Veil of Vows

Ch.18

(Next morning)

It was the next day, and I was already up early, packing the smaller items Grayson had ordered me to gather for the move. Everything was happening so quickly, but it had to be done. Our departure was in motion; Grayson was nearby in the next room, making calls to arrange for the moving trucks to come by.

I eavesdropped on some of his conversation, overhearing how he was being very professional and straight to the point about when the moving trucks should come to take the rest of our belongings from the house.

He knew that in a small town like this, any large moving operation would draw attention and rumors. So he decided on a careful plan: he would schedule the trucks for a time after we'd already left, allowing us to quietly settle in the Alps without the neighbors knowing exactly where we were going. The idea was to leave with just enough to get by initially while the larger items would follow a few days later.

After the call ended, Grayson walked out of the room with a pleased expression, as if everything was going well so far and the move was being finalized as planned. He walked over to me, starting a small conversation before helping me with some of the furniture.

For now, we were just preparing, cleaning around, moving things, and deciding what we should leave behind.

After what felt like hours, we finally had almost everything packed, with items perfectly covered and ready for the moving trucks to easily pick up when the day comes. "Ugh... I hope I never have to do that again. That was so hard," I said, slumping down on the couch, feeling utterly exhausted as I wiped the sweat from my forehead.

Grayson was nearby, relieved as I was, letting out a soft sigh. "Mmph... I'm glad it's over. That was a lot to do," he said, glancing out the window at the sun shining brighter than ever.

He hadn't been outside since the cops showed up last night, and he wondered what was going on in the small town now. What was being said? What was being done?

He knew he'd have to go out soon to get a sense of things, and he felt grateful that this move was happening quietly, away from everyone, especially away from Chloe.

With a soft sigh, he looked back at me, his eyes softening slightly as he took in the sight of me lying on the couch, drained from the day's tasks.

"Sierra, I'm going to go out for a bit. Do you need anything, dear?" he asked, his gaze steady on mine as he waited for my response.

I opened my eyes to meet his. "Hmm... I don't think I want anything right now," I replied.

He nodded slightly. "Alright, I'll just be heading out. I want to see what's going on and if there's any news on the Elliott situation. I'll check if they've found anything," he said.

"Okay, well... be safe?" I replied.

Grayson gave me a slight nod, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Of course, I'll be okay. Don't forget, Sierra, my dear don't go out. I don't want anything bad happening to you again. I don't know how I'd handle it a second time," he said, the memory of that night Chloe attacked me still fresh in his mind, a constant reminder to stay alert.

"Huff... yeah, whatever," I said, feeling a bit annoyed that he got to go outside while I was trapped here. Even though I understood his intentions and it was very clear that this small town could be cruel toward me because of Chloe's rumors and so on.

but it still stung.

I felt like my own independence was slipping away from me, that fire I once had simply gone, as I started to obey Grayson so willingly now—a part of me hated it so much.