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Author: Kiara Nicole
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-09 02:04:45

Iris

The morning was still and quiet, the kind of peace that wrapped around you like a warm blanket. Orchard lay beside me, his broad shoulders rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His face was so calm and relaxed. Even in sleep, I was so assured he had my back.

I moved as quietly as I could, slipping out from under the covers and letting my feet touch the cool wooden floor. A soft chill ran up my spine, but I didn’t mind it. The house had this way of reminding me where I was, of how different life had become since moving in with Orchard and being his wife.

Reaching for my robe, I pulled it on, the silk gliding against my skin. I tied the sash loosely around my waist and walked over to the window, drawn by the faint sounds of life stirring outside. Pulling the curtain back just enough, I peered down at the street below.

It was alive in that gentle, understated way mornings often are. A couple jogged by, their matching neon shoes flashing as they moved in sync. A man walked his dog,
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Latest chapter

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  • Let Me Go, Ex Husband!   61

    Orchard’s POV The evening air was cool as I climbed the steps to the rooftop. My body felt heavy, like each movement required more effort than it should. The door creaked as I pushed it open, revealing the quiet sanctuary that had always been my retreat. The rooftop wasn’t much to look at, it was a simple flat space bordered by a rusty railing. A few old chairs sat scattered around, one missing a leg, the other barely standing. The city stretched out in front of me, endless and alive. I stepped toward the edge, my boots scuffing against the uneven surface, and sank to the ground with my back against the railing. Reaching into my jacket pocket, I pulled out a half-empty bottle of whiskey. It clinked softly against the metal railing as I set it down beside me, and for a moment, I just stared at it. My fingers tightened around the glass. I unscrewed the cap and raised the bottle to my lips, the first sip burning as it slid down my throat. The whiskey was old and sharp, but it did the

  • Let Me Go, Ex Husband!   60

    Iris Pov “Mum,” I had muttered, almost to myself. Halle, who had been standing beside me, glanced over. “Huh?” I froze for a moment, then quickly shook my head. “Sorry,” I said, forcing a smile. “I meant my step mum.” I said to her. Leaving the part where she magically appeared in the same store we were. I mean, not that it was surprising, with an event like that coming up, she would certainly want to make an impression. I just didn’t want to bump into my step mum while I was out shopping with my mother-in-law whom she was yet to know about. “Iris, are you alright?” Halle asked, pulling me away from my thoughts. It was then I realized I had zoned out. “Yea, uhmm… yes.” I replied. “You know, when I said step mum, I meant she’s here.” “Oh.” Understanding dawned in her eyes, and she tilted her head slightly. “Tiffany’s mum?” I nodded, feeling my cheeks flush. I couldn’t exactly tell her I didn’t want Karen to know she was my mother-in-law yet, and despite how much of a bitch she

  • Let Me Go, Ex Husband!   59

    Orchard’s PovI was gripping the steering wheel too tightly, my knuckles white as I sped toward Richard’s house. I could barely think straight. The thought of my mother lying in a hospital bed, alone, while my father did God-knows-what with his mistress… it boiled my blood. The man had crossed too many lines, but this time, he’d gone too far.When I pulled into Richard’s driveway, I saw his car parked neatly in front, alongside his wife’s little hatchback. Their home was as warm and welcoming as always—a small, brick house with ivy climbing up one side and flower beds blooming brightly. It was the kind of place that made you forget your troubles, at least for a little while.I rang the doorbell, and a few moments later, Richard’s wife, Clara, answered the door. She was in her usual comfy clothes, a simple sweater and leggings, with a kitchen towel slung over her shoulder. Her face lit up when she saw me.“Orchard!” she said, pulling me into a hug. “It’s been too long.”Before I could

  • Let Me Go, Ex Husband!   58

    Tiffany. One would have thought that with everything my mum and I, experienced over the years, she’d be better at handling things. But it was the exact opposite.“Your father is angry,” she said. “I’m sure you could tell. It was quite tense in the car. You managed to pull your father from the comfort of his office, from the comfort of his personal space, and you took him to that place only for him to get disgraced. That is not what I taught you to do.” “Mom,” I cut her off, shaking my head and interrupting her. “With all due respect, it was in regards to Father,” I said, emphasizing the word. “He hardly did teach me much—more like some things wrong and some things about—but you’re blaming this on me? That I somehow knew that she had an allergy? That’s just wrong.” I jutted my chin out and took a step backward away from her. “If you’re not going to tell me any other thing, then that’s fine. If that’s all you wish to say, then that’s also fine. I’m going to get back to work,” I s

  • Let Me Go, Ex Husband!   57

    Iris Sooner, rather than later, I was in the office, yawning again. Luckily, this time, I had a cup of coffee in my hand as I strolled toward Halle’s office. The news was that she was fine overnight and the doctor had deemed her fit to be discharged. Of course, when Orchard found out about this in the car that morning, he didn’t take too kindly to it. "Keep an eye on her," he'd told me before I stepped out of the car. By the time I opened her office door, I found her bent over her desk, her hands moving quickly over the notepad in front of her. Finally, she looked up as I took about five steps into the room. I held up the second coffee. "I don’t even care what flavor that is—it's coffee. Give it here," she said, reaching for it. By the time she collected the cup, she had downed what I guessed was half of it in one go. "Ice cold Americano. Beautiful," she said, setting the cup down. "Sit," she added, pointing at one of the chairs opposite her desk. "I wanted to run this

  • Let Me Go, Ex Husband!   56

    Iris Victory tasted sweet. Of course, it wasn't 100% sweet given the fact that I had to accompany my mother-in-law to the hospital, get her checked in, and practically stay by her bed for most of the night until Orchard showed up, looking grumbly yet relaxed in grey sweatpants and a grey hoodie halfway pulled across his head. In his hands, he bore gifts of snacks, chocolate, and the likes—of course, all things Mom on his end was supposed to stay away from. But knowing Halle, I had a feeling those were the exact things she would want. And Orchard, well, be really knew his mum well, if anything the meeting proved, it was that.Despite how much Halle complained or glared, he simply stuck out his tongue at her and grabbed me by the arm, leading me to one of the private lounges in the VIP hospital wing. Without warning, he pulled up my feet, placing them on his lap, turned toward me with a goofy smile, and then pulled off my shoes. “What are you doing?” I reached for my feet with wi

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