Contract With Alpha Logan

Chapter 119

Eighteen years later.

Astrid POV

“I am so sorry, Astrid,” said police officer Hana Montrey as she sat in front of me with concern in her eyes. “I really want to say something, but I have no words for your loss…”

I stared at the blank space in front of me because I had no words for my loss or my situation. If G d existed, then he was just being cruel to me. Wrapped in a blanket on this chilly October evening, I sat on the chair where mom used to sit, knitting a crochet shawl. This was her stress buster activity. Dad would come home and immediately shower kisses on her. But now-they are gone. Just like that. In a stup id accident.

“Their car skidded down a deep valley after the tire exploded,” the officer explained. “It was misfortunate… maybe you should… aunt and uncle… you’re seventeen…”

I blocked her words after that, because suddenly, I had this urge to cry. So a cry escaped my lips, Or was it a scream? And then I sobbed. Wailed.

State sent me a caretaker for the night to observe my condition. I was curled up in my bed over the photos of my mom and dad, under the crochet shawl she had knitted a month back. I didn’t know where my life would take me after this, but right now, all I wanted was to stay quiet and cry for as long as ! could.

The police called me to the hospital to identify their bodies and once again I broke down. Most of their bodies were charred because of the explosion that followed, after the car tumbled down.

The funeral took place two days later and by that time I had finished all my tears. Watching them go under the earth was distress i n g Y*h, God was cruel.

During the funeral repast that was mostly done with the help of my friend D**y and her parents, Hana said, “Your aunt and uncle have conteste d for your custody. I took the liberty of calling them and informing them of your situation.”

My aunt and uncle. Bree and Fred Lou. Fred was my mom’s younger brother. His home was in the quiet town of Cedar, situated beneath a vibrant green hill in Oregon. He had barely visited my mom and dad.

Hana exhaled softly, saying, “Fred requested I bring you to him.”

who I had met when I was only five? Besides, what about my school? I was three months away from my graduation and only a month away from my eighteenth

hand on my forearm. “Astrid, you don’t have an option, love. If you choose not to go, you will be placed in foster care because of your age. So it’s either the foster care or your uncle

blinking away my tears. “This house?” I asked, my voice choked

will be locked. No one can touch it. Even your stepbrother, Xander. Your parents

boyfriend. After she had died, my stepbrother returned and demanded his share of the property, which was ridiculous. He was twenty-five and, unfortunately, addicted to drugs. But that didn’t deter him

with your aunt and uncle. As soon as you touch eighteen, you can

me tightly. I needed that hug. I wanted someone to be with me all the time. My parents death had left me

around. That b**d had come on the day of the

Chapter 119

be afraid of him!”

a l**c. Just go away for a few days. Once the situation settles, I’ll call

my body shook. This was getting only worse and worse. I was all alone and vulnerable with a l**c stepbrother roaming

streets.

could ask you to move into

know…” I mumbled. “You’ve already done so

“I expect you to do more for

it was the first

my seatbelt. Though I could’ve taken a flight to Portland, I decided to drive my Beetle, one that dad had bought for me last summer when I got my driving license. “Keep your

my

up and

tightly before I started. It was going to take a neat seven hours to reach Cedar town. Two hours later, I stopped at a gas station for a small break before resuming my journey. I hadn’t met my aunt and uncle in long, so the feeling of awkwardness

I stuck my hand out the open window and let the cool evening air rush over my skin. The smell of winter and oaks, aspens and cedars wafted into

“Hi!” I chirped.

I mean, their football team is first in state,” she