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… I don’t know,” he finally admits after a long moment. “It’s all so foggy. Like trying to remember a dream.”My heart sinks, and I sit up fully, tugging my dress back into place over my shoulders. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” I say quickly, even though the thought of not know
IrisMiles has been asleep for hours now. Cliff has long since left, trudging downstairs to his own apartment. The apartment is quiet, save for the soft crackle of the record player in the corner of the living room, and Arthur and I are far from sleeping ourselves.We sway slowly to the soft music,
The crowd murmurs in response, but no one interrupts.“First,” Arthur continues, “I want to address the accusations against Iris Willford and my Beta, Ezra. They are completely false. They did not attempt to poison Veronica Willford. In fact, it was Nora, a longtime family friend of the Willfords, w
Iris“Yes,” I breathe. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you.”Arthur’s face breaks into the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen, full of relief and joy and love. He slides the ring onto my finger—a perfect fit, just as I knew it would be—and rises to his feet in one fluid motion.And then his arms are aro







