Chapter 3

Iris's POV

Iris brushed off the tears from her cheeks and walked into the office with her head high, even though she was breaking inside.

Eric and Marcus fell silent immediately she walked in. She could see the look of sympathy on Marcus’s face, and the look of intense dislike on Eric’s face. 

Eric stood tall behind his desk, looking very much like the commanding Alpha. He was still the most devastatingly handsome man she had ever seen. With his perfectly tousled hair, piercing green eyes, broad shoulders, and sharp jawline, he had stolen her heart without even trying.

She used to look at that face and feel butterflies. She used to ache for his attention, and crave to be loved by him.

But now… none of that mattered.

Evie’s life was more important than the man who had never once looked at any of them with love.

It hurt her, yes. But she brushed it off.

All that mattered at that moment was that Eric gave Evie her greatest, and probably her last, wish.

Iris glanced at the document lying on the table. She wasted no time in picking it up. “This must be the divorce agreement,” She mused out loud.

Eric nodded in confirmation.

After going through the papers, she hummed. “Everything is in order. Evie is waiting for you at home, your responsibility as a good father starts now. After her birthday, I’ll sign the agreement and make the divorce official.” Iris said emotionlessly, then she turned to leave.

Eric furrowed his eyebrows in slight surprise at Iris’s cold attitude towards him. She didn’t even look so concerned or bothered as he had expected. He opened his mouth to say something when Zara walked in like she owned the place.

Instantly, every thought about Iris vanished from his mind, and his expression lightened. His lips curled into a smile as he stood to his feet to welcome Zara.

“Hey you,” he greeted warmly.

Iris couldn’t help but turn to look at Eric. He looked nothing like the cold and brash person that he always was to her. He looked so happy, and warm.

Zara flipped her blonde hair, and her icy blue eyes gleamed with jealousy immediately she saw Iris.

“Oh, Ja—Alpha,” she said softly, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were busy with your mate. I’ll come back another time.”

Eric’s expression darkened slightly at her words. “Don’t call her that. I’ve told you several times that she’s not my mate.”

Zara’s eyes shone with triumph and glee. She knew what her words would trigger. Marcus winced, looking at Iris with pity. Her fists tightened on the document in her hands as a wave of shame washed through her.

Eric turned to her with a cold look on his face. “You can leave. I’ll come by for dinner.”

Iris nodded mutely as she finally walked out of the room, trying to ignore Zara’s giggles as Eric murmured softly to her.

However, Iris’s shame and pain disappeared immediately she got home and shared the news with Eva.

Eva’s face split into a wide grin. “Really? Will Daddy really come for dinner tonight?” she asked, finding it hard to believe that her father would finally be there. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had sat at a dinner table with him.

Iris couldn’t help but smile at her daughter’s pure excitement. “Yes, baby. He’ll be here tonight.”

Evie clapped her hands with a gasp, then ran off toward her room. “I’m going to wear my favorite dress! The yellow one with the butterflies!”

Iris watched her go, heart aching. She knew not to get her hopes up, but for Eva’s sake, she prayed Eric wouldn’t disappoint her.

~

That evening, Iris prepared a simple but delicious dinner. Evie helped set the table, placing the forks and napkins with so much care and caution, trying to make sure everything was perfect for her father. Every few minutes, Evie would run to the window to peek out, asking, “Is he here yet?”

Finally, a knock came.

Eric stood at the door, looking as cold and unreadable as ever. Iris said nothing to him, but Evie ran into his arms the moment she saw him.

“Daddy!”

Eric looked stunned at first. She hugged his waist tightly, and for a moment, his hand hovered awkwardly in the air before he slowly rested it on her back.

“Hi,” he muttered.

That one word was enough for Eva. She beamed with joy.

Dinner was very awkward. Eric said very little, and he barely touched his food. Iris focused on Eva, asking about her day, her school friends, her drawings. Evie did most of the talking, her excitement filled the room as she held a one-sided conversation with Eric.

At one point, Evie reached across the table and placed her hand on Eric’s. “You’re really here,” she whispered, as though she couldn’t believe it hadn’t been a dream. “Do you think you could come again tomorrow?”

Eric cleared his throat and mumbled. “We’ll see.”

After dinner, Iris began clearing the plates, but Evie tugged on Eric’s hand.

“Daddy… will you tuck me in tonight?”

Eric hesitated.

“Please?” she added quickly. “Just this once?”

Iris froze in the kitchen, not turning around, waiting for Eric’s response.

Eric sighed. “Alright.”

Evie beamed and pulled him toward her room. She chatted with excitement, showing him her drawings, her stuffed animals, and everything else. She slid under the covers and looked up at him with sleepy eyes.

“Will you stay until I fall asleep?”

Eric nodded silently and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Daddy?” she whispered after a moment.

“Yes?”

“I’m your daughter… right?”

He gave her a faint nod. “Yes.”

Evie smiled. “Okay. Goodnight, Daddy.”

She rolled over and fell asleep with a small smile on her lips.

Eric stayed for a few minutes watching Evie with an unreadable expression on his face. She had his nose, and his blonde hair. But those blue eyes belonged to Iris.

His phone pinged, pulling him out of his thoughts. It was Zara. 

Zara: Tiffany is so sad that you couldn't tuck her in. She's refusing to sleep until you come.

Eric stood slowly, he glanced at Evie, and a small smile crossed his lips. She looked so peaceful, clutching her favorite stuffed bunny tightly.

His phone pinged again.

Zara: Tiffany is crying now. She won’t sleep without you.

Eric clenched his jaw, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

He bent down slowly and hesitated, then leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to Evie’s forehead. 

As he straightened up, his eyes landed on Iris, who was standing quietly in the hallway with her arms crossed, and an unreadable expression on her face. She had been watching him the whole time.

Eric froze, then his eyes darkened with irritation.

He brushed past her like she was nothing.

“Where are you going?” She asked as he made his way to the door.

He paused, keeping his back to her as he replied coldly. “I have something urgent to handle.

She stepped closer, trying to keep her voice calm. “Evie will be heartbroken if she wakes up and you’re gone.”

“She asks every night,” Iris said quietly. “If you’ll come. She believes every excuse I give her, just to protect your image and her heart. If you hate me as much as you say you do, it shouldn't be too hard to pretend you care for her, just so you can get rid of me.”

He didn’t turn. “I’ll be back in the morning to pick her up for school.”

Without another word, he walked out.

And Iris just stood there, staring at the empty hallway, her heart burning with grief and pain.