Page 37 of Our Ruined Beginnings

“Made a mistake,” she finishes for me. “You’re just a kid, who I know adores Caleb. I would never think what happened was anything but a tragedy.” That can’t be it—that’s far too simplified. I made a huge, life-and-death error in judgment. Surely it’s not that easy? Not to everyone, anyway.

“Madden…” I trail off, no idea where I was even going with that, but Mrs. Taylor doesn’t make me finish it.

“Is also just a kid.” I don’t say anything else, but I mull over her words. Should I be forgiving Madden, giving him the benefit of the doubt? I know I would if he asked, instantly. Shame he can’t say the same. Mrs. Taylor squeezes my hand that’s still shaking, a concerned look on her face. “Are you okay, Harper?” Her eyes dart to my cheek, and I’d forgotten for a second that it probably still shows a bright red handprint.

“Not the best Christmas so far,” I half joke, but her brow creases as she sees right through me.

“Are you going home?” she asks.

I shake my head, my throat tight.Please don’t ask any more questions.

“Where are you staying?”

I shrug lightly, reluctantly.

“With us, then,” she says decisively, but I shake my head.

“Oh no, Mrs. Taylor, I couldn’t.”

“Of course you can. You’ve stayed a million times.”

“Not since…”

“No,” she agrees, “not since… But Freddie and I have no ill will toward you, Harper. In fact, we miss you, and we’ve been worried about you. So please, do us the favor of staying with us for the holidays?”

How do I say no to that? I can’t. She knows I have nowhere else to go, and I can’t reject their olive branch. I don’t want to.

“And please, call me Emma. You know that.”

I nod lightly, smiling gratefully up at her. “Thank you.”

“Anytime. I’m going to grab a coffee and dash to my meeting, but can I drop you anywhere? I didn’t see your car outside.”

“Oh I don’t—no, thank you.” My eyes dip ashamedly to my now cold coffee.

“Are you sure? I’m going right past, if you want to visit Caleb now that you’re home…”

“Really?”

My tone is disbelieving, but my eyes must light up because she chuckles at me, even if it’s with sympathy.

“Of course. You’re always welcome there; always have been. I won’t be a moment.”

This can’t be real, right? My own family kicks me out for my mistake, and now Mrs. Taylor—Emma—is here, telling me she never blamed me and letting me see Caleb for the first time? I wonder how Madden will feel about his mom’s generosity. I don’t tell her that he told me in no uncertain terms not to speak to any of them again, because I don’t blame him for that, but with their mom’s permission, I’m damn well going to take the chance to visit now.

Chapter Sixteen

Harper

Iholdmybreath.He’s right there … right behind this door. I can hardly believe it. For all the times I’ve thought about seeing him again—wishingfor it—I’m now terrified to step through. My breath leaves me in a panicked rush, and my feet twitch with the need to run away, but Emma’s soft hand on my back keeps me in place.

“He’d love that you were here,” she murmurs, and I think it’s supposed to be reassuring, but I can only hear the silentfinallyleft unspoken. Would he, though? Would he want me here, or would he wish I was as far away as possible, just like his twin does?

I nod and swallow harshly before I step forward, pushing the door open to step inside, and her voice filters in behind me, kind but determined.

“I need to get back, but stay as long as you like, and please, make your way to ours when you’ve finished here. I mean it.”

The door clicks shut quietly behind me, but I barely notice, my eyes locked on the boy from my childhood—the man laid in front of me.

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