Chapter 30
Iris
Thankfully, our first night in Ordan, Miles was too excited to see the twins and Brian and Liam to ask about Arthur. That doesn’t
mean that Brian and Liam didn’t ask, though.
“Girl, is he following you?” Liam asked last night over much–needed glasses of wine. “It seems like everywhere you are lately,
there he is.”
I rolled my eyes and waved him off. But even now, as the morning sun streams through the window of my shared–temporary-
bedroom with Miles, I can’t help but think back on yesterday.
I’m not sure if Arthur will try to meddle again, but I hope he won’t. Especially not after the way he actually insinuated that I only brought Miles here for inheritance money.
“Bastard,” I mutter out loud before I can stop myself
Miles, who’s just beginning to stir, rolls over. His hair is adorably mussed from sleep, and he yawns big and wide in that adorable
childlike way that kids do before they become too self–conscious of the faces they make.
“What did you say, Mommy?” he asks.
I shake my head and wrap my arms around him, pulling him close and tickling him. “Nothing, little wolf,” I say over the sounds
of his little giggles. Miles writhes against me, pushing away, his face scrunched up with laughter.
Ever since Miles was born, I called him my ‘little wolf‘. I know he’s not a werewolf–the doctors told me he was 100% human-
but when I look at him, he just looks so much like his father that I can’t help it.
For a few moments, I just hold him close, enjoying this moment of peace. Despite everything that happened with Arthur, I’ll
always be grateful for the beautiful child we made together. Even the scent of his hair is enough to make me want another.
It’s moments like this that make me wish Arthur could be here, though. I wish he was here for the past five years, and that we
could have raised our son together. But it’s too late now, and besides, it doesn’t matter. Miles and I are happy just the way we are.
But then comes the bombshell.
“Mommy?” Miles asks, lifting his head to look at me. “Was that man yesterday really my daddy?”
Something in my chest turns to ash. I don’t know what to say–either lie to Miles, going against everything I’ve prided myself on
as a mother, or tell him the truth and change everything.
Finally, I settle on the most simple answer; a distraction.
“Enough about him,” I say, ruffling his hair. “Let’s go out for breakfast. Just you and me. We’ll get waffles.‘
Miles‘ eyes light up at the mention of his favorite breakfast food of all time, and he’s momentarily distracted. I let out a breath of
1/2
+20 Bonus
- ed. For now at least
relief as he scrambles out of bed to get dressed. Crisis averted. For now, at least.
I quickly dress, throwing on a comfortable knit skirt and a slim fit blouse with flats. I throw my chestnut hair into a messy bun
and slap on a little mascara just to feel a bit more alive, and then we’re out the door.
Down the street, we head into a local diner that I used to love when I lived in Ordan. It’s one of those retro joints with chrome accents and vibrant red booths. We take a seat near the window, and while Miles is trying to decide on which topping to get for his
waffles, I sip my coffee.
“Can I have chocolate chips, Mommy?” Miles asks, glancing up at me. “And strawberries?”
I nod and order our breakfasts, and as we wait, Miles swings his legs and hums to himself. It’s a nice, quiet moment, the sort of
morning that I hope we’ll have plenty of now that we’re together again.
But just like earlier, that peace only lasts for so long.
“You never told me about that man.“‘
I nearly spill my coffee. “Honey…”
“He just felt familiar,” Miles says, wrinkling his nose. “I feel like I know him, even though I’ve never seen him before.”
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