IrisI didn’t think I would feel this way, but after deciding to move Miles to Ordan with me, I suddenly feel a new sense of cheer wash over me. Maybe I’m going back to a city filled with old memories, but the promise of new opportunities, a new life, is enough to soften some of the bad things.Righ
Arthur & IrisOnce I learned that Iris actually agreed to the patronage, I decided to go to the gallery to tell her that it was my gift as an apology for everything that Selina and her brother did.I never intended to keep her in the dark for the entire year; I just didn’t want her to know that I wa
IrisThe moment I see Arthur standing over me, my entire body freezes up.As a human, I don’t have the werewolf instincts that innately make my body react to an Alpha’s presence, but it doesn’t matter. The cold authority in Arthur’s gaze is enough to make me stiffen, my mind, body, and heart all war
Questions that I’m not ready to answer. And maybe I never will be.To my surprise, Arthur has a kids’ car seat in the back of his car. It still has a tag on it.“You just bought this?” I ask, glancing up at him as Miles climbs in.Arthur simply shrugs, his gaze betraying nothing. I can’t help but wo
IrisThankfully, our first night in Ordan, Miles was too excited to see the twins and Brian and Liam to ask about Arthur. That doesn’t mean that Brian and Liam didn’t ask, though.“Girl, is he following you?” Liam asked last night over much-needed glasses of wine. “It seems like everywhere you are l
The innocence in his voice sends a lance of regret through me. I want to tell him the truth—I really do. We’ve always been honest with each other, and having to lie to him over the phone that one time still bothers me.And yet… Even as I open my mouth to tell him that, yes, Arthur is his father, I j
IrisArthur’s office is the last place I’d like to be this morning. I’d much rather be spending my morning with Miles, or perhaps working on the new painting that came to mind late last night—an abstraction of waffles and strawberries bleeding thick, red blood.But instead, I’m here, walking through
I can’t hold back my indignant snort as I fold my arms across my chest. “You don’t say.”Arthur doesn’t react to my quip, although I can see his eyes flash with annoyance. “I want to perform an official paternity test to determine for certain that Miles is my son,” he goes on. “If it is determined t
My blood runs cold. “Are you saying this wasn’t an accident?”Ezra’s expression hardens. “I’m saying it’s suspicious. Especially given the timing… with the custody battle just starting.”A murderous rage begins to build up inside of me. “Find out who did this,” I order, my voice dropping to a danger
Arthur & IrisArthurI check my watch for the third time in as many minutes as I sit in the conference room. The meeting was supposed to begin nearly twenty minutes ago, and Iris still isn’t here. Even her lawyer arrived before she did.Maybe she’s decided against this, a tiny voice in the back of m
“Iris! Iris, wait!”I don’t respond. I don’t look back. I don’t even look at his fading form in the rearview mirror.…The drive to our new apartment later that afternoon is silent. Miles sits in the backseat, his face pressed against the window. He hasn’t spoken to me in days—not since I told him w
IrisI can’t believe I’m doing this.Suing Arthur for custody feels wrong. Cruel, even—not just to him, but to myself and Miles as well. Each day since I took the lawyer’s offer, I feel as if I’ve made a grave mistake.And yet, at the same time, it feels like the only solution. The only way out from
Each accusation lands like a punch to the gut because they contain just enough truth to be damning. I look to Iris again, desperate for her to understand.“Iris, we can work this out. We don’t need lawyers. We can talk about this, just the two of us.”She shakes her head slightly. “There’s nothing t
ArthurThe email arrives while I’m getting ready for work.It’s from a law firm. Subject line: “Urgent Legal Matter: Your Presence Required.”My first thought is Selina. Perhaps she’s trying to sue me for breach of contract or public humiliation after I ended our engagement at the exhibition, not th
Is staying here, continuing this toxic dance with Arthur, really what’s best for Miles? Or am I just afraid of hurting him in the short term, even if leaving would be better for him in the long run?Biting my lip, I pull out my phone and send a text to Alice: “Can you come with me to look at an apar
IrisI’m staring at my phone in disbelief, reading the email for the third time to make sure I’m not hallucinating.“We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the Abbott Gallery residency. Your work demonstrated exceptional promise and artistic vision…”My fingers tremble as I scr
“As if it wasn’t bad enough that you thought I was a gold digger,” I say, shaking my head. “Did you think that from the beginning? When we were first dating, did you think I was just with you for your money?”Arthur’s silence is damning.“Answer me!” I demand, my voice rising.“I… thought you were h