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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.
Chapter 316: Just Say the Price
The meeting was arranged by the following afternoon.Alistair Reid's office was large and well-appointed. The kind of space that communicated competence and stability without appearing to try. Framed photos covered one wall from shoulder height to near the ceiling: ribbon cuttings, handshakes, groundbreaking ceremonies, community events, award presentations. Every photograph was a version of Alistair standing near something being made official, positioned just right. A man who had spent years understanding the value of being present at the right moments and making sure there was a record of it.He greeted them at the door with the same warm ease Gray remembered from the restaurant."Mr. Gray. Miss Mara." He extended his hand. "Thank you for coming to me directly. I'm sorry I couldn't arrange something more formal, things have been hectic.""We appreciate you making time," Gray said, shaking his hand. "We know it was short notice.""Not at all." Alistair gestured toward the chairs. "Pl
Chapter 315: No Clean Way Out
The room stayed quiet.Mara didn't speak. She watched Gray, who had gone completely still from the moment she'd said it."One of the old workers," he repeated. Slowly. Like he was hoping the words would rearrange themselves into something that made more sense.They didn't.His jaw tightened. He looked down at his hands, then at the floor. The anger was there. He could feel it moving up through his chest, looking for somewhere to go. He kept it down. Pressed it flat.He leaned back against the couch cushions and let out a long, measured breath."An adoption paper," he said. "Already prepared.""Yes," Mara said. "Not signed. But it was ready.""And the listed guardian was someone who hurt him."Mara nodded.Gray closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, his expression had settled into something controlled."You did the right thing telling me," he said.Mara exhaled out of relief, barely visible. "I was worried you'd be angry that I waited.""I am," Gray said simply. "A little.
Chapter 314: I Hope So
The park was a short walk from the cafe. Though it wasn't large, the site of people made it look alive. Families on benches, children moving between the playground equipment and patches of open grass. Trees spread shade over most of it. The kind of place that felt like it had been loved for a long time.Eli saw the swings before anything else."Can I ride those?" he asked."Go ahead," Gray said.Lily had already handed her bag to Gray and was running."Come on, Eli!"Eli blinked after her, then looked at Gray. Gray just smiled. Eli ran.Gray and Mara took a bench. They sat without talking and watched.Eli reached the swings first and sat down stiffly, both hands gripping the chains high and tight. He didn't push off. He just sat there while the kids around him moved and yelled and completely ignored him.Lily dropped onto the swing beside him."You don't have to be nervous," she said. "It's just a swing. You'll have fun."She pushed off with both feet. The swing lifted. She laughed.E
Chapter 313: Let's Go
"Sir Gray... are we really allowed to go out today?"Eli's voice was barely above a whisper. He'd stopped walking and was looking up at Gray with one hand still lightly gripping the hem of his shirt.Gray stopped and crouched to get closer to his level."Yes, Eli," he said. "Everything was had been approved. Mara handled it. You don't have to worry about anything."Eli's fingers stayed on his shirt. "They really won't be angry?""No one will be angry," Gray said. "You're just going out for the day. We'll have you back before dinner."Eli glanced at Mara, who had been standing a few steps back giving them space. She offered him a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. Gray caught the slight stiffness behind it."We're with you the whole time," Mara said softly. "You're okay."Eli considered this for a moment. Then he nodded, and something in his posture came down a notch.Gray straightened and kept walking, Eli falling into step beside him.At the car, Gray opened the door and w
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