Chapter 3

Iris's POV

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

Eric and Marcus fell silent immediately I walked in. I 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 I had ever seen. With his perfectly tousled hair, piercing green eyes, broad shoulders, and sharp jawline, he had stolen my heart without even trying.

I used to look at that face and feel butterflies. I 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 us with love.

It hurt me, yes. But I brushed it off.

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

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

Eric nodded in confirmation.

After going through the papers, I 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.” I said emotionlessly, then I turned to leave.

Eric furrowed his eyebrows in slight surprise at my cold attitude towards him. I 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 me 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.

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

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

“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 me with pity. My fists tightened on the document in my hands as a wave of shame washed through me.

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

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

However, my shame and pain disappeared immediately I got home and shared the news with Evie.

Evie’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.

I couldn’t help but smile at my 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!”

I watched her go, heart aching. I knew not to get my hopes up, but for Evie’s sake, I prayed Eric wouldn’t disappoint her.

~

That evening, I 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. I 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. I 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, I 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?”

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

Eric sighed. “Alright.”

In the night, Evie beamed and pulled him toward her room. I stood at the door, watching Evie’s happiness.

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 1ips.

Eric stayed for a few minutes watching Evie. She had his nose, and his blonde hair. But those blue eyes belonged to me.

His phone pinged. My heart sank.

Seeing Eric’s 1ips twitch into a small smile, I knew right away it had to be Zara.

Eric stood slowly, he glanced at Evie. She looked so peaceful, clutching her favorite stuffed bunny tightly.

His phone pinged again.

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 me, standing quietly in the hallway with my arms crossed, and an unreadable expression on my face. I had been watching him the whole time.

Eric froze, then his eyes darkened with irritation.

He brushed past me like I was nothing.

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

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

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

“She asks every night,” I 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 I just stood there, staring at the empty hallway, my heart burning with grief and pain.