Married Before Midnight by Sienna Quinn - Chapter 22

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Married Before Midnight


Chapter 22: The Weight of Grief and the Fight Ahead


The morning after Henry Carter’s funeral, the house felt hollow. The scent of freshly baked bread from Sweet Beginnings lingered in the air, a bittersweet reminder of the life they had built together—one that Henry would never see flourish further. Eleanor stood at the kitchen counter, kneading dough with a quiet intensity, her fingers pressing into the flour-dusted surface as if she could push her grief into something tangible.


Olivia watched her mother from the doorway, her chest tight. At thirteen, she was too young to carry the weight of responsibility, but the absence of her father had forced it upon her. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Eleanor’s waist from behind. "We’ll be okay, Mom," Olivia whispered, her voice steadier than she felt. Eleanor paused, her hands stilling. A tear slipped down her cheek, disappearing into the flour. "I know, sweetheart. We have to be." In the living room, Hannah sat cross-legged on the floor, her sharp mind already dissecting their next move. At eleven, she had always been the strategist, the one who saw problems before they arose. Now, she scribbled notes in a small notebook, her brow furrowed. "We can’t rely on The Oak & Ivy anymore," she muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. Charlotte, ever the firecracker at nine years old, flopped onto the couch beside her. "So? We don’t need them. We’ve got plenty of customers." "It’s not just about the customers," Hannah countered. "It’s about stability. A big contract means security."


Lucas, now seventeen and the unofficial protector of the family, leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. His dark eyes flicked between them. "There’s a new hotel opening downtown. High-end. They’ll need a pastry supplier." Hannah’s gaze snapped up, a spark of determination lighting her features. "That’s our next target."


The twins, Lillian and Emily, huddled together on the rug, their small faces still puffy from crying. At seven, grief was a confusing, overwhelming thing. But even they understood one truth: their family had to keep going.


The next few days were a blur of flour, sugar, and exhaustion. Sweet Beginnings remained busy, the loyal customer base keeping them afloat. But the absence of The Oak & Ivy’s contract loomed large, a gap they needed to fill. Eleanor threw herself into baking, her hands moving with practiced precision. The kitchen was her sanctuary, the one place where she could quiet the storm inside her. Olivia and Hannah worked alongside her, while Charlotte handled the front counter with surprising charm for a child. Lucas managed deliveries, his quiet strength a steadying force. But beneath the surface, tension simmered. Hannah had noticed it first—the missing orders, the misplaced invoices, the sudden dip in quality that couldn’t be explained by grief alone. Someone was sabotaging them.


One evening, after the bakery had closed, the family gathered around the kitchen table. The twins were already asleep, their soft snores drifting from the next room. "We have a problem," Hannah announced, spreading out a series of notes. "Someone’s working against us." Olivia frowned. "Who would do that?" Lucas’s jaw tightened. "Someone who doesn’t want us to succeed." Eleanor’s hands trembled as she set down her cup of tea. "We can’t afford distractions. Not now." Hannah tapped her pencil against the table. "We need to find out who it is. And stop them." Charlotte leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "So, what’s the plan?" Hannah exchanged a glance with Lucas, then Olivia. A silent understanding passed between them. "We set a trap," Hannah said simply. The details were hushed, the plan carefully constructed.


They wouldn’t reveal it yet—not even to Eleanor. Not until they were sure. Because if there was one thing the Carter family had learned, it was that trust was fragile. And right now, they couldn’t afford to trust anyone outside their circle. --- The chapter ended with the family united in purpose, grief still heavy in their hearts but determination burning brighter. The new hotel contract was their goal, but first, they had to root out the enemy within. And Hannah’s plan? That remained a secret—for now.