Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 178

CHAPTER 106-2

“He offered to invest in Lawson Customs.” I said and Victoria closed her eyes briefly.

“I was afraid he would.” She said as I stared at her.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because if you accepted his money, he would eventually expect something in return.” She said.

“I knew that.” I said.

“Do you?” She asked.

“What are you saying?” I asked and Victoria looked at me.

“Charles rarely gives anything without expecting loyalty.” She said.

“That’s why I refused.” I said and she nodded slowly.

“Good.” She said and I wrapped both hands around my coffee.

“I don’t want his money.” I said.

“I know.” She said.

“I don’t want revenge either. I don’t want to destroy him.” I said and Victoria looked surprised.

“Paige.” She said.

“I mean it.” I said as I looked out the window.

“I’ve spent too much time being angry, and I don’t want the rest of my life to be about fighting people who hurt me.” I continued and my voice softened.

“I just want peace.” I said and Victoria’s eyes filled with tears.

“I wish you had said that years ago.” She said and I looked back at her.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I spent years thinking revenge was the only way to survive.” She said as she wiped beneath one

eye.

“I thought if I kept everyone happy, if I protected the right people, and if I avoided conflict, everything would eventually settle down.” She said as I shook my head.

“That didn’t work.” I said.

“No. It didn’t.” She said as she gave a small, sad laugh and I reached across the table.

“Mom, I don’t need you to fix everything.” I said and she looked at my hand.

“I know.” She said.

CHAPTER 1062.

just need you to tell rne the truth.” I said and Victoria nodded.

“I’m trying.” She said.

“What exactly are you afraid Charles will do?” I asked and she hesitated.

“I don’t know.” She said.

“That’s not reassuring.” I said.

“I know.” She said and she took a breath.

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“But I know how he thinks, and I know that when he believes someone is taking something from him, he becomes determined to take it back.” She added.

“I’m not taking anything from him.” I said.

“I know.” She said.

“Then what does he want?” I asked.

“Control.” She said and I looked down.

“And if he can’t have it?” I asked as Victoria’s voice became quieter.

“Then he may try to make you believe you can’t succeed without him.” She said as I shook my head.

“He’s wrong.” I said as a tear slipped down her cheek.

“I know.” She said.

I felt something inside me soften. For the first time, I wasn’t looking at Victoria as the mother who had disappointed me.

I was looking at her as a woman who had made mistakes and was finally trying to face them.

“You can still do better.” I said and she looked at me.

“Do you really believe that?” She asked.

“I want to.” I said and she smiled through her tears.

“Thank you.” She said.

We sat quietly for several minutes, and the tension between us slowly faded but I finished my coffee and stood.

“I should go.” I said and Victoria nodded.

“Will you talk to me again?” She asked and I hesitated.

“Yes.” I said and her eyes softened.

“I’d like that.” She said.

I leaned down and hugged her. This time, it didn’t feel awkward. It felt like the beginning of something.

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When I stepped outside, the cool morning air hit my face, and I stood on the sidewalk for a moment

wasn’t suddenly healed. I hadn’t forgotten the past. I hadn’t forgiven everything. But I felt hopeful

Maybe my mother was finally seeing the truth. Maybe she was finally choosing honesty instead of silence.

I walked toward my truck, unaware that someone across the street was watching.

Charlotte sat inside a parked SUV, partially hidden behind the tinted windows.

She had seen Victoria arrive. She had watched Paige walk inside.

She had watched them sit together and she had watched them hug when Paige left and Charlotte’s fingers tightened around her phone.

“So you’re talking to her now.” Charlotte said.

She lifted the phone and took a photograph through the windshield.

Paige stood beside her truck, completely unaware as Charlotte looked at the picture.

Then she smiled and her phone buzzed. A message from Victor appeared.

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