Between Us

Chapter 42 : Trace of Fear

I walked through the busy streets of the city with Jax at my side, grateful for the chance to clear my head while Charlotte was taking her afternoon nap. I'd thrown on a baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses, just in case anyone might recognize me.

Jax was beside me, puffing on a cigarette as he casually scanned the area. He couldn't seem to stop himself from constantly looking around, his eyes darting from one person to the next as if he was expecting trouble to jump out from behind every corner.

"Can you relax a little?" I told him, nudging his shoulder. "Act normal for once."

He sighed, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "I just don't think this was the best idea, Engfa," he muttered, rubbing his temples as if just thinking about it was giving him a headache. "When Charlotte wakes up and sees you're not there, she's going to freak out. And then I'm going to have to deal with all the drama. My head's already hurting just thinking about it."

I rolled my eyes and gave him another light jab in the ribs. "Come on. She's been through hell and back. She's allowed to be a little on edge."

As we continued walking, I glanced at the store windows, my mind wandering to Charlotte. She'd been through so much, lost so much, and I wanted to do something—anything—to bring a bit of happiness back into her life. Maybe it was a small gesture, but I wanted to buy her something, some clothes or anything that might make her feel special. I wanted her to see that she didn't need all the money and luxuries she'd lost. I could provide for her, make her feel like the princess she was to me.

"I want to pick up some things for her," I told Jax, pausing in front of a boutique that caught my eye.

He stopped with me, flicking his cigarette to the ground and crushing it under his shoe. "I'll wait out here," he said, leaning against the wall, his gaze still darting around as if he couldn't quite let his guard down.

I headed inside, leaving Jax to wait outside the store. The boutique was small but chic, with carefully curated racks of clothing that I could picture Charlotte wearing. I started browsing, running my fingers over soft fabrics and checking the prices as I went. I winced slightly at a few of the tags—everything seemed a bit pricier than I'd hoped.

"These prices are insane," I muttered to myself as I flipped through a rack of dresses, shaking my head.

Still, I wasn't about to leave empty-handed. After a bit more searching, I found a few items I knew Charlotte would love—some cozy sweaters, a beautiful silk blouse, and a pair of jeans that looked like they'd fit her perfectly. Then, on a whim, I spotted a small, delicate bracelet that was just too cute to pass up. It had a tiny charm shaped like a star, and I knew Charlotte would adore it.

Satisfied with my finds, I took the items to the register, trying not to think too hard about the total as I handed over my card. After everything Charlotte had lost, the least I could do was treat her to something nice.

I stepped out of the store with several bags in hand, and Jax immediately looked at me, then down at the shopping bags I was carrying.

"Looks like you bought half the store," he commented, raising an eyebrow.

I shrugged, giving him a small smile. "Just a few things to brighten her day," I said, holding up the bags.

Jax rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. "You're gonna spoil her rotten, you know that?"

"That's the plan," I replied, feeling a little lighter as we started walking back toward the apartment. I could only hope that when Charlotte saw what I'd bought, it would bring her even a small bit of happiness, something to remind her that she wasn't alone and that I'd always be there for her, no matter what.