Veil of Vows

Ch.17

Chloe's father sat back down, but the anger in his eyes didn't fade. I could feel it burning into my back as I left the church. Grayson walked beside me, his hand holding mine protectively.

Once we were outside, I let out a long breath, my nerves frazzled. "That man hates me," I said quietly, more to myself than to Grayson.

"I know," Grayson replied, his voice calm but firm. "Just ignore it. They aren't going to matter when we leave anyway."

I nodded, but the pit in my stomach didn't disappear. Chloe's family might not come after us for now, but something about Chloe's gaze didn't sit right with me. She almost looked calm, but at the same time annoyed—something I couldn't really explain. Whatever was going through her mind, she looked determined about something.

As Grayson and I walked, I glanced back at the church, thinking about Eleanor and Harold and Elliott's parents who were still sitting there.

It was mind boggling. I still couldn't understand how someone could just disappear like that. Did Elliott really have some intention of leaving his parents, this town? No, that doesn't make sense. He didn't seem the type to just leave, or at least not leave his cat behind like that, injured.

Something wasn't right. It almost felt like a murder, or at least that's what I was assuming. I turned to look at Grayson as a thought crossed my mind. "Grayson... do you think the police are going to get involved soon? Elliott's been missing for days now. I assume they're going to step in very soon," I said, sounding curious and concerned about the situation. "Maybe I'm overthinking it, but this almost feels like a murder, like someone killed him or something."

Grayson kept a neutral expression, even though deep down his insides were twisting and turning as he quickly thought of a way to respond to my question. "I do believe the police will be involved soon, you're right. Elliott's been gone too long. A police report sounds logical. Who knows what may have really happened," he said, sounding firm and honest.

I nodded again, considering his words as we kept walking toward our house. I couldn't help but wonder what might unfold in the next few days and what kind of events were about to go down.

As we finally made our way back home, I reached to open the front door, turning the key as I stepped inside. The warmth of the house washed over me just a little. I turned back to look at Grayson. He was at the mailbox, rummaging through the letters that had been delivered today.

My hand rested on the doorknob as I watched him rummage through the stack with an odd intensity. His face gave nothing away, but I could feel it, he was looking for something, something important.

Then he finally pauses, looking at one envelope. I catch the smallest flicker in his expression, a hint of calm satisfaction.

I was confused, but I decided to just take off my shoes and settle into the house.

Grayson then walks in the house and closes the door behind him with a soft thud, still clutching the letter like it's the answer to something bigger than just bills. I sit back down on the couch, letting out a soft sigh, closing my eyes as the cushions embrace me with warmth.

Grayson sits down next to me and finally speaks, his tone calm but carrying weight beneath it. "We're leaving in three days."

I paused, turning to face him. "What?"

He unfolds the letter, holding it up. "The move. It's approved. We'll be in the Swiss Alps in three days. We need to get everything ready." His voice is firm, but there's something beneath the surface... something eager.

I blink, processing the words. Three days? Just like that? I'm not shocked, but still, it's hard to wrap my head around how quickly it's all happening. "Three days?" I say, a little surprised. "That's... so soon."