Chapter 146
Iris
I stare at my phone for the hundredth time, checking for messages or missed calls from Arthur. Nothing. Not a single word since
he rushed out during dinner last night.
So much for family time. So much for “let me prove it to you.” Just another broken promise to add to the pile.
Miles finally fell asleep after crying for hours. He doesn’t understand why Arthur left so suddenly, why he didn’t even say
goodbye. I couldn’t give him answers because I don’t have any myself.
Just the same old pattern repeating itself–Arthur choosing something else over us. Always something more important than his
“family.”
I try to sleep, but my mind won’t quiet down. Every time I close my eyes, I see Arthur’s face as he rushed out the door. That look
of… what? Anger? Fear? Determination? I can’t place it, but something was very wrong.
Not that it matters. Whatever emergency called him away, he could have at least texted to explain. A simple message would have
sufficed. But nothing. Radio silence. As if Miles and I don’t even matter.
By morning, I’m exhausted and Irritable. I make Miles breakfast, grateful that Alice will be picking him up soon for a playdate at the park–she offered so I could rest and recover. Although shockingly, my body feels… great today.
Better than great, actually. It’s amazing. I woke up hardly sore at all. I feel like I worked out yesterday, that pleasant muscle soreness you get from a good gym session, but that’s it.
It’s as if I didn’t almost die a week ago.
It must be Arthur’s blood, just like the doctors said. He is the Alpha President, after all, and he was always a strong Alpha before
that. He must have very potent blood.
I’m scrolling mindlessly through news on my phone when a headline stops my heart.
“BREAKING: Alpha President’s Ex–Fiancee in Critical Condition After Fall.”
My fingers tremble as I tap the article. A photo loads at the top–Arthur sitting beside a hospital bed, his head in his hands. Selinal lies unconscious, tubes and monitors surrounding her.
The article is sparse on details, but I get the gist of it: Selina suffered a severe head injury after falling down the stairs in her home. She’s in a medically–induced coma. Arthur brought her to the hospital last night and hasn’t left her side.
I read it three times, trying to make sense of it. Arthur rushed from dinner with us… to go to Selina? And now she’s injured? And he’s keeping vigil at her bedside?
My stomach twists painfully. I can’t seem to decide if I’m jealous that he’s with her or horrified that something so awful happened to her or… I try to push away that tiny part of myself that almost wants to be glad she’s injured.
1/2
+20 Bonus
Before I can talk myself out of it, I’m getting dressed, calling a cab, and stopping at a florist on the way to the hospital. I’m not
sure why I feel compelled to bring flowers–maybe as a peace offering, maybe as armor. Either way, the bouquet of white lilies
feels like a shield as I enter the hospital.
Finding Selina’s room isn’t difficult. There’s a small crowd of reporters being held at bay by hospital security near the elevators
on the fourth floor. I slip past them, keeping my head down. My Flora disguise helps–no one looks twice at me.
The door to Selina’s private room is partially open. I hesitate outside, suddenly questioning my impulse to come here. What am I
going to say? What do I expect to happen?
Before I can decide whether to enter or flee, I hear voices from inside.
“-completely irresponsible! My sister is in a coma because of you!”
“I know, Caleb. And I’m sorry. I never meant for this to happen.”
That’s Arthur’s voice. I edge closer to the door, peering through the gap.
Arthur stands at the foot of Selina’s bed, looking exhausted. His clothes are rumpled, dark circles bruising the skin beneath his
eyes. Across from him is a tall man with the same aristocratic features as Selina–must be her brother, Caleb.
“Sorry doesn’t fix this,” Caleb snaps. “Sorry doesn’t wake her up!”
“The doctors say the swelling is already reducing,” Arthur says quietly. “She’ll recover.”
“You pushed her down a flight of stairs!”
My breath catches in
my throat. Arthur did what?
“It wasn’t like that,” Arthur sighs, running a hand through his hair. “We were arguing. I gestured–maybe too forcefully. She
stumbled. Lost her balance.”
“Convenient explanation,” Caleb sneers. “I’m sure that’s what you’ll tell the police when I file charges.”
Arthur doesn’t argue. Doesn’t defend himself. Just drops his head in apparent acceptance.
That’s when I push the door open, unable to stop myself. Both men turn to look at me, surprised.
