ログインI 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
Iris“Nervous” doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel as I stand in the conference room in front of Arthur’s staff three days later.My presentation—which has been painstakingly revised after my visit with Veronica—is ready to go, my laptop connected to the projector. Around the oval table sits A
“May I?” she asks, gesturing to my laptop.I nod, turning the screen toward her. She scrolls through my presentation quietly, one hand delicately holding her teacup. I watch her face for any sign of judgment, but she remains professionally neutral.“This is a good start,” she finally says, and my he
Iris“Hello?” Veronica’s voice crackles through the intercom.“Hi, it’s Iris. Iris Will—” I stop myself, realizing how stupid I sound. She knows who I am. “Caleb gave me your address. I was hoping I could talk to you about something.”There’s a brief pause, and I wonder if she’s going to turn me awa
I bite my lip, still uncertain.“I understand your concern,” Dr. Elliot continues. “But if it helps, many of our families sponsor scholarships for children who couldn’t otherwise afford to attend Wellington.”“Scholarships?”The principal nods. “Yes. We reserve twenty percent of our enrollment for s







