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
IrisSeeing them together breaks my heart all over again.Arthur stands tall next to Selina, his hand resting on the small of her back as they chat with a small crowd of admirers. His Alpha President smile is perfectly in place, the one that graces magazine covers and campaign posters.Selina laughs
“Arthur, about those articles—”“I don’t want to talk about that right now,” he interrupts, standing up abruptly. “I have a lot of work to do tonight.”I watch him gather the contract papers and his laptop, heading toward his office without another word. The door closes behind him with a soft click
IrisMy face burns hot as the fans stare at us, their cameras in hand. I glance at Hunter, who looks just as stunned as I feel. For a long, awkward moment, there’s nothing but silence.“Please?” the girl asks, shaking her phone slightly. “Your relationship is so cute!”“I—we’re not—” I stammer, pull
IrisI blink at my phone screen, my thumb hovering over the article that’s just popped up in my notifications. The headline makes my stomach drop: “Famous Artist Hunter Maverick’s Secret Family Revealed?”There’s a photo beneath it—Hunter, Miles, and me at the Abbott Gallery presentation yesterday.







