Se connecterI 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
IrisMy hands are shaking as I pull Miles onto my lap, cradling his face against my chest. He grumbles and tries to wrench his head away so he can get a proper look, but I hold fast. I don’t want him to see—don’t want him to see the protesters or the look of fury in his father’s glowing red eyes.Th
After the consultation ends, Arthur takes Miles to look at the class pet while I make my way to the principal’s office for a brief appointment. The room is spacious and elegant, with large windows overlooking the school grounds.“Miss Willford,” she greets me warmly. “You said you wanted to speak to
Iris“And this is where I sit during reading time!” Miles shouts as he pulls Arthur and me toward a corner of the classroom filled with bean bags and pillows. “Miss Thompson lets me pick any book I want from the special shelf because I’m one of the best readers in class.”“Is that so?” Arthur asks w
“Her charity,” Selina scoffs. “Have you looked into that charity of hers? Really looked into it?”I think about what Arthur told me—about the discrepancies in the funding. Could Selina be right?“Arthur has always had money,” Selina continues, “and now that he’s President, he has even more power, mo







