Page 84 of The Hideout

Juliet’s forehead creased. “What?”

“I…want to build a life here in Liverpool, and I want you to be the biggest part of that life.”

“Y-you want to stay?”

Paige smiled, her scabbed lip pulling as she did so. “I’d really like to try.”

Juliet covered her face with her hands, sobbing as Paige placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Hey, come on. Please don’t cry. I don’t like seeing you cry.”

“I really thought I was going to lose you.” Juliet brought her hands away from her face, tears streaming down her cheeks. God, this woman had never looked so vulnerable as she had these last few days. “I couldn’t imagine you staying. I didn’t think I was worth it for you.”

“Oh, you’re worth it. You’re far more than worth it. Believe me.”

“Paige, when I told you I loved you, I meant it. I wasn’t just telling you what you wanted to hear.”

Paige shifted closer to Juliet, groaning a little. She really wished she didn’t still feel so sore almost a week on. But in time, and with Juliet’s embrace, she would feel better. It was onwards and upwards from this point forward. It had to be. “I know. You wouldn’t have done any of this for me if you didn’t.”

“It’s taking a little time for me to understand what’s happening here. I’m not sure I’m convinced that it’s possible to just fall in love with someone so easily, but it really has been easy with you, Paige. I feel as though I’ve known you my entire life.”

“I know, babe. Me, too.”

“You really are extraordinary,” Juliet said, cupping Paige’s cheek. “I hope you know that.”

“You make me believe that I can be who I am.”

“And you make me believe that I can have a beautiful future.”

“Will you still be there with me tomorrow when Harriet comes in? I’d like to introduce you to one another.”

Juliet’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to. Does…this mean you’re going to come out?”

“I am.” Paige cleared her throat, sitting back on the couch as carefully as she could. “There was something else I needed to tell you, too.”

“O…kay.”

“When I got to Kent and let myself into the house, Harriet was there. She’s been sleeping with James.”

“You’re joking!”

“I’m not. And as you can probably guess, I’m not mad at her either. But I do have to tell her the truth about my marriage with him. I’d never forgive myself if she decided to have a relationship with him and he hurt her.”

“That’s very big of you, but then again, it’s not as though you were still in love with him. If anything, she’s probably done you a favour in some weird, messed-up way. Because she kept him busy when he could have been seeking you out.”

“Yeah. I suppose that’s something to thank her for. But…I’m worried that she’s going to stay with him.”

Juliet nodded slowly, sipping her whiskey. “Yes, that’s not ideal. Having said that, she’s going to have more information once you’ve spoken to her. All you can do is hope she makes the right decision for herself.”

Paige chewed her lip, staring down at their entwined fingers. There was only one way she could ensure Harriet’s safety in the long run…as well as any other woman James came across. “Juliet, I think I’ve changed my mind.”

“About what?”

“G-going to the police. I want to press charges. It’s the only way I’ll be able to live with myself. You know?”

Juliet exhaled a long breath, placing what looked like a relieved hand to her chest. “Oh, thank God. I didn’t want to push you to do that, but I’m glad you are. He cannot get away with this, Paige.”

“I’ll go to the police station tomorrow morning. Make a statement or whatever it is that I need to do. I’ll tell them everything.”

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