Chapter 118: Chapter 118: A Shopping Disaster
Third POV
In no time, they had blown through several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Asher carried shopping bag after shopping bag, his arms aching from the weight. Hazel’s energy seemed endless as she moved from store to store with the enthusiasm of a child in a candy shop.
At least she looked happy again. Her earlier tears were completely forgotten as she examined another designer purse with sparkling eyes. But with every item she bought, Asher felt his anxiety growing.
The numbers kept climbing in his head. Two thousand for the handbag. Five thousand for the jewelry set. Three thousand for the shoes she just had to have. His credit cards were taking a serious beating.
“Asher, look at this!” Hazel called out, holding up a silk scarf that probably cost more than most people’s monthly salary. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”
He forced a smile. “Beautiful.”
She draped it around her shoulders and posed in front of a mirror. “I think it brings out my eyes. What do you think?”
“Absolutely,” he said, though privately he wondered if any scarf was worth eight hundred dollars.
Hazel seemed to notice his hesitation. She turned to face him, her expression suddenly uncertain. “Am I spending too much? I don’t want to be a burden.”
Asher gritted his teeth. The concerned look on her face reminded him of why he was doing this. She had lost everything because of the pack’s decision. She was risking her life just to meet him today. The least he could do was make her happy.
“You’re my Luna,” he said, putting on his best performance. “This money is yours anyway. Spend whatever makes you happy.”
Her face lit up with relief and joy. “Really? You’re the best, Asher.”
She kissed his cheek before turning back to the sales associate. “I’ll take three of these scarves in different colors.”
Asher’s wallet cried silently as he handed over his credit card again.
As they continued shopping, he couldn’t help but think about Estelle. The comparison crept into his mind unwillingly, but once it started, he couldn’t stop it.
Estelle had always loved receiving gifts, but she never went for expensive items. She preferred thoughtful presents instead, such as handmade things that showed he had put time and effort into them.
He remembered her eighteenth birthday. He had spent hours learning to bake her favorite chocolate cake from scratch. When he presented it to her, slightly lopsided and imperfect, she had cried with happiness.
Whenever he did buy her something expensive for appearances, like their anniversary gifts, she would thank him but immediately start worrying about the cost.
“Asher, this necklace is beautiful, but it must have cost a fortune,” she would say. “You shouldn’t spend so much on me. Maybe we could return it and get something nice for Finn instead?”
Even when receiving gifts, she thought about their son first.
Speaking of Finn, Asher realized something troubling. Throughout these two hours of shopping, Hazel hadn’t mentioned their son once. Not even when they passed the children’s clothing store or the toy shop. She didn’t even ask about his well-being.
Finn was Hazel’s biological child, yet Estelle seemed to care more about his well-being than his actual mother did.
The thought made Asher uncomfortable, so he pushed it aside.
“One more store,” Hazel announced, pointing to an upscale boutique they hadn’t visited yet. “I promise this is the last one.”
Asher doubted that. That was what she said four stores ago. But he nodded anyway.
They entered the store, and Hazel immediately started buzzing about the newest designs from this particular brand. She moved between displays, touching fabrics and examining details.
“This collection just came in from Milan,” she said excitedly. “I read about it in a fashion magazine. The waiting list is usually months long.”
Asher tried to look interested while calculating how much damage this final store might do to his finances.
Suddenly, Hazel stopped short. Her entire body went rigid, and she grabbed his arm tightly.
Asher stopped as well, following her gaze across the store.
At the cashier counter stood a familiar figure with long black hair. The woman had just completed a purchase and was turning away from the register when Asher’s heart nearly stopped.
It was Estelle.
She looked different somehow. More confident, maybe. She wore clothes he didn’t recognize, and there was something about her posture that seemed changed.
She didn’t notice them as she moved to a nearby display case to examine something else.
“Estelle?” The name escaped his lips before he could stop himself.
***
Estelle’s POV
The silk tie had caught my attention immediately. The silver fabric was unlike anything I had seen before, with a subtle blue sheen that appeared at certain angles under the store lighting.
It would look perfect on Zayne.
I wanted to buy him something in return for the beautiful moonstone ring he had given me. Not only that, he had taken care of me when I was feeling unwell. Even this recent success in Blackmoon is part of his doing.
The tie seemed perfect. The blue sheen reminded me of my ring, and the sophisticated cut would complement his formal attire, which he often wore.
After making the purchase, I wandered to a nearby jewelry display case. A particular set caught my eye immediately. Cufflinks and earrings designed for couples, both featuring blue gemstones.
One stone was electric blue, brilliant and striking like Zayne’s eyes. The other was a lighter, softer ice blue that matched my own eyes perfectly.
I picked up the display case to examine the pieces more closely. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the symbolism appealed to me.
The cufflinks would look elegant with his formal shirts. It also went well with the tie I just bought.
“Estelle?”
My name rang out across the store in a voice I recognized instantly.
I looked up, and my expression immediately shifted to a frown.
Asher stood near the store entrance, loaded down with shopping bags. Next to him was Hazel, partially hidden behind oversized sunglasses and a scarf.
Of all the places to run into them.
