As Amelia curled into Jo’s arms, tucked into a warmth she’d never dared dream of, she realised that the truth hadn’t broken them after all. It had finally set her,them, free.
As Jo stirredmilk into two cups of coffee, one hand braced against the counter as she tried to get her head around everything she’d heard this morning, she glanced towards the living room. Amelia sat curled up on one end of the couch, her legs drawn up beneath her as Jo’s hoodie swallowed her frame. She hadn’t said much since they’d left the bedroom, but Jo couldn’t blame her. It had to have been a lot for her to put herself and her heart on the line like that.
Jo watched her from the kitchen. There was something about Amelia’s stillness that felt unnatural. She wasn’t used to seeing her like this. Quiet and small, clearly weighed down by things Jo was only just beginning to comprehend.
She sighed and reached for the toast, dropping two slices onto plates. She wasn’t sure either of them could stomach anything more substantial right now. It had been quite the morning, and it was only nine. Still, everything within Jo ached to make this okay, to…dosomethingthat made it better. But how did you fix a past like that? How did you love someone through that kind of pain?
By staying, she thought.By being here.
She carried the plates and mugs through, placing one gently on the coffee table. “You okay with some toast for now?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Maybe if Amelia was feeling up to it later, Jo could treat them to lunch in the village just along the road. But for now, this was enough.
Jo sat beside her and tucked one leg under herself. “You haven’t said much since we got up.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Amelia smiled weakly. “It’s been a long time since I’ve let anyone see me like that.”
Jo’s gaze landed on the faint smudges beneath her eyes, then to the way Amelia’s hands were clasped tightly in her lap. She wanted to reach for her, but she didn’t. Not yet. Not until Amelia wanted her to. “I’m glad you told me,” Jo said. “Even if it broke my heart.”
Amelia exhaled slowly and reached for her cup of coffee.
“I’ve…been thinking,” Jo continued. “About us. About what I want, despite everything.”
Amelia turned to look at her, worry present in her eyes.
“I want to be with you, Amelia. Not just in moments like this, not in the dark, I wantallof it. The real stuff. You, as you are. The lies and mess and healing, too. I want to be with you while I figure it all out.”
Amelia’s fragility flickered across her face. “Y-you do?”
“I don’t care how complicated it is or if we still need to talk about things. I just wantyou.” Jo reached out, her fingers brushing Amelia’s. “I want to know more. I want to understand everything. Now that I know the truth, it changes everything for me. It also makes sense when it comes to certain things.”
A shadow passed over Amelia’s features. “I don’t understand…”
“Callum’s dad,” Jo said as she cleared her throat. “Henevertalked about him. I figured it was just old family stuff. We all have a broken relationship with someone we’re related to, butlast night, after what you told me…I get it now. I understand why he clammed up whenever I mentioned his dad.”
Amelia looked down at their joined hands. “What he said to me last night…”
“Whatdidhe say, Amelia?” Even though Jo never wanted to cross paths with him again, Callum had never been cruel to her. He’d cheated, yes, but if she found out now that he’d been abusive or raised his voice to Amelia, Jo would beveryshocked…and seething.
Amelia shook her head and sighed. “It all started because I wouldn’t give him anything when it came to you. He’d tried, failed, and I think he was looking for someone to lash out at. I was the perfect option, given the fact I was already slowly breaking. When I told him you’d moved on, he asked if that was with me.” Amelia scoffed. “I don’t know why he thought that, it’s not like he’s seen us together, but when I challenged him…he turned. Said it was no surprise that Geoff behaved the way he did because I’ll sleep with anyone.”
Yeah, that would do it. Jo was fuckinglividwith Callum now.
“I didn’t recognise him,” Amelia continued. “But I did. Because I sawhimin my son. His tone. His disgust. That…entitlement. And for a moment, I felt like I was back in that house again, standing in front of a man who could do whatever he wanted without consequence.”
Jo’s body physically ached. “Jesus Christ, Amelia…”
“I told Callum to get out. I told him we were done. He stood there, stunned, like he couldn’t believe I’d finally told him no. And then…then you texted me.”
“I had no idea.” Jo swallowed. “I just needed to see you. I wasn’t thinking about what you could be going through.”
“I’m glad you reached out.” Amelia squeezed Jo’s hand and smiled. “Because if you hadn’t, I think I may have stayed in that place. That dark, depressing place I swore I’d never go back to.”
Jo slid closer on the couch, taking Amelia in her arms. “You’re not alone anymore.”
“I know,” Amelia whispered. “But that’s the scariest part. Because it means I have something to lose again. It’s been so long since I’ve had to worry about something like that.”
