LOGINI can hardly believe it. Before my friends can say anything else, I squeal and throw my arms around them both, jumping up and down. Liam and Brian and the twins are the one major thing I’ve missed dearly since leaving Bo’Arrocan, and to find that they’re finally considering living in Ordan full time
“On schedule, believe it or not,” I reply. “The Bo’Arrocan branch is finally running smoothly, and the Ordan location just graduated its first class of seniors. Six of them got full scholarships to prestigious art schools.”“That’s amazing, Iris.” Alice squeezes my arm. “You’ve created something tru
IrisFive Years Later…“Fifty years of marriage, and they still make each other laugh like that,” Arthur says, appearing at my side with two glasses of champagne. He hands me one and clinks his against it, and we watch as my parents twirl on the lawn, my mom throwing her head back at something my fa
“Gee. Thanks,” I manage to laugh weakly. “I’ll see you all next week.”“You most certainly will not,” Arthur, Hunter, and Alice all say in unison, making me roll my eyes.Outside, Arthur’s car is waiting, parked haphazardly half on the curb. He must have driven like a maniac to get here so quickly f
IrisEight months later…“And that’s why the colors on this side of the color wheel are considered ‘cool’ colors,” I explain to the class of children sitting in a semicircle around me. “They remind us of water, ice, and the sky.”I’m demonstrating on a large color wheel chart when a sharp pain rips
And through it all, Augustine’s breathing grows slower, shallower.Then, quietly and calmly, she goes.Her hand turns limp in mine. The steady beeping of the heart monitor flatlines. The doctor steps forward, checks for a pulse, then shakes her head.“Time of death, 10:47 AM,” she says quietly.I br
“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
I shake my head, refusing to believe her words. “You’re lying. Arthur loves Miles.”She tilts her head in an almost feline fashion. “Keep telling yourself that.” Selina tucks the document back into her purse. “But ask yourself why he never told you about Miles’ true nature. Why he let you believe yo
Iris & ArthurIrisSuddenly, as I’m reading the legal letter, a sharp knock at the door breaks through the silence. I fold the letter quickly and tuck it into my dress pocket, then open the door without checking first—a mistake.Selina is standing there.“We need to talk,” she says, pushing past me
Arthur & IrisArthurI watch Iris rush out of the gallery, and something inside of me snaps. The pain on her face, the tears in her eyes—all caused by Selina’s lies. By my weakness in letting this charade continue for too long.No more.I stride back into the main gallery, looking for Selina. She st







