All Chapters of A contract for two: An Ashwood's bride: Chapter 21 - Chapter 23

The boy sat between them in the backseat, his fingers still sticky with sugar from the cookies he'd devoured at the orphanage. Talon didn’t say much during the drive. Halo glanced at him now and then, noting how he kept checking the rearview mirror, not out of caution, but to glance at the kid.They pulled into a wide stone driveway. A house stood ahead, elegant yet warm, vines curling up one side and flowerbeds neatly trimmed along the porch. There was an old bronze wind chime at the entrance, swaging softly in the wind. The scent of something sweet baking could be smelt from an open window.Halo stepped out first, scanning the peaceful surroundings. Talon opened the door for the boy, who stepped out hesitantly, holding onto the edge of Talon's jacket.The door creaked open before they could knock. An elderly man with a thick grey mustache and sleep in his eyes stepped out, blinking at the sunlight. He straightened when he saw Talon."Ashwood. You're a sight.""Eli. Sorry to drop i

Talon sat on the bench just outside the manor, staring blankly into the trees with his arms crossed.The doctor had come with the ambulance an hour ago. They took his father's body, wrapped it, covered it respectfully, and carried it out of the house. Zorro had watched them leave, his face tear-streaked. Halo stood quietly, a few feet away from Talon, watching him, but not coming too close.She wanted to at least offer comfort to him.But he didn’t want comfort.He didn't want to hear her soothing voice,He didn’t want pity or soft words.,He wanted silence.The doctor lingered behind. Talon had just opened his mouth to ask about the official report, stroke, heart failure, anything that could be written off as a natural death. But Dr. Gregg had hesitated, then gestured for Talon to follow him away from the others."I need to speak to you. Alone," the doctor said.Talon stepped onto the balcony with the doctor following behind him."What is it?"Dr. Gregg looked over his shoulder, the