Chapter 2 Inked

It was news to Talon that the Remington family, although wealthy and of high standards, had recently dipped themselves in a pothole full of muddy water. In summary, an uncalculated investment had plunged them into jeopardy.

Their funds were at the lowest it had ever been in decades and that was why Talon's marital offer was welcomed with open arms by the Remington's.

Mr Alfred's hands slightly shook, if Talon had already found out about it then it meant that little by little the news could leak and it wouldn't take long before a blazing headline carrying the near bankruptcy of the Remington family would be splashed all over news channels. He needed to salvage the situation.

"Scarlet....," he said turning to his golden child "I think you should let your sister sign"

"Dad!" Scarlet shouted, her fists..balled.

Mrs Dolores shook her head and moved towards her daughter's side, holding Scarlet's arm in order to calm her down.

"Mr Ashwood, you are making a mistake choosing my other daughter"

That statement made Halo wince and although she was already used to being kept out of the spotlight. This one stung, and Talon saw it. And so, he decided to fuel the fire. Something that could stoke the heat, something that would make Halo sign without question.

He chuckled, "And pray tell Mrs Remington, why is choosing her above Scarlet a mistake?"

Dolores gulped as her gaze met Halo's saddened eyes, a twinge of guilt flickered across her face but....but she had to explain this properly. Scarlet was the better choice for all of them.

"Apart from the fact that my daughter Scarlet has wanted you for years Mr Ashwood, it is quite obvious that she will be a great addition to you. She knows the reins of business, she is graceful and beautiful, she is strategic and she is a public figure with a high level of recognition. Marrying Scarlet benefits not just us, but you too"

That proud smirk returned to Scarlet's face, her blue eyes shining with victory.

"Yes Mr Ashwood, having me as your wife would be indeed a feat"

Talon smiled, a knowing, brief smile that fizzled out just as quickly as it showed. He turned to the dark haired girl, her chest heaving and her eyes glossed over. Not with tears, but disappointment, very bold disappointment.

He placed his palm on her shoulder, feeling her freeze under his touch. Her wide eyes looked up at him with uncertainty and her wet lips slightly quivered.

"I am curious about something. For what reason exactly would your family shield you away from the public eye this long and so well in such a way that not even I, realized that the Remington's had another daughter"

She remained quiet, fiddling with her fingers and glancing behind him to see the expressions on her family's faces.

"Speak. Keeping silent won't benefit any of us"

She pressed her lips together thinking of what to say, but her mind kept going to the obvious reason. The reason that kept echoing in her head each time she saw her sister shining in front of screens and important people. While she sat there, in the empty corner of her room.

"Because......because I'm not like Scarlet"

"Mmn....because you aren't shiny, outspoken, popular or beneficial to the family like she is?"

Halo nodded, keeping her head down. His gloved fingers glided under her chin and lifted it up, keeping her gaze locked on his enticing forest green eyes.

"Tell me, have they ever made an effort to integrate you into the family, into the limelight too or......or did they just get comfortable keeping you in the dark?" He bent forward keeping his nose just an inch away from the tips of hers and he whispered for her ears alone. "Marry me Halo, and it will be written in bold ink with the court and heavens as our witness that I will give you everything you desire. The limelight, the freedom, the recognition. And I promise you that you will be seen, noticed and respected"

It sounded like a witch's spell. Simple, sharp, inescapable. And for the first time in her life, Halo wasn't giving a shit. She threw a glance over his shoulder catching the furious nodding of her mother begging her to decline for Scarlet's sake. But screw Scarlet, this was her life, and this was her choice to make.

"I'll sign it"

A gasp was heard and an angry Scarlet stomped over to them. Talon stood in front of Halo, silently forbidding Scarlet from coming close.

"Halo you can't do this to me, I am your sister!" The doe eyed girl flinched and grabbed onto the contract tightly. Using Talon's body to shield her from her sister's rage.

"Mother?," She turned to Mrs Dolores who stood there beckoning helplessly at her husband Alfred who could do nothing but watch the scene unfold. Scarlet with watery eyes looked back at Halo who was hurriedly going through the contract.

The little misfit, maybe this had been her plan all along. If she didn't forget to remove her portrait from the wall then Scarlet would've been the one signing the marriage contract with Talon as planned, preparing to get married into a multi- billion dollar family like she had always wanted.

"Scarlet don't get angry, please" Halo pleaded even if she didn't need to. "I'd be doing all of us a favour. He doesn't want to get married to you and he chose......he chose me"

Talon hummed and took the now-signed contract from Halo with a satisfied expression on his face. He turned towards Mr Alfred and Dolores.

"She is right. At first I had actually wanted to get married to Scarlett. But then, after seeing the portrait on the wall I decided that she was who I wanted."

He reached backwards and wrapped his gloved hand around Halo's wrist. Pulling her along in a manner that an owner would do to his newly acquired pet.