Chapter 3: The Classroom Encounter

Iris's POV

"Iris, please just stay in bed today," Chloe pleaded, leaning her shoulder against the kitchen doorway as I pulled my blonde hair back into a neat, professional tie. "Look at your face. You're pale, your hands are still shaking, and you almost got run over in the middle of a storm last night. You don't need to push yourself to go to work today."

"The rent won’t pay itself, Chloe," I said quietly, keeping my back to her for a second while I smoothed down the front of my light sweater. I turned around and offered her a faint, reassuring smile. "If I take even a single day off, the school deducts it straight from my small check. I can't afford to lose a dime right now."

"Let me help you." Chloe stepped into the small kitchen, her brown eyes full of genuine worry. She reached out, placing a warm hand on my arm. "I can lend you some money for this month's rent. You don't have to carry the whole world on your shoulders like this all the time."

I stopped, looking down at her hand before looking up into her eyes with a soft, firm shake of my head. "No, Chloe. You’ve already done way too much for us. You housed us three years ago when everyone else in the family turned their backs and called me names. You watch Hope for me every single day without asking for a penny. I owe you way too much already. I won't take your hard-earned money."

"Iris—"

"I mean it, Chloe," I cut her off gently, giving her hand a grateful squeeze before turning toward the small hallway. "Hope! Grab your backpack, sweetie! It's time for school!"

A few seconds later, the faint sound of small, hurried footsteps sounded across the floor. Hope came running out holding her little yellow backpack by its top loop, her bright blue eyes shining with fresh morning energy. She skipped straight toward the front door, stopping right beside Chloe with a sly little look on her face.

"Bye, Auntieeee Chloe!" Hope said loudly, deliberately dragging out the word Auntie with a cheeky, mischievous grin.

Chloe gasped playfully, pressing a hand flat against her chest as if she had been deeply offended. "Oh, so now I finally get the respect I deserve? Get out of here, you little rascal!"

I chuckled softly, the light sound easing the heavy knot that had been sitting in my chest since last night. I took Hope's tiny, soft hand in mine, and together we stepped out into the crisp morning air.

The heavy rainstorm from the night before had finally cleared up, leaving the city streets wet, cold, and quiet under the morning sun.

But as we walked down the sidewalk toward the bus stop, my mind kept drifting back to the terror of last night. I could still hear the screech of those tyres, I could still see those blinding headlights.

Most of all, I could still see the arrogant, cold face of that man in the hospital room, treating me like a piece of trash he could just buy off with a check.

I took a deep breath, shaking my head to force the dark memories out. Focus on today, Iris, I told myself. You survived last night. You just need to keep your head down and work.

When we finally arrived at St. Jude Academy, the long main hallway was already filled with noisy chatter as parents dropped off their toddlers for the day. I led Hope into my classroom, helping her hang her yellow backpack on her assigned small hook near the door before turning to greet the arriving children.

The moment I stepped onto the colorful play rug in the center of the room, the familiar, bright environment brought a sudden sense of peace to my racing heart. It was easy to let my sweet, calm teacher mask settle back onto my face naturally. Here, with these innocent kids, I felt safe.

Not long after the morning bell rang, the classroom door creaked open, and one of my sweetest pupils came running through the entrance.

"Miss Iris!" Lily squealed, her tiny legs moving as fast as they could across the floor.

A real, genuine warmth bloomed in my chest. I dropped down to my knees and opened my arms wide, catching her in a tight, protective hug. I lifted her slightly off her feet, swinging her around in a gentle circle before setting her down on the rug.

"Good morning, my sweet Lily!" I said, my voice dripping with soft affection as I brushed a stray lock of dark hair away from her face. "Did you have a good sleep last night?"

Lily nodded her little head eagerly, her tiny fingers clinging tightly to the fabric of my sweater. "I drew a picture for you, Miss Iris! It's in my bag!"

Before I could answer her, Hope ran over from the play corner, her eyes lighting up the very second she spotted Lily. Both little girls let out delighted gasps and threw their arms around each other, hugging tightly like inseparable sisters who hadn't seen each other in years.

"Lily!" Hope giggled, holding both of Lily's hands as they bounced up and down on their toes together. "Look at my new light-up shoes!"

I couldn't help but smile at the sight. I reached out, gently pulling Lily closer to fix her loose shoelace so she wouldn't trip while playing. "Hold still for just a second, sweet girl. Let me tie this tight for you."

"My daddy brought me to school today!" Lily said happily, her small voice full of pride as she pointed her finger back toward the open classroom doorway. "He drove me in the big fast car!"

"Oh, really?" I murmured, keeping my head down as I wrapped the lace into a neat double knot. "That was very nice of your daddy."

I looked up, fully expecting to see one of the usual polite, friendly parents who always smiled and said good morning.

Instead, my entire body went completely rigid.

Standing right in the doorway, his broad, towering frame practically blocking out the light from the hallway, was the man from last night.

I froze on the floor, my fingers still gripping the ends of Lily's shoelace. My mouth opened slightly, but no sound came out. I was completely stunned, my mind struggling to process the scene in front of me. How on earth could such a sweet, gentle, quiet little girl belong to such an arrogant, cold-hearted man?

Last night in that hospital room, I had been far too panicked, terrified, and blinded by rage to really look at him properly. But now, standing under the bright classroom lights, I couldn't ignore the way he looked.

He was dangerously, unbelievably handsome. He had a strong, sharp jawline that looked like it was carved out of stone, piercing dark eyes that seemed to cut right through you, and thick dark hair styled back with effortless perfection.

He wore a dark suit that emphasized his wide shoulders and immense height, making him tower over every single person in the room. He was a fine man—an exceptionally, ridiculously attractive man.

As my eyes lingered on the sharp line of his lips and the dangerous power radiating off his body, a sudden feeling of wetness formed between my thighs, taking me completely by surprise.

My breath hitched violently in my throat, a fierce, burning heat rushing straight to my cheeks.

Jesus, Iris, are you completely stupid? I scolded myself wildly in my head, my heart beating very fast while I was burning with embarrassment. He almost killed you last night with his car! He stood over your hospital bed and treated you like a nobody! Don't go lusting after a dangerous man like that!

I let out a low, shaky sigh, squeezing my eyes shut for a second as I desperately tried to clear my head and force the crazy, embarrassing thoughts away. My hands were trembling slightly as I pulled them back from Lily's shoe and slowly stood up to face him.

The warm glow on my face shattered instantly, replaced by a tight, guarded expression as my eyes locked onto his dark, unreadable gaze.

He didn't hesitate. He took a slow step forward into the room, his shadow falling over my body as he leaned down close enough for only me to hear his deep, quiet voice.

"We need to talk, Miss Hayes," he murmured, his dark eyes burning into mine. "About your future... and mine."