Page 226 of Beautiful Collide

His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t interrupt. He just listens.

“I survived with just a few scrapes and bruises,” I continue, my voice cracking slightly, “but they didn’t make it. The worst part is that I remember it. The screaming, the sound of the car crashing . . . everything.”

Hudson’s hand finds mine, his warmth grounding me. He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t push—just holds on.

I swallow hard, blinking back the tears threatening to spill. “After the accident, my uncle became my legal guardian. He moved into our house with Dane and me, but . . . Dane didn’t stay long. Dane and him—” I pause, the words lodging in my throat. “They didn’t get along. Dane was eighteen but still inhigh school. He was barely old enough to take care of himself, let alone me. But when my uncle kicked him out . . .”

“Wait.” Hudson cuts in gently, his brow furrowing. “Kicked him out? What the hell? I never knew you lived with anyone but Dane.”

I nod, pressing my lips into a thin line. “Yeah. He didn’t like Dane challenging him or telling him how to take care of me. So he kicked him out, and I was left alone with him.”

Hudson’s hand tightens around mine, and I feel the anger radiating from him beneath his calm exterior.

“Dane fought for custody,” I say quickly, rushing to the next part before I lose my nerve. I can’t tell him all Dane had to do to get me, but I tell him what I can. “He worked multiple jobs, hired a lawyer—he did everything he could. But for months, while he was fighting, I had to stay with my uncle. And he . . . he didn’t want to take care of me.”

Hudson exhales sharply, his jaw clenching. “What did he do?”

I close my eyes briefly, forcing myself to say it. “To keep me out of his way, he used to lock me in the closet. Sometimes for hours. I don’t know if it was because he didn’t want to deal with me or if it was just easier for him. All I know is that I was alone. In the dark. And I couldn’t do anything about it.”

“Did he ever . . . um, hurt you?”

“He did. But mainly, he would just leave me in the closet.”

Hudson straightens, his eyes blazing with fury. “Molly . . . Jesus Christ.”

“It’s why I freak out in tight spaces,” I say quickly, needing to explain before his anger consumes the moment. “Why closets, small rooms . . . why it’s hard for me. Why I need to have control. But this week . . .” My voice softens as I look at him. “This week has been different.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve helped me more than you know,” I say, my words trembling but honest.

“How?”

“You didn’t push me,” I say. “You didn’t force me to confront it. You just . . . made me feel safe. Sitting in the barn, riding Gracie. Skating . . . I didn’t feel trapped. I felt like I could breathe.”

Hudson’s eyes soften, his hand still firmly holding mine. “Molly, I didn’t do anything special. You did that yourself.”

I shake my head, tears brimming in my eyes. “No. I didn’t. I couldn’t have. Not without you.”

He stays silent for a moment. Finally, he sighs, his voice low and raw. “I hate that you went through that,” he says quietly. “I hate that someone could do that to you. Whatever happened to your uncle?”

“He’s gone . . . Out of our lives. Most likely drunk somewhere.” Hudson narrows his eyes at my words. “Let’s just say he won’t be bothering me anymore.”

It’s not my story to tell. It’s Dane’s, and I need to respect that.

“I’m glad you told me.”

I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand, forcing a shaky laugh. “You’re not going to use this as leverage to win a game of charades, are you?”

He laughs softly, the sound easing the tension. “Oh, absolutely. Next time you hesitate, I’m pulling the ‘you trusted me with your trauma’ card.”

I roll my eyes, laughing despite myself. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Yet you’re still sitting here with me,” he teases.

I glance at him, my heart pounding. “Yeah,” I say softly. “I am.”

He shifts closer, his hand never leaving mine. “You’re stronger than you think, you know that?”

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