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
IrisNo matter how many times I do this, I’ll never get used to giving lectures. And without my old ‘Flora’ disguise, I feel like I’ve been stripped of my protective armor, leaving me even more exposed and vulnerable.My hands shake slightly as I click through the final slides of my presentation. Th
I frown. So it’s a family thing. “But Selina was engaged to Arthur and they didn’t seem to have any issues with it as far as I know.”“Yes,” Caleb admits with a nod, “but they liked Selina because she was perfectly bred and raised to be the ideal Luna. You, however…” Caleb gives me a meaningful look
IrisLater that night, after hours of sitting at my computer, I finally hit ‘save’ on my laptop and lean back with a satisfied sigh.The presentation is finally done—a comprehensive look at the evolution of surrealist portraiture techniques over the last fifty years. My fingers ache from typing, and
Augustine reaches across and pats my hand. “A strong relationship isn’t built on lies, Iris. Whatever secret you’re keeping, it will only grow heavier with time.”Her words hit me like a punch to the fucking face. She’s right, of course. Every day I keep this from Arthur feels like another brick add







