Between Us

Chapter 44 : Hopes on the Line

Nudee was busy tending to Jax, who winced with every touch. I couldn't stay still, pacing back and forth across the room, fury bubbling inside me. "You had one job, Jax," I spat, my voice low but heated. "One job: watch Mia, protect her. How could you let this happen?"

He glanced up at me, his eyes filled with regret, then quickly looked away. "I was waiting for her, but she never came out," he muttered, rubbing his bruised face. "Then some guy jumped me, started hitting me, asking where Charlotte was."

My heart twisted at the thought of Mia, probably terrified and crying right now. That image burned in my mind, pushing me over the edge. I grabbed my keys from the table near the entrance, my decision already made.

Before I could take another step, Charlotte caught my arm, her grip firm. She shook her head, eyes pleading. "Engfa, don't. It's a bad idea."

I turned to her, my voice sharp. "I have to go get her."

She wasn't backing down. "Let me go instead," she insisted. "I'll talk to my father. This is my mess to fix."

"Are you out of your mind?" I snapped back. "You're not going anywhere."

Charlotte's eyes flared with frustration. "No, you're the one who's lost it. All he wants is me. He's not going to hurt Mia if he thinks I'm—"

I cut her off, my patience wearing thin. "You are not leaving this apartment!" I shouted, the words echoing in the small space.

She flinched at my outburst, and it pulled me back to reality. I softened, grabbing her hands, my voice dropping to almost a whisper. "Please, Charlotte... stay here. I can't lose you, too."

Jax, despite his state, started to push himself up, determined. "I'm going with you then—"

I stopped him with a shake of my head. "No, stay here."

Charlotte pressed on. "At least let me come with you, Engfa."

I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of everything crushing down on me. "No," I said finally, trying to keep my voice steady. "Let me go get my sister. I promise, I'll come back with her."

I turned and pulled open the door, and just like that, I was face to face with Pichy. I frowned, my confusion growing, but then my gaze dropped to see Mia, standing right there, her small hand wrapped securely in Pichy's.

My heart skipped a beat, relief and shock hitting me all at once. I dropped to my knees, scooping Mia up into my arms, holding her so tightly I could feel her little heart beating against mine. I pulled back, checking her over, making sure she was okay. "Are you hurt, Mia?" I whispered, but she just wrapped her tiny arms around my neck, her head resting on my shoulder.

I stood up, still holding Mia close, and looked at Pichy, who was shutting the door behind her, eyebrows raised. "What kind of trouble have you all gotten yourselves into this time?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room, landing on each of us in turn.

Without thinking, I threw my arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. She seemed startled at first but then hugged me back. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice thick with gratitude. I didn't need the details right now. The only thing that mattered was Mia being safe.

Jax, still trying to wrap his head around everything, looked at Pichy. "What happened? How did you end up with Mia?"

Pichy sighed, glancing between all of us. "I was near the school," she started, "and I saw this guy I didn't recognize holding Mia's hand. Something felt off, so I didn't think twice. I ran up to them, shouting Mia's name so everyone around could hear. Grabbed her, made it seem like I knew what I was doing, and the guy just took off."