It was morning already. The sunlight streamed gently through the large windows, filling the room with a warm golden glow.
The city outside was already awake, with cars moving along the streets and the distant sounds of the morning drifting through the glass.
The room was quiet and peaceful, with the soft hum of the air conditioner in the background.
The curtains moved slightly with the cool breeze, while the sunlight slowly spread across the floor.
It was one of those calm mornings where everything seemed to move a little slower.
Iris slowly opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds.
She remembered falling asleep downstairs while watching the movie with Damien.
Then she remembered him carrying her upstairs.
Her face immediately warmed.
She sat up and looked around the room.
She was still in Damien's bed.
Sienna was asleep beside her, curled up comfortably under the blankets.
Iris sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
She looked toward the window.
She slowly got out of bed, careful not to wake Sienna, and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth, then she went downstairs.
As she was going downstairs, she saw Damien in the kitchen dressed for work in a perfectly tailored black suit over a crisp white shirt and black silk tie. His polished black Oxford shoes completed the look, while a silver watch rested against his wrist. He was looking every bit like the CEO of Blackwood International Group. He was drinking a cup of coffee.
Then he turned towards the stairs.
He saw her and smiled.
"Good morning."
She came downstairs immediately and went to the kitchen.
"Morning." She smiled.
"How do you feel?"
"Better, thanks."
He nodded.
"Coffee?"
"Yeah."
He opened the drawer and picked up a mug.
Then he poured her a cup.
He handed her the mug.
"Careful. It's hot."
Iris accepted it.
"Thank you."
She leaned against the kitchen island and took a small sip.
Damien returned to his coffee, glancing at her briefly.
"Feeling better?"
"Much better, thanks."
He nodded.
"Good."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Iris took another sip of her coffee before glancing at him.
"You're going to work?"
Damien looked down at his watch.
"I have a meeting at eight."
"Eight?" She glanced at the clock. "It's almost eight!"
"I'm aware."
"And you're still here drinking coffee?"
He gave her a look.
"I own the company, Iris. I can afford a few extra minutes."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Must be nice."
"Very."
Iris shook her head and returned her attention to her coffee.
Damien finished his drink and placed the mug in the sink.
"I'll be leaving in a few minutes."
She nodded.
"Okay."
He picked up his phone from the kitchen island and checked his messages.
A knock sounded at the front door.
Both of them turned toward the entrance.
Damien glanced at his watch.
"She's early."
Iris looked at him, confused.
"Who's early?" she asked.
He set his phone down and walked toward the door.
When he opened it, a woman stood on the other side.
Iris's mother.
Damien smiled politely.
"Good morning, Mrs. Wells."
"Good morning, Damien."
She stepped inside, and Damien closed the door behind her.
Iris, who had heard her mother's voice, appeared in the living room.
"Mum?"
Her mother turned toward her.
"Good morning, darling."
Iris stared at her in surprise.
"What are you doing here?"
Her mother raised an eyebrow.
"Is that how you greet your mother?"
"No, I just..." Iris glanced between them. "I wasn't expecting you."
"I can see that."
Iris turned toward Damien.
"Did you know she was coming?"
"Yes."
Her eyes widened.
"You knew?"
Damien nodded calmly.
"I called her."
"You called my mother?"
"Yes, Iris. That's generally how phone calls work."
She shot him a look.
"Very funny."
Damien ignored her expression and turned toward Annie.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"No, thank you, darling."
Iris folded her arms.
"Hm.. Damien, we need to talk.. Just like over here."
"No, we don't."
She shot him a look.
"Fine." He said as he walked over to her.
"Okay, explain what's going on?"
Damien looked at her.
"Sienna mentioned that she has some things to attend to today and won't be able to stay."
Iris nodded slowly.
"She told you that?"
"Yes, she told me." He said.
"So I called your mother and asked if she could come over and keep you company." He added.
Iris stared at him.
"You did what?"
"Your mother was available, and I thought it would be better than leaving you alone all day."
"I can stay alone, Damien."
"I know."
"Then why did you call her?"
He looked at her for a moment.
"Because I wanted to make sure you had someone around if you needed anything."
Iris opened her mouth, but no words came out immediately.
She hadn't expected that.
Her mother, meanwhile, was watching the exchange with a small smile.
"Well, I didn't mind coming over," Annie said. "Besides, I wanted to see you, darling."
Iris turned toward her, realizing her mom heard everything.
"I think she heard you." Damien whispered with a grin.
she looked at him and rolled her eyes.
"Mum, you didn't have to come all the way here."
"I know. I wanted to."
"But I'm perfectly capable of staying alone."
Annie smiled.
"I'm sure you are, sweetheart. That doesn't mean I can't spend the day with my daughter."
Iris sighed.
"Fine."
Damien checked his watch again.
"I should get going. I have a meeting at eight."
Annie nodded.
"Of course. Don't let us keep you."
"You're not."
He picked up his briefcase from the dining table and headed toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned to Annie.
"Thank you for coming, Mrs. Wells. I appreciate it."
"Of course, Damien."
He nodded, then glanced at Iris.
"I'll see you later."
"Okay. Have a good day."
"Thank you."
He opened the door and then looked back at Iris, holding up her middle finger to him.
He smiled and stepped out.
Iris watched the door close before slowly turning toward her mother.
Annie was already looking at her with an expression Iris knew far too well.
"What?"
