Chapter 171 171
Alexandre drove them to a nearby shopping mall. Sofía occupied the front passenger seat while the three girls settled in the back. Eugénie filled the car with constant chatter, her voice bright and animated as she talked without pause. Jacqueline sat in the middle, Charlotte on her right.
From the corner of her eye, Jacqueline noticed something interesting Alexandre had subtly adjusted the rearview mirror so that it reflected Charlotte perfectly.
A quiet smirk curved Jacqueline’s lips.
Someone had a crush.
Soon Alexandre parked the car, and everyone stepped out before heading inside. Sofía led them toward a boutique located beside the mall that specialized in designer gowns. The moment they entered, the store manager greeted Sofía with a broad, welcoming smile.
“I’ve been waiting for you” the woman began warmly.
But her sentence faltered when her eyes landed on Jacqueline. She cleared her throat quickly before gesturing politely.
“Ma’am, this way.”
She escorted them into the VIP section while Alexandre trailed behind, looking half-asleep.
His brothers had deliberately assigned this task to him, fully aware of how long women usually spent shopping. He was already bored out of his mind. Still, someone here had managed to keep his interest, so accompanying them wasn’t entirely unbearable.
“I’ve selected the finest pieces for you and your daughters,” the manager said with a bright smile directed at Sofía before turning to one of the staff members. “Rosa, bring them.”
A young employee rolled in a rack filled with stunning gowns. The fabrics shimmered under the lights, each dress more beautiful than the last.
The manager began lifting hangers one by one, presenting the gowns for them to admire.
“Choose whichever one you like, Jacq darling,” Sofía said gently, smiling at her.
Jacqueline’s eyes lit up immediately. She loved nicknames something about them made her feel unexpectedly warm.
She nodded and stood up, moving closer to inspect the dresses. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Charlotte and Eugénie already selecting their gowns before heading toward the changing rooms.
Then Jacqueline spotted a breathtaking nude-colored dress.
Her eyes brightened instantly.
She walked over to it and ran her fingers lightly along the material. The gown was stunning, its front delicately adorned with intricate, diamond-like embellishments that caught the light beautifully.
Curious, she flipped over the price tag.
Her excitement instantly dimmed.
It was far too expensive.
After giving the gown one last lingering look imagining briefly how it might look on her she moved toward another section where the prices were far more reasonable. Damien had told her to buy whatever she wanted, but it still wasn’t her money.
Eventually she found a lovely dress.
It was elegant and dark brown, the exact shade of her eyes. The dress was knee-length with delicate shimmering details along the hem and featured an off-shoulder design. The price was modest compared to the others.
Satisfied, she headed toward the changing rooms.
But she slowed when she noticed something strange.
Alexandre stood with his back toward her, his tall frame blocking Charlotte’s path. One of his hands rested casually inside his pocket.
“Blue would match your eyes perfectly,” he said, his voice surprisingly gentle.
Charlotte looked completely flustered.
“I… uh… can you… uh… move a little back… I w… want to wear what I… want to wear,” she stammered nervously.
“Of course, princess,” Alexandre replied in a low rasp. “But you would look ethereal in blue.”
Charlotte took another step backward.
“No… th-thanks,” she murmured quickly before slipping past him while clutching a black gown tightly in her hands.
Alexandre sighed and turned around.
Only to freeze when he noticed Jacqueline standing there, watching him with a knowing smirk.
He glanced at the blue dress still in his hand before awkwardly tossing it onto a nearby couch and scratching the back of his neck.
Jacqueline walked closer.
“I wonder what Damien and Dominique would say if they heard you giving fashion advice to their little sister,” she said thoughtfully.
His eyes widened instantly.
“You won’t say a word,” he warned.
Jacqueline snorted.
“Relax. Calm down,” she said dismissively. “But you’d better not bother that poor innocent girl too much, or I might suddenly become very talkative.”
Alexandre shot her a glare.
“I think you have a death wish,” Jacqueline continued teasingly, “developing a crush on your best friend’s little sister.”
“Can’t help it,” he muttered.
Jacqueline raised her brows playfully.
“So when are you planning to confess?”
For a brief moment her expression reminded him so strongly of Gabrielle that his chest tightened. A sad smile touched his lips as he remembered the promise he had once made.
“Soon,” he murmured quietly.
Jacqueline shrugged.
“Well, that’s unfortunate. Don’t worry though I promise I won’t cry at your funeral.”
Alexandre chuckled softly, knowing full well Damien and Dominique would likely kill him if they ever found out.
He walked away while Jacqueline slipped into the changing room to try on her dress.
The fit was nearly perfect except it felt slightly tight around the chest.
She stepped back out, holding the dress carefully.
“Did it fit?” Sofía asked immediately, hurrying over.
“Yes, but…” Jacqueline turned toward the manager. “It just needs a little adjustment around the chest.”
The manager nodded and instructed a staff member to take Jacqueline’s measurements.
Sofía offered to pay for the dress, but when Jacqueline showed her the card Damien had given her, Sofía simply smiled and let her handle it.
Afterward they visited a jewelry store, then stopped to buy shoes.
Jacqueline also picked up several casual outfits, undergarments, and a few other things she needed. She even bought some clothes for Mathieu.
Eventually Alexandre practically begged them to leave the mall.
Before heading home, they stopped at a cozy little restaurant and enjoyed a late brunch together.
Jacqueline was grateful that Sofía and her daughters never once questioned her about why she was staying at the house. They treated her with nothing but kindness. Throughout the meal, Jacqueline chatted with Sofía endlessly about all sorts of things.
They were bonding easily.
There was something comforting about Sofía something warm and familiar that made Jacqueline feel strangely at home.
Later, Alexandre dropped her off at the house. She stood watching as the car disappeared down the road.
With both hands full of shopping bags, she walked up the pathway toward the front door. She was just about to set the bags down so she could knock
When the door suddenly swung open.
She found herself standing directly in front of Damien’s chest.
Her eyes widened slightly. She hadn’t expected him to be home. She thought he had already left for work.
Without saying anything, he leaned down and took the bags from her hands.
She blinked in quiet surprise.
He carried them inside while she stepped in after him and closed the door behind them.
“Where do you want these?” he asked.
Why was he acting so… gentlemanly?
“In my room,” she said softly.
He nodded and headed upstairs with the bags.
Jacqueline remained where she was.
Being alone with him inside the privacy of her room felt like a disaster waiting to happen.
A soft smile spread across her lips. It had felt wonderful to escape the house for a day.
A moment later she heard his footsteps returning.
Turning around, she extended his card toward him.
“Thank you.”
Her smile was radiant so bright and genuine that it struck him like an arrow straight through the heart.
Damien swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple moving as he took the card from her hand, still caught in the spell of that smile.
Then she turned and walked away, leaving him standing there alone.
And he realized something troubling.
Staying away from her was becoming far more difficult than he had expected.