Page 84 of The Edge Of Us

And for the first time in years, I believed someone.

I let myself believe him.

Chapter 47

Allen's POV

London air was different. Colder, sharper, a little like Corinne. It nipped at your skin and left you breathless,but still pulled you in with its quiet charm. I adjusted Astrid's coat collar as she waddled beside me, her tiny fingers gripping her stuffed bunny like it was her lifeline.

"Da-da, look! Red bus!" she squealed, pointing excitedly.

I chuckled. "I see it, baby. You want to ride one later?"

She nodded furiously, her curls bouncing under her wool hat.

Beside us, Kyle tugged at my coat. "Are we really seeing Mommy today? You said she's on TV now. Will she be mad if I'm not in school?"

I ruffled his hair. "She's gonna be surprised, not mad. And I already told Ms. Helen you're with me. One day off won't ruin anything."

But as I said it, doubt crawled in the back of my mind.

Corinne always had a plan. A schedule. A structure.

And I was walking into her world like a wrecking ball.

But I wanted-no, needed-to see her. To let the kids see her. Astrid had been crying for her at night. Kyle had drawn her face in crayon so many times, it was starting to worry me. And I-I missed her. More than I could admit out loud.

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The Luxe Beauty launch was chaos in perfection. Flashbulbs. Velvet ropes. Security guards in black earpieces and stylists swarming models. I walked in with Astrid on my hip and Kyle's hand in mine, and the buzz dimmed around us.

People stared.

I didn't care.

I spotted Brittany first, mouth falling open when she caught sight of us.

"What the hell," she muttered, then snapped into action. "Allen? What are you doing here-with the kids?!"

"Surprising their mom," I said simply.

She didn't even have time to argue before someone whispered in her ear, and she turned pale.

"She's on the runway. This is going to blow everything up. Do you even think-"

"Where's her office?"

"Upstairs. But Allen-"

"Thanks."

---

I waited until the show ended. I heard the applause. The music. The signature "Thank you for believing in Luxe Beauty" she always ended her speeches with.

Then I opened her office door.

She was laughing with Jasper and a few team members, champagne in hand. That glow on her face-the one that used to be just for me-dimmed the second she saw me.

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