A contract for two: An Ashwood's bride

Addressing the press, taking her stance

Halo held the journalist's gaze, her expression unwavering. "What he wanted, he went for. It's as simple as that."

A murmur rippled through the room, but she didn't falter. "I don’t find it amusing or acceptable that the press continues to refer to me as 'the lesser twin.' I am just as capable as my sister, if not more. My value isn't determined by how well I fit into a narrative that favors familiarity over individuality."

She leaned back slightly, her tone firm. "Talon chose me because he saw what he wanted, and I accepted because I saw an opportunity to build something great. This marriage wasn't about settling or second choices, it was a decision made by two people who knew what they wanted. And I-I won't entertain any more questions that attempt to undermine me or my marriage with my husband"

She tilted her head slightly, offering a cool smile. "We're married. We're happy. That's the end of the story."

Talon's smirk deepened, his fingers tapping against the armrest. f**k, her response thrilling.

Halo inhaled sharply, feeling her chest get lighter with every word.

"I know that you all want to ask this question in order to get a reaction out of me. Something you can use to make another headline."

The room fell into silence. Even Talon, who hadn't expected her to say more, found himself leaning forward, intrigued.

Halo exhaled, shaking her head. "And honestly.... I don’t blame you. My family kept me in the dark for years, behind my sister's shadow, and I let them. But I am sick and tired of being treated like I don't exist, like I'm some extension of her instead of a person in my own right."

She lifted her chin, her doe-eyes blazing. "So I'll say this once, and only once. I am not my sister's shadow. I was Halo Remington and now, I am Halo Ashwood, the wife of this man right here. Furthermore, any questions about why he chose me or about my childhood or why my family kept me in the dark should be abolished, immediately."

A tense beat passed. Then Talon let out a low chuckle, eyes glinting with something close to admiration.

He chose a wide, and fortunately, he chose well. Just like he thought.

"Well," he said, his voice carrying through the room, "I think that settles it."

Halo noticed some of the journalists lowering their pens and shutting their notepads. It was obvious that most of their questions had been centered around the things she had mentioned for them to avoid asking her. She was relieved that they understood that she had no intention of such questions.

The moderator glanced around before speaking. "Any further questions?"

A few reporters mumbled among themselves. Some sighed, clearly frustrated. Others switched to mundane questions, about whether they planned to have a modern wedding, their honeymoon plans, and other trivial details.

Talon leaned back, his expression unreadable. He had never cared much for church weddings, but if Halo wanted a modern church ceremony, he wouldn't oppose it.

Halo, however, shook her head. "No," she said simply. "The court wedding we already had is enough"

And very soon, Talon thought internally. His father would give him their ancestral ring as a sign of approval to his marriage and then, Halo would wear it on her dainty finger.

"You don't want a church wedding?" one of the journalists pressed.

Halo's gaze was steady. "Not quite, but if there is a need for that. We'll see to it. But in my opinion, we are already lawfully married and that is what counts to me"

A nod from the journalist and then, a flap of her notepad. A smile spreaded on her face as she looked towards Talon. Hesitation laced between her lips.

"Many of us are curious, this is indeed a loveless marriage, yes?"

The stiffness from the way the journalist spoke proved that she was trying to make her question come off as mild and genuine as possible.

No one wanted an annoyed Talon.

Talon exhaled, tapping his fingers against the armrest before speaking.

"Most people are aware that before I married, I conducted an interview for potential brides before going to the Remington home and choosing Halo"

His tone was quite matter-of-fact, unwavering. "It's very clear that I wanted to get married quickly, and no, I didn’t marry out of love."

Halo's cleared her throat uncomfortable, was this good admitting this to the crowd?.

But Talon continued.

"However, there are prospects of love after marriage. What matters is that my beautiful wife is sitting right beside me.” His arm draped around her shoulder in an effortless display of possession.

The room was silent, taken by his directness.

Halo, however, was caught off guard for a different reason. Talon's words mirrored her own reasoning, but while he had sought marriage for convenience, she had sought it for something much more. Something that he promised.

Freedom.

She maintained her poised expression, offering a small smile to the press.

Talon's grip subtly tightened, as if sensing the weight of her thoughts.

Another journalist leaned forward, adjusting his microphone. "Mrs. Ashwood, how would you describe your husband?"

Halo blinked, caught slightly off guard by the sudden shift in attention. She hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Oh, Talon?" She hummed, tapping a manicured finger against her chin. "Well, he is....."

"Amazing?" Talon cut in smoothly, arching a brow as he turned toward her.

She scoffed. "That's not what I was going to say."

"But you were thinking it," he countered.

Halo rolled her eyes. "You wish."

The members' press and the journalist's present chuckled, the energy in the room lightening. Talon leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough for the microphones to still catch on. "Go on, wife. I'm dying to hear this."

Halo smirked, deciding to play along. "Alright. Talon Ashwood is…..insufferably arrogant, impossibly stubborn, very teasy in an irritating way and so full of himself. it's a miracle there's space left in the world for the rest of us."

A gasp rippled through the room, they had never heard anyone talk about Talon like that.

The man placed a hand over his chest, feigning deep offense. "You wound me."

"Do I?" she teased, tilting her head.

Talon exhaled dramatically before reaching out and ruffling her hair, completely ignoring the way she gasped and swatted at his hand. "Talon!" she yelped, trying to smooth her hair down.

"You had it coming," he simply responded.

Narrowing her eyes, she reached out and grabbed his face, squishing his cheeks between her fingers. "And you deserve this," she declared, stretching his skin just slightly before releasing him.

Talon pulled back, mock-glaring at her while adjusting his jaw. "You are very lucky that you are my wife"

"And you are lucky that I am," she shot back, crossing her arms.

Their banter continued, light and playful, both of them so caught up in the moment that they momentarily forgot they were in a room full of journalists. It was only when a few of them cleared their throats and cameras clicked again that they both straightened, realizing just how much they had let loose.

Halo's cheeks reddened slightly, but she quickly composed herself, smoothing her dress as she sat up straighter. Talon cleared his throat, adjusting his cuffs before leaning back in his chair.

"Apologies," he said smoothly, though the amused glint in his eyes showed he wasn’t sorry at all.

One of the journalists smiled. "It seems like the chemistry is already brewing between the two of you."

Halo narrowed her eyes. Talon was not her type despite being her husband, maybe in his looks yes, but she preferred softer and less complex men.

Talon casually shrugged. "Does it?"

The journalist chuckled, but Talon's gaze suddenly flickered to the back of the room. His smirk faltered, replaced by something more guarded.

There, slipping out the door, was a figure he knew all too well.