confront her.

I couldn’t simply forget those things because my mother had finally started admitting the truth.

“Did you help Charlotte?” I asked and Victoria’s expression changed.

“Help her with what?” Victoria asked.

“Whatever she’s doing.” I asked.

“No.” She said.

The answer came quickly and I watched her carefully.

“You’ve never told me the whole truth.” I said.

“I know.” She said.

“Are you telling me everything now?” I asked as she looked away.

“I can’t.” She said and my frustration returned.

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CHAPTER 3

“Why not?” I asked.

“Because I’m still trying to understand it myself.” She said so I leaned back.

“Then what exactly am I supposed to do with that?” I asked.

“Be careful.” She said.

“Everyone keeps telling me that.” I said.

“Because you’re in danger.” She said and I looked at her.

“Is Charlotte dangerous?” I asked but Victoria didn’t answer and that silence was enough.

“I think she’s involved with people she shouldn’t be around.” She finally said.

“That’s not the same thing.” I said.

“No.” She said.

She reached across the table and touched my hand.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” She said as I stared at her hand.

For years, I had wanted my mother to say those words.

Now that she finally had, they didn’t erase everything. But they mattered.

“Thank you.” I said and she nodded.

“I’m trying.” She said.

“I can see that.” I said as she stood slowly.

“I should go.” She said.

“That’s it?” I asked.

“I’ve told you what I can.” She said and I nodded.

“I appreciate you coming.” I said and Victoria paused beside the table.

“Paige.” She said as I looked up.

“Don’t trust Charlotte.” She added and my stomach tightened.

“You really think she’s involved?” I asked.

“I think you need to be careful around her.” She said.

She walked away before I could ask anything else.

I remained at the table for several minutes, staring at the untouched coffee.

• 29 Pointe

My mother hadn’t admitted everything. She hadn’t accepted responsibility for the past. She hadn’t given me names or evidence.

CHAPTER 95-

*25 Points

But she had done something she hadn’t done before. She had warned me about Charlotte.

Maybe she was finally seeing what I had seen for a long time.

Maybe she was finally understanding that protecting Charlotte had never protected anyone.

I left the café and walked toward my car and I reached the driver’s door before stopping. Something felt wrong and I looked across the street.

Cars moved slowly along the road, people walked past shops, and everything appeared normal.

Then I noticed a familiar vehicle parked near the corner.

I couldn’t see the driver clearly, but I recognized the car.

Charlotte.

I stared at it and the driver’s window was slightly lowered, and Charlotte was sitting behind the wheel.

She was watching me and my heart began pounding. I took one step backward and Charlotte didn’t move.

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