Chapter 246
It took me a minute to understand what she was saying. I was somewhat annoyed that she was offering to give me anything. These had all been mine to begin with, but Dad had indeed left everything to Logan in his will, including all items in the house, She probably felt she was doing a good thing, doing the right thing by offering things to me. But the problem was, she had picked through things she wanted before I had even seen them.
Xena, we can walk through the house together and decide together what you want to keep and what we’ll keep. Penelope only took out things like your baby blankets. Things you might want to give to your own children someday, things Mom picked out for you.” Logan must have read the expression on my face.
Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to push down my emotions and keep my face expressionless. “Okay.”
I couldn’t even remember having baby blankets. Over the
years, I thought those memories had been washed away by time. But hearing Logan say this now, a sourness rose in my heart for no reason. I didn’t know if I was ready to face those items, those objects that carried my mother’s love.
“Like my father, I’ll work directly with you,” Logan said, looking at Ryder.
“Understood. I’ll handle things on my end. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to protect my pack, Ryder replied firmly.
I could see Logan read the subtext after glancing at me. “If you need anything, tell me,” Logan said as he stood up.
Following his movement, I took one last look around Dad’s office. Logan would probably change some things, but this would be the last time I’d see it as it was now. Ryder took the vanilla envelope from my hands and stood beside me.
“Do you need anything before we go to the house?” Penelope asked somewhat timidly.
“No… thank you,” I said as I grabbed the door handle and gently closed the door. Ryder wasn’t holding my back as we walked, so I reached out and grabbed his arm as we went down the stairs. People moved around, doing their work. Watching these people continue their daily lives, I suddenly realized the world wouldn’t stop turning because of my pain. They had their own responsibilities, their own lives. But somehow, seeing life continue so peacefully made me feel a strange sense of isolation.
“We need to drive there. If you want to follow us, that would be great,” Logan said to Ryder.
“Of course,” Ryder nodded. He guided me toward our car and opened the door for
- me.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, he placed the envelope on the dashboard, then started the car. He didn’t ask me any questions or even try to make me talk. Instead, he started the car and followed Logan. He placed his hand on my thigh as I watched the pack house gradually disappear from view.
His hand was warm and steady. This simple gesture was worth more than a thousand words. He knew I didn’t want to talk right now, didn’t need comforting words, just needed to know he was here. Sometimes Ryder understood me better than I thought.
We drove through the small town that had been developing until we reached the suburbs. I clearly remembered how dense the brush in this area had been when I was little, but now it had been cleared. When Logan turned into a small driveway, it was partially hidden. Ryder drove slowly as we admired the stunning scenery around us. Dense, lush trees untouched by humans filled the entire space until the space opened up and a beautiful two–story house appeared before us.
The paint was peeling, but the structure looked solid. Wooden shutters flanked each window, some hanging slightly askew, giving the house a weathered but dignified appearance.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, my first words since leaving the cemetery.
Ryder squeezed my thigh gently. “It is.”
