The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 386

Anthony drew in a long breath, his eyes lingering on Charlotte, heavy with something he didn’t say. He turned away without another word, heading back to the car. He grabbed a cigarette, lit up, and leaned against the door, staring at the burnt-out SUV frame in the distance. Smoke curled from his lips, each drag slow and deliberate, his face set in a cold, unreadable mask.

Everything that had just happened kept replaying in his mind, scene after scene flickering behind his eyes. He couldn’t stop thinking about those five bullets he’d fired. If she hadn’t been so damn skilled, any one of them could have killed her. The thought hit him hard. His gaze grew even darker, and a kind of stormy misery seemed to close in around him, making him look even more alone and frustrated.

By the time he finished his third cigarette, his fingers were starting to burn. The sting snapped him back. He crushed out the butt, finally looking over at Charlotte, who sat in total silence on a stone bench nearby.

He didn’t know how it had happened, but Lottie had become the center of his world. Just imagining life without her felt like getting struck by lightning. His chest tightened, panic threatening to swallow him whole. He couldn’t lose her. He just couldn’t.

He let out a soft sigh, shrugged off his coat, and walked over. Without a word, he draped it gently around Charlotte’s shoulders.

She was still angry, and immediately reached up to push the coat away, but Anthony moved faster. He wrapped both arms around her, coat and all, pulling her into a tight hug. His warmth seeped into her, chasing away the chill.

“Just let me,” he murmured, his voice low against her hair.

Before she could snap back, she heard the roughness in his tone, thick with guilt. “Are you hurt? Anywhere at all?”

His question caught her off guard. Was he really trying to comfort her now?

“If I’d known it was you, there’s no way I would’ve given the Termination Order.”

Since she clearly didn’t want to talk, Anthony didn’t push. Instead, he held her face gently, his eyes full of regret. “I’m sorry, Lottie.”

“I honestly had no idea it was you in that car. I almost…” His voice trembled, and so did his fingers as he stroked her cheek, like a kid who knew he’d really messed up.

Charlotte studied him for a few seconds, then raised an eyebrow. “You know, you looked really scary when you were yelling at me just now.”

Anthony stayed quiet, still looking at her with those gentle, patient eyes, letting her get it out.

She swung her feet, a crooked smile tugging at her lips. “Anthony, your aim is seriously impressive,” she said, her tone almost teasing. “I was this close to dying.”