By six thirty, Iris had spent most of the afternoon with her mother.
They had talked, watched television, and caught up on things Iris hadn't realized she had missed telling Annie. Her mother had even helped her reorganize a few things in her bedroom, despite Iris's repeated insistence that she was perfectly capable of doing it herself.
Now, they were in the living room. Annie sat comfortably on the sofa while Iris stood near the kitchen island, scrolling through her phone.
The sound of the front door unlocking caught their attention.
Iris looked up.
"That must be Damien."
Annie glanced toward the entrance.
"How do you know?"
"Because he lives here, Mum."
Annie gave her a look.
"Very funny."
Iris grinned just as the door opened.
Damien walked in, dressed in his usual black suit, with his briefcase in one hand and his phone in the other. He looked tired, and his tie was slightly loosened around his collar.
He closed the door behind him and looked toward the living room.
Then he stopped.
"Mrs. Wells?"
Annie stood, smiling warmly.
"Good evening, Damien."
"Good evening." He returned her smile politely. "I didn't realize you were still here."
"I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all." He set his briefcase down. "It's good to see you again. How has your day been?"
"Quite lovely, actually. Iris and I have been catching up."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Iris watched their exchange with a small smile.
At least Damien knew how to behave around her mother.
He turned toward Iris.
"And how has my wife been treating you?"
Iris narrowed her eyes.
"Excuse me?"
Annie laughed.
"She's been wonderful, darling."
"See?" Iris said, pointing at Damien. "Unlike some people, my mother appreciates me."
Damien raised an eyebrow.
"I never said I didn't appreciate you."
"You didn't have to."
He shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Then he glanced toward the dining area.
And froze.
His mother was sitting at the dining table, calmly sipping a cup of tea as though she had been there all her life.
Damien blinked.
Once.
Then twice.
"Mum?"
His mother looked up.
"Hello, darling."
He stared at her, then slowly looked toward Iris.
Iris suddenly became very interested in her phone.
Damien looked back at his mother.
"What are you doing here?"
His mother placed her cup on the table.
"Is that how you greet your mother?"
He let out a quiet breath, shaking his head.
"No. Of course not." He walked over and kissed her cheek. "Good evening, Mum. I didn't know you were coming."
"That's because I wanted it to be a surprise."
He glanced at Iris again.
She was biting the inside of her cheek, clearly trying not to laugh.
He knew that expression.
He knew it too well.
"Iris."
She looked up innocently.
"Yes?"
"Would you care to explain?"
"Explain what?"
He stared at her.
She smiled sweetly.
His mother chuckled.
"Iris called me this afternoon. She invited me over to spend some time with her."
Damien slowly turned toward Iris.
"You called my mother?"
"Yes."
"Without telling me?"
"Well, you weren't here."
He stared at her for another moment before letting out a disbelieving laugh.
Eleanor looked at Damien.
"Since when was it an issue to call me to spend some time with her... Am I not welcome?"
"No mum, it's not that at all."
He looked at Iris.
"Iris... can I talk you?"
"No, you can't." She smirked.
"Iris." She called her again.
She looked at his and sighed.
she stood up and went to meet him beside the kitchen.
He looked at her.
"Why did you call my mom?"
" I didn't want your mother to spend her day alone either."
"She's perfectly capable of spending a day alone, Iris."
"Oh, really? Interesting."
"This morning was different."
"Because you're being ridiculous," Iris replied
"I'm being ridiculous?"
"Very."
He rubbed a hand over his face.
"This is revenge, isn't it?"
Iris tilted her head.
"Revenge? I invited your mother over. I didn't commit a crime."
"Not yet."
She gasped dramatically.
"Did you just threaten me?"
His mother laughed.
"You guys realise you're both ridiculous?" Eleanor said, sipping her tea.
"They can hear you." She whispered.
He shot her a glare
"Oh, Damien. You have met your match."
He looked at her.
"Mum, please don't encourage her."
"I make no promises, darling."
Iris grinned triumphantly.
Damien glanced at Annie.
"Mrs. Wells, I apologize in advance."
Annie smiled.
"For what?"
He gestured vaguely toward Iris.
"For her."
Iris picked up a spatula.
"Say one more word, Damien Blackwood."
He raised both hands.
"All right. I'm going to change before I regret coming home."
"That would be a shame," Iris called after him. "We were just beginning to enjoy ourselves."
He glanced over his shoulder.
"Enjoy it while you can, Princess."
Her smile faltered for half a second.
Annie watched him go before turning to Iris.
Annie smiled at Eleanor knowingly.
Iris groaned.
For the moment, Iris decided to let the subject go.
She had dinner to finish.
And a husband to annoy.
Apparently, those were both becoming regular parts of her day.
A few minutes later, Damien returned wearing a dark grey T-shirt and black trousers.
He looked more relaxed, although the tiredness hadn't completely disappeared from his face.
His mother patted the seat beside her.
"Come and sit with us for a little while."
Damien glanced at the kitchen.
"What's for dinner?"
"I'm making something simple," Iris replied.
"Something simple?" he repeated. "Should I be concerned?"
She turned to look at him.
"Do you want to cook instead?"
"No, thank you."
"Then be quiet."
His mother laughed.
Damien pulled out a chair and sat down beside her.
"How was your day, Mum?"
"Very good. And yours?"
"Busy."
"That isn't an answer."
"It's the only one I have."
His mother sighed.
"You work too much."
"Mum—"
"And before you start defending yourself, when was the last time you had a proper meal?"
Damien glanced at Iris.
She was suddenly very focused on the food she was preparing.
"Don't look at me," she said. "I didn't ask the question."
His mother gave him a pointed look.
"Well?"
He exhaled.
"Did you even have lunch?"
He looked away.
"Breakfast?"
He sighed.
Iris turned around.
"Oh he had coffee this morning." She smiled.
He rolled his eyes at her.
"Damien, that's not good." Annie said.
"It was a busy day."
"Damien! You just like your father."
"Mum, you're saying it like I dont eat at all."
"Do you? Because you seem to think the company will collapse if you take thirty minutes to eat."
Iris turned around.
"Thirty minutes? He couldn't even manage that?"
Damien looked at her.
"Are you joining the lecture?"
"I'm simply gathering information."
"Of course you are."
She smiled.
He shook his head.
His mother shook her head and stood up.
"Come on, Iris. Let me help you with dinner."
"Oh, you don't have to."
"I know. I'd like to."
Together, they finished preparing the meal while Damien remained at the table, answering a few messages on his phone.
Every now and then, Iris caught him glancing toward the kitchen.
Eventually, she turned to him.
"Is there something you need?"
He looked up.
"No."
"Then why do you keep looking over here?"
"I'm allowed to look around my own apartment."
"Of course."
She turned back to the stove.
Damien shook his head, but the corner of his mouth lifted.
Annie and Damien's mother exchanged an amused glance.
Neither of them said a word.
They didn't need to.
Dinner was served a little later.
The four of them sat around the dining table, talking about their day.
For a while, the conversation remained light. Annie shared a funny story about something that had happened at home, and Damien's mother recounted an incident from one of the family gatherings.
Iris laughed so hard at one point that she nearly spilled her drink.
Damien looked at her.
"Careful."
She steadied her glass.
"I'm fine."
"I can see that."
"Then why did you say anything?"
"Because I prefer my dining table without spilled drinks."
She stared at him.
Eleanor chuckled.
"Honestly, you two sound like an old married couple."
Iris nearly choked on her food.
Damien reached for his glass, hiding a smile.
"Mum."
"What? It's true."
Annie laughed.
"I was thinking the same thing."
"Mum!" Iris protested.
"What?" Annie asked innocently. "I didn't say anything wrong."
Iris looked at Damien.
He was smiling.
As dinner continued, Eleanor turned toward Iris.
"How's everything going, sweetheart? Have you been able to get a job?"
Iris nodded.
"I'm managing. Although everything has been a little complicated lately."
"I can imagine." His mother paused. "But I hope you know that you should continue pursuing your goals. Marriage shouldn't mean giving up the things that matter to you."
Iris looked at her, genuinely touched.
"Thank you. That means a lot."
"Of course. You worked hard to get where you are. You shouldn't have to abandon your dreams because your circumstances have changed."
"Speaking of dreams, Iris, have you heard from research place?"
"What research place?" Eleanor asked.
Iris looked at her.
"I applied for a job at a psychology research institute but i haven't heard anything."
"Really? Which one?"
"The Willow Institute."
Eleanor looked at Damien.
"Damien."
He looked up.
"Doesn't Sasha own Willow Institute?"
"Hm.. yeah, she doesn't."
"Do you mind talking to her to look into Iris's resume?"
"Oh no, he doesn't have to."
He looked at her.
"I dont mind."
"Perfect." Eleanor smiled.
"Thank you," she mouthed.
Damien glanced at her.
Their eyes met briefly.
Then he looked down at his plate, saying nothing.
But he had heard every word.
For some reason, his mother's reminder stayed with him.
The conversation eventually moved to other subjects, and the evening continued pleasantly.
For the first time in a while, the apartment felt less like two people sharing a living space because they had to and more like a home.
Damien wasn't sure when that had happened.
He wasn't entirely sure how he felt about it, either.
After dinner, Damien's mother checked the time.
"I should be going."
Damien looked up.
"Already?"
She smiled.
"Yes, darling. I have an early morning tomorrow."
He stood and reached for her handbag.
"Let me get that for you."
"Thank you."
Annie rose as well, gathering her own things.
"I should be heading home, too. I've taken up enough of your time."
Iris turned toward her.
"Mum, you haven't taken up anyone's time."
Annie smiled.
"I know, sweetheart. But I have things to do tomorrow, and it's getting late."
Iris hugged her.
"Thank you for staying with me today."
Annie kissed her cheek.
"Anytime, darling. You know you can always call me."
"I know."
"And don't forget what we talked about this morning."
Iris sighed.
"Mum."
"I'm just reminding you."
"I remember."
"Good."
Annie hugged her once more before turning to Damien.
"Goodnight, Damien. Thank you for having me."
"Of course, Mrs. Wells. You're always welcome."
"That's very kind of you."
He opened the door for her.
"Have a safe journey home."
"I will. Goodnight, darling."
"Goodnight."
After Annie left, Damien turned back to his mother, who was waiting by the entrance.
"Call me when you get home," he told her.
"I will."
She kissed his cheek.
"And try to get some rest tonight."
"I will, Mum."
She gave him a knowing look.
"Actually rest. Not sit in your study answering emails until midnight."
Damien sighed.
"Goodnight, Mum."
She laughed and hugged him before turning toward Iris.
"Goodnight, sweetheart. Thank you for inviting me over."
"You're welcome. Come over anytime."
"I will."
After another hug, his mother finally left.
Damien closed the door and turned around.
Iris was already walking toward the kitchen.
"Iris."
She stopped.
"Yes?"
He slipped his hands into his pockets.
"Thank you."
She blinked.
"For what?"
"For inviting my mother over."
She smiled.
"I didn't expect you to."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Why wouldn't I? She's lovely."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"She likes you."
"Well, I'm very likeable."
"Debatable."
She gasped.
"Take that back."
"No."
"Damien!"
She picked up the cushion on the sofa.
He laughed.
Then, after a brief pause, his expression softened.
"Seriously, though. Thank you."
Iris's teasing smile faded into something gentler.
"I'm glad."
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
Then she tilted her head.
"So, you see? I can be thoughtful, too."
"I never said you couldn't."
"You didn't have to."
He let out a quiet laugh.
She smiled triumphantly.
"Well, now you know."
"Apparently."
Iris turned to head upstairs, but his voice stopped her.
"And Iris?"
She looked back.
"What?"
"Goodnight."
She stared at him for a second before smiling.
"Goodnight, Damien."
Then she headed upstairs.
Damien remained in the living room for a moment, looking toward the staircase.
He hadn't expected to come home to find both mothers in his apartment.
And he certainly hadn't expected to find himself grateful that Iris had invited his mother over.
Living with Iris Wells was turning out to be far less predictable than he'd imagined.
And, for reasons he wasn't quite ready to examine, he wasn't sure he minded.