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
I can’t argue with that. My heart soars as I picture summers spent here as a family; all of the memories, the joy and laughter… Maybe more children will fill these walls, too. Although the thought of having more kids with Arthur makes me blush.After we unpack, a ranch hand offers to take us on a to
Iris“Welcome to Whispering Pines!” the cheerful pilot announces as our small private plane touches down on what can barely even be called a runway. It’s more like a cleared strip of land in the middle of nowhere.My eyes widen as I look out the window and recognize the familiar landscape of rolling
Arthur steps up beside me, his hand settling on the small of my back. “Selina, I’m glad to see you’re recovered. If you’d like, we can speak privately later.”She looks at him, then at me, then back to him. Something complex flashes across her face—anger, hurt, resignation, all in rapid succession.
IrisThe entire ballroom falls silent as Selina strides in looking like she wasn’t just in a coma yesterday. She’s fully decked out to the nines in a stunning silver ball gown, her hair and makeup utterly perfect.But her face is thunderous, cold gray eyes narrowed and fixed directly on me. Even aft







