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Chapter 322: When To Stay Quiet
"I'm already here," Mara said.She'd chosen a table near the window and was sitting with her phone face-up on the table, earphone in, the line open. The cafe was small and quiet — a neighborhood place, not the kind anyone would look twice at.Gray came through the door two minutes later. He didn't look her way. He went straight to the counter, ordered a cup of coffee, opened his laptop, and took a seat two tables back and to the left. Close enough to hear everything through the connection. Far enough that he read, to any casual observer, as a man in a cafe getting some work done.Mara glanced at his reflection in the window. She almost laughed. He was very good at looking ordinary when he wanted to."Is she close?" she asked quietly."Just got a message," Mara said. "She might be here.""Right. Take out the earphone and set it near you. Leave the mic open, I'll record from here."Mara slipped the earphone out and tucked it under the edge of her handkerchief on the table. She glanced a
Chapter 321: Something Dirty
Once they were sure Eli was settling, Gray knew it was time.He'd waited as long as he reasonably could. Eli needed to feel safe first, he needed to know the condo was real and the people in it were staying. That came first. But Alistair and Lita hadn't stopped existing while Gray was patient, and whatever was behind the adoption application hadn't gone away either.One night, after Eli was in bed and Lily's door was closed and the condo was quiet, Gray sat in the living room with the lights down. He should have been sleeping. His mind wouldn't cooperate.Selina came out of the kitchen and settled beside him on the couch, folding her legs up beneath her."Planning again?" she said."Was it obvious?""You go quiet like this," she said. "Like there's something turning over behind your eyes and you're waiting for it to come around right."Gray looked at the ceiling. "I've waited long enough. Eli's settled. It's time to move."Selina didn't look surprised. She'd known this was coming. She
Chapter 320: Out of Habit
Eli fell asleep before any of them.The guest room had been quietly rearranged over the past few days — some drawings tacked to the wall, a shelf cleared for whatever Eli might want to put on it, a night light plugged in on the far side of the bed. Nothing overwhelming. Just enough to make it feel like it had been thought about.Gray adjusted the blanket, then reached over and turned off the bedside lamp, leaving only the small light. He didn't want Eli waking in the dark and not knowing where he was."Goodnight, Eli," he said quietly."Goodnight, Eli," Lily whispered from the doorway.They stepped out. Selina was waiting in the hallway."Brother, I'm going to my room!" Lily announced, and was already gone before anyone could respond. Her door closed. A second later, the faint sounds of whatever she was doing on her tablet filtered through it.Gray shook his head. She was gaming. It was always games with her."Is he asleep?" Selina asked."Out immediately," Gray said.She smiled. "He
Chapter 319: Welcome Home
Even after Gray answered, Eli kept hold of his coat.Not tight the way it had been earlier, like letting go meant losing him entirely. This was different. More quiet Like habit. Like he just wanted to make sure.They stayed in the office a little longer while Eli came back to himself. Mara sat with them, and none of them uttered a word. They didn't need to. Eli just needed time, and they gave it.Lita returned with a small bag. Gray took it from her. When he lifted it, his expression moved slightly, the bag was lighter than he'd expected. Much lighter. He didn't say anything. He just carried it."We'll be going," Gray said.Lita walked them to the door. She was still smiling."Goodbye, Sir Adams.""Goodbye."They left.---Daniel had the car at the entrance. Gray opened the door for Eli, who climbed in slowly and settled in the back seat with his knees drawn up. He was quiet through most of the drive, but Gray could feel him loosening, his shoulders coming down a little, hands unclenc
Chapter 318: Starting Today
The days between felt longer than they should have.Gray knew the process was in motion. The foundation had confirmed it was expedited, Mara had the timeline, everything was supposedly in motion. He knew all of that and it still didn't really help. He still woke up earlier than usual and found himself checking his phone more than he needed to, refreshing the same inbox that hadn't produced anything new in the last two hours.Mara noticed but decided not to didn't bring it up. She just kept him busy with the actual work that needed doing. Store reports, a staffing review for the second branch, a supplier call he'd been putting off. When he got distracted mid-task she'd redirect without making anything of it.She was good at that.On the fifth day, his phone rang.Mara picked it up before he even reached for it, already pressing speaker by the time she crossed the room."Yes, hello? This is Mr. Adams's assistant.""Hello, Miss Mara. The papers have been finalized. You and Mr. Adams may
Chapter 317; Walking Wallets
The office was quiet the next morning. Gray was at his desk going through documents. Mara was standing across from him with her arms crossed, which was never a good sign. She'd been standing there for about a minute without saying anything, which was also never a good sign."Ten thousand," she said finally. Not a question. "Gray, adoption doesn't cost ten thousand. It shouldn't cost anything close to that. Processing fees, maybe a few hundred, but ten thousand?"Gray looked up from the screen. "That's what they said?""Yes. And they said it like it was normal." She pressed her fists against her sides. "They're taking advantage of you.""Doesn't matter," Gray said.Mara opened her mouth to respond. Then closed it. That wasn't the answer she'd been expecting.Gray leaned back. "That's why we're doing it this way.""We should report them," she said. "Or at least push back. We don't just... pay it.""And then what happens to Eli while we're doing that?" Gray asked. He kept his voice even.
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