The days that followed were not especially hard, at least emotionally, as Jas had already co to terms with everything concerning his mother. Between them, things went smoothly.
They talked about life, about her wish to enjoy what remained of it away from death, blood, and the tornt that inevitably followed him. She made it clear that this choice did not an she was abandoning Jas. She simply wanted to rember him as the boy he once was, not to relive every pain tied to who he had beco, which Jas understood, and he let her go, though not without setting a few rules.
First, the house Erika would live in had to be inside a gated community with constant security, and even if she went out, there would be people following her to protect her... sothing that Erika imdiately denied, as she wanted to distance herself from all of that.
Seeing n with guns following her, feeling the constant fear that she could be killed every ti she stepped outside... she just wanted a normal life. So that plan was scrapped. Still, Erika chose a house with security asures, and of course, Jas wasn’t going to let her have everything exactly as she wanted.
Instead of using his own n to protect her, Jas called Darvik and asked if he could send so people to watch over her and of course, Darvik agreed, knowing it would strengthen their relationship, and Jas also knew that soone like Darvik would be the best choice to keep her safe without him having to worry.
So in record ti everything was done. Within two days, a house was bought in one of the richest neighborhoods. There was no need for bank approval, where the money cos from, and so on, nah. One tour of the house, talking with the real estate agent, and everything was paid... in cash, and nobody said anything.
Within those two days, Erika had gained her own life, her own protection, and a renewed will to live... but one question still lingered between her and Jas, one that needed an answer.
"She can be with , Jas, and at least she can be a child... act like she’s ant to act," Erika said as they sat in the new house’s living room, wooden floors, grey décor, and a large golden chandelier hanging above them.
"I think that’s impossible for her." Jas replied, his eyes fixed on the gleaming chandelier. "Sotis I’m just blown away by how she talks, thinks, and asks questions. Sotis she acts like an adult, and it’s impossible to reverse."
"But we both know why she does it." Erika replied. "What life did she have, Jas? She was beaten, she saw drugs, people being killed... it was the norm. Of course she’s older up there." She pointed to her head. "But we can work on it, help her be a child at least. If she goes with you, it will only be worse."
Erika was right, and she didn’t say it because she wanted to take Charlotte away from Jas, no, she said it because it was all true. If Charlotte stayed with Jas, who knew what would happen... who knew what might beco of the cute bomb of the family, or even of Jas himself... as Charlotte was the biggest liability more than that, she was a child who should be in school, who should be living her best life, far away from horrors, from death, and from the mafia.
"I promised her." Jas began, now looking at his mother. "I promised her— and I broke that promise many tis. And you know, until now, I didn’t really realize what I ant to her. She loves and thinks of as a father, not a stepfather, not an adoptive father, but a real one... and I abandoned her so many tis... and still, every ti she sees , that light in her eyes, that smile, the way her face just lts ..." He shook his head slightly, a faint smile forming. "I never thought I’d think of her as a daughter. The whole concept was absurd to ... but that absurdity turned into reality so quickly... and I think she’s the only one who loves unconditionally and it’s not because she’s a child. No. It’s because that’s what love is, and that’s what I am to her." He looked back at the chandelier. "A child who idolizes . A child who sohow understands ... I don’t think I could ever abandon her. I could never pass her on like that... she’s too close to my heart."
"That’s the problem, Jas..." Erika whispered quietly. "W-what if... if sothing happens to her?"
She didn’t want to push that idea, didn’t want to say it out loud, but both of them knew the possibility was there... that she would be hurt, that she would be killed... or worse, that trauma so deep would turn her into a completely different person as she grew up.
"If sobody hurts her..." Jas began, and that was when she saw it... she felt it. Those eyes... Erika recognized them instantly, the sa eyes he had when he went on a rampage, that darkness inside them. "...I would kill their whole family, their whole generation, just to make sure they understand their sin,ó." Jas said, his voice low, his gaze still locked onto Erika. "...But it’s true for you too, Mom. Don’t think I wouldn’t burn down the country just to find the ones who hurt you."
She didn’t answer imdiately... she realized that this wasn’t anger speaking, not rage or impulse, but sothing more frightening... certainty. She had seen this side of Jas before, back when Rafeal and Hans died and there was no turning back, and that was what terrified her now, because he wasn’t shouting, he wasn’t trembling, he wasn’t even raising his voice.. he was calm, composed...
Jas Bellini, the Don of the Bellini family... her son... no, he was no longer a son, just a shadow of him, a shadow that would remain to pursue her, as it showed that she still loves and will love him to death.
"Though I’ll co to visit often, so if you find a man, be ready to introduce him." Jas said with a smile, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere.
"I’ll never have anybody." she replied as he stood up. "And you gave enough money to have male strippers every day until my death." She laughed and began laughing even harder when she saw Jas’s disgusted face. "Just jokes darling... I love you." She hugged him tightly.
"I love you too." Jas said, gripping her firmly... but then he felt sothing else... another hug from behind.
" too." Charlotte’s voice ca... like a little invisible ghost.
"I hope you didn’t hear anything." Jas said as he turned around and picked her up.
"I might have." she replied, staring into his eyes. "...but I’ll stay with you forever, for sure." She whispered, her small hands wrapping around him.
She did hear it, huh...
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