“I… you were…” she stammers, blinking rapidly like she’s just coming out of a trance too. “I just thought you were spiraling like you used to and—”
“Christ.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Yeah. Technically I was but… Iris,” I say her name more firmly than I expected, pulling her gaze back to mine. “I’m in love with Cece.”
My tone leaves no room for doubt. I’m just hoping she hears the conviction there.
She frowns, mumbling almost to herself. “But… but the clause…”
Is she thinking I’m with her just because of the clause?
“Has nothing to do with that,” I say. “I had three more years to fulfill it but I chose Cece. The merger with Wentworths came at a time, well…”
Shit. Have I somehow invited this? I never accidentally sent any signals, did I? Taewon’s words come back to me—calling me an idiot. I sure am.
And why am I even explaining all this to her?
I sigh, continuing cautiously. “Listen. What happened between us was ten years ago, Iris. Are you saying you still have feelings for me?”
I watch her carefully straightening her shoulders, tucking her hair behind her ear, her face gaining some confidence. “No, but…” She clears her throat. “I—I’m sorry. I thought—with the clause and your parents’ blackmail. I misunderstood. I thought we once shared something and…” She gives a tight, abrupt shake of her head.
Christ. I need to nip this in the bud. Before it comes back to bite me.
I shake my head, dropping my chin to my chest. My voice is gentle yet firm. “I know I once loved you, Iris. This is hard to say but I did. And you left me with just a letter. And with a realization that you… you didn’t trust me. You didn’t trust me with your career and now that I know—with the threats either. You could’ve told me but chose not to. And I moved on.”
She nods, her expression a tangle of sorrow and reluctant understanding. “You’re right. I should’ve… we’d have somehow.” She looks up again, a soft, sad smile tugging at her lips. “I’m sorry.”
I nod, accepting the closure dawning on her face.
Then suddenly her smile turns almost prideful. “You really are in love, huh? You found it again. You found the right woman.”
I match her smile. “I did.”
“I’m happy for you, Levi.”
I let out a long breath, nodding as if to seal the moment shut. That chapter had closed for me years ago—but maybe Iris had been waiting for this ending all along. Now that it’s done, all I feel is relief.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, and the second I see the text notification, a grin creeps onto my face.
“I’ll… I’ll head back.” She shoves her things into her bag, gives me a brisk nod that I absently return, and leaves.
The dread I’d shelved a few minutes ago returns all at once, wrapping around my chest. My heart is pounding rapidly. I close my eyes for a second and picture Cece’s hands on me, grounding me. Her voice soft, whispering,‘Calm.’It’s not the real thing—not yet—but it helps.
I fire off a text to her as I head to the parking lot.
Me: There’s some development. I’m heading to my parents’ house. But we need to talk. Be at their place in an hour if you can.
??????
“I’ll ask again, father,” I grit out. “When?When did you have the clause drawn in?”
I’m struggling to refrain myself from pacing in my parents’ sitting room, all my masks ripped cleanly off. But I need to study every single reaction on their faces. The low light streaming through the massive arch windows lights up their frustrated, panicked faces perfectly.
But my father doesn’t answer while my mother shifts uncomfortably on her chair.
“When?” I almost yell, when neither of them answers.
My mother sighs, defeated. “Fine. It was when you were dating that—that model. What was her name?”
She looks over at my father who’s glaring at me. But he never answers my mother’s question.
