The Bride Widow
Chapter 177 - 175: A Sensible Apology - Part 3

Chapter 177: 175: A Sensible Apology - Part 3

James had wandered deeper into the city, his small feet dragging as the weight of exhaustion pressed down on him.

When he stumbled upon a store with dimly lit windows and an eerie silence, he hesitated but pushed himself to enter.

His innocent mind didn’t register the red flags—the shadowed alleyway, the boarded windows, and the unsettling quiet that wrapped around the place like a fog.

The door creaked as James stepped inside, the scent of mildew and dust filling his nostrils. Shelves lined with strange, unidentifiable objects loomed around him, casting long shadows in the dim light.

The store was empty, or so it seemed, until a figure emerged from behind the counter. The shopkeeper, a man with a crooked smile and eyes that gleamed with ill intent, approached James slowly, his steps measured and quiet.

James’s instincts flared; something was wrong. He felt the prickling of fear at the back of his neck, a sense of dread that grew with every passing second.

He turned, ready to bolt back through the door he had just entered, but the shopkeeper was faster. In a swift movement, he grabbed James by the arm, yanking him back into the store before he could escape.

"Where do you think you’re going, little one?" the shopkeeper hissed, his grip tightening as he forced James to stay still.

James struggled, panic surging through him. He opened his mouth to scream, but the shopkeeper clamped a hand over it, silencing him.

Terror-stricken, James squirmed, his small body twisting and turning in a desperate bid to break free. But the shopkeeper was strong, his grip like iron, and James’s attempts to escape were futile.

Just as James thought all hope was lost, the door burst open with a loud bang.

Standing in the doorway was Noah, his eyes blazing with fury. He had been following James from a distance, sensing something was amiss when he saw the boy wander into the strange store.

Now, seeing James in danger, Noah sprang into action.

"Let him go!" Noah commanded, his voice sharp and unyielding.

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment, assessing the threat Noah posed, but the anger radiating from Noah was unmistakable.

Reluctantly, the shopkeeper released James, who stumbled forward, gasping for air.

James, overwhelmed and terrified, tried to run past Noah, but Noah caught him gently, his arms wrapping around the small boy to keep him from fleeing.

"It’s okay, James. You’re safe now," Noah said softly, his tone calming.

Still trembling, James buried his face in Noah’s chest, clinging to him as if letting go would plunge him back into danger. Noah carried him out of the store, his heart pounding with both anger at the shopkeeper and relief that he had arrived in time.

Once they reached the safety of a nearby park, Noah sat James down on a bench, keeping a protective arm around him. "James, you’re okay now. Can you tell me what happened?"

James shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "I... I thought I could find someone I was looking for.," he choked out, his voice barely audible. "But it was a trap."

Noah’s heart ached at the sight of the frightened boy. He took a deep breath, trying to suppress his anger to avoid scaring James further. "You’re brave for trying to help, but it’s dangerous out here alone. Let’s take a moment to calm down, and then we’ll figure out what to do next."

James nodded, sniffling as he tried to regain his composure. Noah’s calm presence was a balm to his frayed nerves, and slowly, the terror ebbed away, replaced by a weary sense of safety.

______

Noah kept his arm around James, providing a steady presence as the boy’s breathing slowed. He could see the turmoil in James’s eyes, the wariness etched into his young face. Noah knew that trust was a delicate thing, especially after what James had just endured. He decided to tread carefully.

"James," Noah began gently, "I can help you, but I need to know who you’re looking for. Maybe I can take you to them."

James hesitated, his small hands fidgeting with the edge of his shirt. The scare in the shop still lingered, making him wary of sharing too much. But something about Noah felt safe, like a protective wall between him and the rest of the world. After a moment of contemplation, James decided to take a leap of faith.

"I’m looking for Anabella," James admitted, his voice soft. "She’s my stepmother. I need to talk to her... to clear some things up."

Noah’s face remained calm, though James noticed a flicker of recognition in his eyes. It wasn’t the surprise James expected, and that realization sent a ripple of doubt through him. Why wasn’t Noah surprised? Alarm bells began to ring in James’s mind, but before they could escalate, Noah spoke again.

"Ah, Anabella," Noah said, nodding with a small smile. "I remember her. I was at your father’s wedding. Recognized you from the photos your dad shared online. He’s very proud of you."

The explanation was delivered smoothly, but James’s mind was still processing it, his guard only slightly lowering. Noah’s words made sense, but James had learned early on that appearances could be deceiving. However, the genuine warmth in Noah’s tone chipped away at the boy’s defenses, making him consider the possibility that Noah could be trusted.

Noah noticed the conflict playing across James’s face and decided to ease the tension further. "You must be hungry after everything. How about some ice cream? My treat."

James shook his head, the memory of the shopkeeper’s grip still fresh in his mind. "No, thank you," he mumbled, looking down.

Noah didn’t press further. "That’s okay. How about we take a walk to the bakery where Anabella works? I think you’ll feel better once you see her."

James’s eyes lit up at the mention of the bakery. The thought of seeing Anabella filled him with a mixture of hope and anxiety. He nodded, feeling a bit more at ease, and allowed Noah to guide him toward the familiar place.

The walk was quiet, the city bustling around them, but it felt like a bubble surrounded Noah and James, insulating them from the noise and chaos. As they neared the bakery, James’s steps quickened, his eagerness to see Anabella overriding his lingering fears.

When they arrived at the bakery, Noah gently held the door open for James. The scent of freshly baked bread and pastries wafted out, momentarily distracting James from his concerns. He stepped inside, the warm atmosphere wrapping around him like a comforting blanket.

Anabella was behind the counter, her hands deftly arranging a tray of cookies. She looked up as the door chimed, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw James. A smile broke across her face, but it faltered slightly when she noticed the tension in his posture.

"James!" Anabella exclaimed, coming around the counter to kneel in front of him. "What are you doing here, sweetheart? Is everything okay?"

James’s throat tightened, the words he had been rehearsing in his mind suddenly elusive. He nodded quickly, his gaze flicking to Noah, who stood quietly by the door. Anabella followed his line of sight, her eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed Noah.

"This is Noah," James said, finding his voice. "He helped me get here."

Noah offered a reassuring smile and a slight nod. "I found him wandering around and thought it best to bring him here."

Anabella’s gaze softened as she looked back at James. "Thank you, Noah. It’s good to know there are still kind people around." She turned her attention back to James, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "Are you sure you’re okay?"

James hesitated but then nodded again. "I... I wanted to talk to you about something important."

Anabella’s expression became serious. "Of course. Let’s go somewhere private so we can talk."

She led James to a small table at the back of the bakery, her hand resting gently on his shoulder. As they sat down, Noah remained by the door, his eyes scanning the street outside, ensuring they were safe.

James took a deep breath, the presence of Anabella finally calming the storm inside him. He glanced at her, feeling the weight of what he needed to say pressing down on him. "Anabella, I’m sorry. I... I wanted to understand why things are the way they are."

Anabella reached out, taking James’s small hand in hers. "You don’t need to apologize, James. Let’s talk about it. I’ll explain everything as best as I can."

Noah watched the exchange from his place by the door, feeling a sense of satisfaction that James had made it safely. He knew there were still challenges ahead, but for now, the boy was where he needed to be.

Noah’s eyes kept looking at the pair even as they disappeared behind the safe door and the intensity of his looks caused others to look away and not approach him.