Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 255

CHAPTER 147

Charlotte’s POV

I stood in the hallway at the clubhouse, and I could still hear Paige’s voice in my head.

“I never thought he would choose you. I said.

I had said the words before I could stop myself, and now they seemed to expose something I had spent years refusing to admit.

I had always believed my father would choose me.

No matter what I did, no matter what I said, and no matter how many times I twisted a situation until Paige became the difficult daughter and I became the wounded one, Charles had always believed me.

At least, that was what I had convinced myself. Now everything was changing.

I watched Paige walk back toward the workbenches, and Charles’s words seemed to follow him out the

door.

I failed you.

I had never heard my father say those words before. I had never wanted him to say them either, because admitting he had failed Paige meant admitting that I had helped him fail her.

I walked slowly toward the guest room upstairs, but I could not stop thinking about the past.

I remembered being younger and crying whenever Paige received attention.

I remembered telling Dad that Paige had been cruel to me when she had only asked me to leave her room.

I remembered exaggerating arguments, changing details, and carefully choosing the parts of every story that made me look innocent.

At first, the lies had seemed harmless and that was the part l’hated most.

I had always been able to tell myself that I had only been protecting myself, but the truth was that I had learned how easily people believed me.

Once I discovered that, I kept doing it.

When Paige wanted to spend time with Uncle Will, I told Dad she was avoiding the family.

When she became successful, I suggested she thought she was better than everyone.

When she stopped coming around, I told Dad she was angry because she didn’t get her way.

I had taken every misunderstanding and turned it into another reason for Dad to distrust her.

And he had listened.

For years, I had watched Paige become more distant while telling myself that it was her choice.

L

HAPTERJA

Now I understood that I had helped push her away.

Treached the guest room and closed the door behind me.

The room was comfortable, clean, and secure, but I still felt trapped.

Derek was sitting outside in the hallway, and I knew he would remain there because Jace had ordered constant watch.

I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at my hands and I wanted forgiveness.

The realization came suddenly, and once it arrived, I could not push it away.

I wanted Paige to forgive me. I wanted Dad to forgive me. I wanted everyone to look at me and believe that I was not the person I had become.

But wanting forgiveness didn’t mean I deserved it.

That was something I was beginning to understand.

A soft knock sounded on the door and I looked up seeing Paige outside.

“Can I come in?” She asked and I nodded.

She stepped inside but remained near the doorway.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

“I am sorry.” I said and Paige looked at me.

“I know.” She said.

“I mean it.” I said.

“I believe that you’re sorry.” She said and something inside me cracked.

“Then can you forgive me?” I asked.

Paige’s expression softened, but she didn’t move closer.

“Not yet.” She said and I swallowed.

“I understand.” I said.

“No, I don’t think you do.” She said.

She spoke quietly, but every word landed heavily.

“You want forgiveness because you are finally hurting, and I understand that, but I spent years hurting

while you were getting exactly what you wanted.” She said as I lowered my eyes.

“I know.” I said.

“You don’t get to decide when I am finished healing.” She said.

“I know.” I said.

25

CHAPTERIA

I’m not saying that to punish you.” She said

know. I said and she sighed.

“I’m saying it because if you really regret what you did, then you need to accept that I might never give you the relationship you want.” She said and my chest tightened.

“I don’t want to lose you completely.” I said and Paige looked at me.

“You already lost me once.” She said as the words hurt because they were true.

“I want to earn your trust.” I said.

“Then start by telling the truth.” She said and I looked at her.

“About what?” I asked.

“Everything.” She said and my heart began beating faster.

“Everything?” I asked.

“If there is anything else you have not told us about Victor, you need to tell Jace.” She said.

I hesitated and Paige noticed.

“What are you hiding?” She asked.

“Nothing.” I said and the lie came automatically.

I saw disappointment cross her face and then I realized what I had done.

Even now, when I was trying to change, I had lied without thinking and I closed my eyes.

“There is something.” I said and Paige waited.

“I knew Victor was watching Lawson Customs before the first attack.” I added as her expression hardened.

“How long?” She asked.

“Several weeks.” I said.

“And you knew?” She asked.

“I knew he was interested in the garage, but I did not know how far he would go.” I said.

“That’s not enough.” She said.

“I know.” I said.

“Why did you keep quiet?” She asked as I looked at her.

“Because I thought I could control him.” I said as Paige shook her head.

“You keep saying that.” She said.

35

HACER LA

“Because I believed it.” I said.

And now?” She asked.

“Now I know I was wrong. I said and she nodded slowly.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify