Chapter 53
Chapter 53
“Alpha Arthur.” He straightens, and his eyes widen when he notices me. “Miss… Miss Iris. You’re back.”
I don’t answer, not because I don’t want to, but because my throat is too choked up. “Cliff,” is all I can manage, greeting the man who I used to share coffees and conversations with on a daily basis. He looks older now, and his hair is whiter than it used to be, but… it’s him.
The doorman stares at me in shock for a moment before Arthur quickly cuts in, “We trust your discretion, as always, Cliff.”
He nods, quickly stepping aside to let us into the familiar marble lobby. Miles stares up at him, and Cliff gives him a lollipop from the stash he keeps behind the security desk Tears mist over my eyes as I watch the exchange, but I quickly blink them away.
As Arthur leads me to the old brass elevator and presses the button for the fifteenth floor, I feel as if I’ve walked into a dream that I’ve long forgotten. Even the gentle ding of each floor passing as we go up awakens something deep and tired within me, like a slumbering dragon.
Arthur is quiet, but when I look up, he’s staring at me. I quickly look away.
When the doors open into our old foyer, Miles bounces out into the space, spinning around excitedly. I hesitate at the threshold, though, my legs physically unable to carry me further. Arthur unlocks the double doors and swings them open, revealing what lies within.
It’s the same. Our old penthouse apartment–it’s exactly the way I left it.
The woven welcome mat that I purchased at a garage sale. The metal coat rack, still holding my yellow raincoat that I’ve missed these past five years. The plush living room furniture. The mahogany bar in the dining room. The tall bookshelves going all the way up to the thirteen–foot ceilings, packed so full with books that some are stacked on the hardwood floors.
I take a step in, my eyes widening as I look around. The long dining table, big enough to host parties at, the brick fireplace, the kitchen with its sleek black granite countertops and dark wood cupboards and stainless appliances.
For Goddess‘ sake, the little chip in the corner of the living room doorframe is still there, from when we were moving our sofa in and it caught on the wood.
It’s like I never left.
Suddenly, the feeling of Arthur’s hand on my shoulder pulls me out of my reverie, and it’s only then that I feel dampness on my cheeks and realize a few tears slipped free I quickly wipe them away.
“I thought you would have thrown everything away,” I mutter, glancing up at the painting over the fireplace- the portrait of Arthur in his wolf form that I painted years ago, right here in this very living room. “I thought you would have at least thrown away anything reminding you of me.”
Arthur huffs slightly, and I’m not sure if it’s a chuckle or something else. “I couldn’t,” he admits, pulling away to help Miles take off his shoes by the front door. “Your studio is still intact, by the way. You’re welcome to use it.”
The thought makes my chest constrict painfully. Countless nights spent in that studio, sunshine warming my face, the scent of linseed oil in the air…
I’m not sure if I can muster the courage to go in there tonight.
But it’s late now anyway, past Miles‘ bedtime, and his eyelids are beginning to droop. We say goodnight, and I avoid looking Arthur in the eye; because now that I’m here, home again, I fear I might cave and go back on my word about our relationship.
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Chapter 53
+25 BONUS
I quickly take Miles to the spare room upstairs, which I’ll be sharing with him during our stay, since I’m not setting foot in the room I used to share with Arthur. The spare room is still the same–yellow wallpaper, floral bedsheets, a cozy duvet. I help Miles get ready for bed, then tuck him in, kissing his forehead.
“Mommy?” he asks, looking up at me. “Can we stay here? Forever?”
I feel like I’m going to be sick, and I’m not sure how to answer. I want to. Of course I want to. But Arthur is still…
“I like it here,” Miles goes on. “It smells nice. Like you. And I feel like we’re a family.”
Miles‘ words make fresh tears well up, tears that aren’t as easy to wipe away as before. I don’t answer–I can’t. Rather, I crawl into bed with Miles, tugging him close against me. He’s too sleepy to notice my lack of a response and nuzzles into me, half–asleep already.
We fall asleep like that, Miles‘ small body tucked up against me. And just as I drift off, I almost forget that I ever left this place at all.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 54
Chapter 54
