Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 312

CHAPTER 175-1

I waited until Charlotte had stepped away from Uncle Will’s grave before I opened my car door, and even then, I remained seated for several seconds because I wasn’t sure whether following her would make the situation better or worse.

She had come here alone, and she had brought flowers. She hadn’t known I was watching, and that mattered because there was no reason for her to pretend if she believed nobody would see her.

I finally stepped out of the car and Charlotte heard the door close behind me, and she turned around quickly.

Her face changed when she saw me.

“I didn’t know you were here.” She said.

“I know.” I said.

She looked toward Uncle Will’s grave and then back at me.

“I suppose you heard what I said.” She said.

“Not all of it.” I said and she nodded slowly.

“That’s probably better.” She said.

I walked closer, but I stopped several feet away because neither of us seemed ready for anything more

than that.

For a moment, the only sound around us was the wind moving through the trees.

“I came here to apologize.” Charlotte said as I folded my arms.

“You have apologized before.” I said.

“I know.” She said as her voice was quiet, and there was no defensiveness in it.

“I also know that saying I’m sorry does not fix anything.” She added as I studied her face.

“You’re right.” I said as she looked down at the flowers.

“I spent years blaming you for things that were never your fault, and I made sure Dad believed me because

I liked being the one he protected.” She said.

My chest tightened, but I didn’t interrupt her.

“I lied about you, I manipulated people around you, and I helped Victor because I thought having his attention made me powerful.” She said and her eyes filled with tears.

“I thought I could control him, and when I realized I couldn’t, I ran to you because I wanted you to save me. “She said as I looked away briefly.

“That’s what hurt the most.” I said.

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“Hknow.” She said.

“No, Charlotte, I don’t think you really do.” I said and she nodded.

“Then tell me.” She said sol looked back at her.

Chaim

“You came to me because you were afraid of Victor, and even after everything you had done, I still helped you because I couldn’t watch someone die.” I said as Charlotte wiped beneath one eye.

“And I’m grateful.” She said.

“You shouldn’t be grateful that I did the bare minimum of being a decent person.” I said.

“You did more than that.” She said.

I didn’t answer because part of me wanted to tell her that she was wrong, but another part knew she was right.

I had given her a place to stay. I had allowed her to volunteer at Lawson Customs. I had listened when she finally started telling the truth. I hadn’t forgiven her, but I had stopped treating her like the enemy.

Charlotte took a slow breath.

“I’m not asking you to forgive me.” She said and that caught my attention.

“What?” I asked.

“I’m not asking for forgiveness.” She said as she looked directly at me.

“I’m not asking you to trust me, and I’m not asking you to forget anything.” She added as I remained silent.

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