Gray lingers in the doorway, unreadable but unwilling to leave. Our eyes meet, understanding and gratitude passing between us. He nods once, then turns and disappears down the hall.“Rhett?” Her voice is soft, uncertain.
“I’ve got you,” I tell her, brushing a strand of hair back from her face. “We’ve got you.”
Jace reappears in the doorway, his expression tight. “Bath’s ready.”
I lift her again, carrying her into the bathroom, and the steam curls around us like a living thing. Jace strips down and climbs into the tub first, settling into the water. I lower Bree carefully into his waiting arms, then strip down myself before climbing in behind her.
He hands her back to me and immediately she leans back against my chest without hesitation, and something in me settles.
Jace moves closer to us, his green eyes locked on her face.
For a moment, no one speaks.
I reach for the soap, lathering it between my hands, and begin washing her shoulders, her arms, her back. Slow. Careful. Reverent.
Jace mirrors me, his hands gentle as he works through her hair, untangling the knots with infinite patience.
The water holds us, weightless, like it could dissolve everything we’ve done wrong if we just stay still long enough.
And I know—Iknow—we don’t deserve this. Not after what we did.
“Bree.” Jace’s voice breaks the silence, raw and rough. “We need to tell you something.”
She stills in my arms.
I close my eyes, my hands pausing on her shoulders.
Silence stretches.
“We didn’t know,” Jace says finally, his voice cracking. “We thought it was you. We—” He stops, swallowing hard. “We slept with Riley.”
The words hang in the air like a blade laid on the table.
I force myself to keep going. “I didn’t see it. Didn’t feel it. I was so sure it was you, and I—” My voice breaks. “I’m never sure. About anything. But I was sure about that. And I was wrong.”
Jace’s hands have stilled in her hair, his eyes shining. “It was my first time with you. I thought—” His voice breaks. “I thought I was touching your soul. I thought some magic had taken your scars.”
Bree’s hand lifts, reaching for him, and Jace catches it like a lifeline.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
“We both are,” I add, my voice thick. “We failed you. We should have known. We should have—”
“Stop.” Bree’s voice cuts through the guilt, but not even her voice can make it go away.
I freeze.
She turns in my arms, her green eyes locking on mine, then shifting to Jace.
Silence again. The water ripples around us.
“You didn’t fail me,” she says quietly. “Riley did this. She manipulated all of us. Shewantedthis—for us to doubt each other, to tear each other apart.” She swallows hard. “I don’t blame you.”
Jace’s face crumples. “Bree—”
“I don’t,” she says firmly. “But I need to tell you something too.”
My stomach drops.
