Between Us

Chapter 43 : Out of Breath

I leaned against the kitchen counter, a warm mug of coffee cradled in my hands, my eyes fixed on Charlotte and Mia. They were sprawled out on the carpet, lying on their stomachs, pencils in hand as Charlotte showed Mia how to draw. Mia's little brows were furrowed in concentration, her tiny hands moving carefully as she tried to mimic Charlotte's strokes. The sight brought a soft smile to my lips. Moments like these, where things almost felt normal, were rare and precious.

But my mind was somewhere else, hovering over the lingering anxiety that had settled deep in my chest since last night. I kept thinking about the car we'd spotted on the security camera, parked a little too far down the street to be casual, and the shadowy figure who seemed to be watching from just beyond the edge of the building. I told myself it could've been nothing—just a person out for a stroll or a car parked at an awkward angle—but the way they'd lingered made me uneasy.

Still, I tried to focus on the silver lining. It was Mia's last day of school, and after today, she and my mother would be on their way to stay with my grandparents. Away from here, away from all the uncertainty. That thought alone gave me a bit of comfort. As long as they were out of this mess, I could breathe a little easier. The plan was in place, and soon, they'd be far from here. Far from anything or anyone who could harm them.

I took a slow sip of my coffee, letting the warmth of it spread through me, grounding me in the present. Watching Charlotte laugh softly as Mia's little hand struggled to get the curve just right, I felt that familiar tug in my chest—a mix of love, protectiveness, and fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of what might still come. But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside, trying to savor this fleeting moment of calm before whatever storm might be brewing.

My mother stood beside me, her arms crossed, her gaze shifting between me and the scene unfolding on the floor. I could sense the weight of her worry before she even spoke.

"Engfa," she said quietly, her voice tinged with that familiar motherly concern. "Are you going to tell me what's really going on now? What's happening with all of this?"

I took a sip of my coffee, letting the warmth settle in my chest as I gathered my thoughts. I didn't want to lie to her, but I also couldn't risk her knowing too much. She didn't need the stress. "I've told you everything you need to know, Mom," I replied softly, glancing at her. "I think it's best if you and Mia go somewhere else for a while. You could go stay with Grandma and Grandpa. They'd love to have Mia around, and it'd be good for both of you to get away, have a fresh start."

My mother's eyes narrowed slightly, not buying the easy explanation. "Why now?" she pressed, her voice still calm but firm. "We've managed just fine so far, and now you're talking about leaving everything behind?"

I kept my gaze on my coffee, my fingers tapping lightly against the ceramic. "Things are different now," I said carefully. "You deserve some peace, and Mia... she should get to know her grandparents better. It's a good chance for both of you to breathe, to be somewhere calm."

I could feel her eyes on me, searching for the truth beneath my words. I knew she was too smart to be completely convinced, but I wasn't ready to tell her everything. She'd been through enough, her health already fragile. I wouldn't add to her burden.

She sighed, her expression softening slightly, though I could tell she was still not fully convinced. "And what about you?" she asked, her voice gentler now. "What will you do?"

I shrugged, keeping my tone light. "I'll stay here for a bit longer, save up some money. Once I have enough, maybe we can think about getting another place. Somewhere nicer, maybe."

She wasn't convinced, I could tell. She reached out, touching my hand that was resting on the counter. "You've always been strong, taking on more than you should. But you don't have to face everything on your own, you know that? You can tell me if something's wrong."