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
Once I’m certain he’s asleep, I let out a soft sigh and bend down, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead.“Goodnight, little wolf,” I whisper. The familiar nickname feels even more ironic now.After changing out of my gown, I’m not even close to feeling tired. Rather, I change into a pair of sweatp
IrisOnce we’re alone, I turn to Miles. He’s already back to being his usual smiley self, happily eating his sandwich and munching on his apple slices. The sight makes the ice around my heart melt just a little, and I ruffle his hair as I move past him.I pour him a glass of milk, then one for mysel
When I burst into the apartment, Miles is still sitting there, staring at his plate of plain vegetables and steamed tofu. The sight breaks my heart, and I whirl toward Mrs. White, who’s sitting in the armchair in the living room with her arms folded and a smug expression on her face.“He wouldn’t—”
IrisWhen I finally work up the courage to emerge from the coat closet, I’m both surprised and relieved to find that the event is going on just the same as it was before. The walls aren’t burning down and no one looks at me as I make my way back to the main area, so I suppose that means that whateve







