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
IrisArthur leaves after that, which is both a relief and a disappointment for reasons I’m not sure if I’m ready to admit. Miles is happily playing in the guest bedroom, so I leave him be and head straight to my studio, ready to get to work.Over the next couple of hours, I slip back into my groove.
I suppose it doesn’t matter at this point if I back out or not, since that clause will still prevent me from leaving the country with Miles for a year regardless. Unless I get legal help, of course. Which I will. Once I earn enough money.Still, I have no intention of using Arthur’s money for anythi
Iris“Hello, Iris,” Selina says, flipping a blonde curl over her shoulder with a manicured hand. “Fancy seeing you here.”I freeze in the doorway to the living room, suddenly feeling out of place in what was once my own home. Arthur is sitting in an armchair across from Selina, who is perched on the
“Hello!” I say cheerfully to a woman who’s passing by. “Can I interest you in a—”The woman ignores me, her heels clicking as she hurries past.I sigh, but shake it off and turn to the next person. “Can I interest you in a Flora original? Just three hundred dollars!”The man, wearing a leather jacke







