Page 119 of Contentious

“I like that idea, but what do we do when they start to ask questions about what happened between us back in the day? They’ve always wanted to know what went so wrong, and we’ve dodged that question for all this time.”

“We tell them that’s between us and it’s going to stay that way. We can never tell them the truth about what drove us apart.”

“That needs to stay locked in the vault forever.”

“Agreed.”

“So where do we begin?”

“With Carson,” Corbin said. “He’ll be recovering for quite some time, and his parents should be front and center, helping with anything he needs.”

“What if he doesn’t want us there?”

“He said we can see him when he gets settled, so he’s already said he’s open to it. Let’s hope his second chance at life comes with a bit of forgiveness.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

“I’ll think of something, maybe work-related, that I need his help with. Stick with me, kid. We’ll figure this out.”

Kate rested her head on his shoulder. “I haven’t been this happy since before it all blew up.”

“Neither have I.”

“I won’t be truly happy, though, until we find a way to make amends to our children.”

“I know, sweetheart, but as long as we’re all still breathing, it’s possible to fix this.”

“I sure hope you’re right.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

While Carson napped, Cresley opened her laptop for the first time in more than a week and was immediately sorry she looked at the influx of email and social media comments about the stabbing at her home. Everyone wanted an interview or a comment or something about who Carson was to her and if they were dating. The photos of them at the premiere had been blasted all over the place, and speculation was running rampant. In every mention of Carson, the situation with his parents was included, too, which would be the last thing he’d want.

She wished she hadn’t looked.

The response to the statement Teagan had issued had been mostly positive, with good wishes directed at Carson and Cresley.

But everyone wanted to know the “rest of the story.” They were speculating about why her ex would’ve done such a thing and where he might be hiding out. Reporters had dug into Marlon’s past and reported every sordid detail of his downfall, including how he’d been evicted from his apartment months ago and had been crashing with friends in the interim.

His friend Rory was quoted as saying Marlon had become a freeloader, and he’d asked him to leave two weeks ago when he refused to contribute to the rent after sleeping on his sofa for months. “I love the guy, but enough was enough,” Rory had said. “I can’t believe the things he’s now accused of.”

Cresley had known he’d been evicted and was staying with Rory, thanks to the work Carson had done on her case. However, she hadn’t heard that Rory had kicked him out. Desperation had probably sparked his crime spree.

She glanced at Carson, sleeping on the chaise, and wished with her whole heart that she’d paid Marlon to go away and leave them alone. If she had, Carson wouldn’t have been so critically injured, and Ty wouldn’t have to contend with the terrible things his father had done.

Fucking tears…

She swiped at them with outrage that they refused to stop.

“Why are you crying again?” Carson asked without opening his eyes.

“Are you spying on me?”

“Just admiring the view.”

“I’m sure that view is spectacular.”

“One of the most spectacular views there ever was.”