Her mother smiled innocently.
"Nothing."
Iris narrowed her eyes.
"Mum."
"What?"
"Don't."
Her mother laughed softly.
"I haven't said anything!"
"You don't have to. I know that look."
Annie settled onto the sofa, looking far too pleased with herself.
"Well, I think it's rather thoughtful of Damien to call and make sure you wouldn't be alone today."
Iris looked away.
"He was probably just being responsible."
"Of course, darling."
"Mum."
"What?"
"Please don't start."
Annie laughed.
"All right, all right. I'll behave."
Iris wasn't convinced.
Not even a little.
She walked toward the kitchen to finish her coffee, wondering why Damien had felt the need to arrange company for her when she'd already told him she could manage on her own.
Still, she couldn't deny that she'd been a little surprised by the gesture.
And that was precisely what annoyed her.
Because she had absolutely no idea what to make of Damien Blackwood anymore.
Iris returned to the living room with her coffee and found Annie sitting comfortably on the sofa.
Her mother looked up.
"Come sit with me, darling."
Iris sighed dramatically but walked over and sat beside her.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
Annie smiled.
"Enjoying what?"
"This entire situation."
"What situation?"
"Mum!"
Annie laughed.
"All right, all right. I'll stop."
Iris shook her head and took another sip of coffee.
For a few moments, they sat quietly.
Then Annie turned toward her daughter.
"How have you really been?"
Iris glanced at her.
"I'm fine."
Annie gave her a look.
"Iris."
"What?"
"You know I didn't ask you to hear you say you're fine. I asked because I want to know how you're actually doing."
Iris lowered her mug.
Her mother's expression had softened, and for once, there was no teasing in her eyes.
"I'm okay, Mum."
"Are you happy?"
Iris hesitated.
It wasn't a question she had expected.
"I don't know."
Annie reached for her hand.
"You don't have to pretend with me, sweetheart."
Iris looked down at their joined hands.
"It's just... strange."
"What's strange?"
"Everything." She sighed. "Being married, living in a different place, sharing a home with someone I barely knew before all this happened. And now everyone seems to expect me to adjust as if it's the most normal thing in the world."
Annie listened quietly.
"I know this marriage wasn't what you wanted," she said gently. "And I know things haven't gone the way you imagined they would."
Iris swallowed.
"Sometimes I feel like everyone made decisions about my life without asking me what I wanted."
Annie's expression fell.
"Oh, darling."
"I'm not saying I hate Damien," Iris added quickly. "I don't. He's just... Damien."
Her mother chuckled softly.
"That sounds about right."
Iris smiled a little.
"But I still don't know what I'm supposed to feel about him."
"Then don't force yourself to feel anything you're not ready to feel."
Iris looked at her.
"What if nothing changes?"
"Then you'll figure out what that means when the time comes. You don't have to solve your entire future today."
Iris remained quiet, taking in her mother's words.
Annie squeezed her hand.
"Whatever happens, I want you to remember something. You are still Iris Wells. You're still the girl who used to argue with me about bedtime, who insisted she could do everything herself, and who somehow always managed to get her way."
Iris laughed.
"I did not always get my way."
Annie gave her a pointed look.
"Would you like me to remind you about the puppy incident when you were twelve?"
Iris gasped.
"That was years ago!"
"And yet I remember it very clearly."
"You're unbelievable."
Annie laughed, and Iris joined her.
For a moment, everything felt familiar again.
No marriage agreement. No expectations. No complicated feelings.
Just a mother and her daughter.
After their laughter settled, Iris leaned against her mother's shoulder.
"I miss home sometimes."
Annie kissed the top of her head.
"I know, sweetheart."
"I know I'm not that far away, but things are different now."
"They are." Annie paused. "But you can always come home. No matter what happens, that will never change."
Iris closed her eyes briefly.
"Thank you, Mum."
Annie wrapped an arm around her.
"You're welcome, darling."
They stayed like that for a little while before Iris suddenly sat up.
"Okay, enough emotional moments."
Annie laughed.
"Already?"
"Yes. You're going to make me cry, and I refuse to spend my morning crying."
"Of course."
Iris stood and held out her hand.
"Come on. Let's get breakfast."
Annie took her hand.
"Now you're speaking my language."
By late morning, Sienna had finally woken up.
She appeared downstairs with her handbag over one shoulder and her phone in her hand, looking considerably more awake than she had an hour earlier.
Iris turned from the kitchen counter.
"Look who's finally alive."
Sienna gave her a tired look.
"Good morning to you too."
"It's almost noon."
"And?"
Iris laughed.
Annie, who was sitting at the dining table, smiled at her.
"Good morning, Sienna."
"Good morning, Mrs. Wells."
Sienna walked over and hugged her before turning back to Iris.
"I need to leave soon."
Iris's smile faded slightly.
"Already?"
"Unfortunately." Sienna sighed. "I've got a few things I need to take care of today, and I can't keep postponing them."
Iris nodded.
"Okay."
Sienna narrowed her eyes.
"Don't give me that face."
"What face?"
"That face you're making right now."
"I'm not making a face."
"You are. It's your 'everyone is abandoning me' face."
Iris scoffed.
"I do not have that face."
"You absolutely do."
Annie laughed softly from the table.
Iris turned toward her.
"Mum, please don't encourage her."
"I'm not saying anything, darling."
"You're laughing!"
Sienna grinned.
"See? Even your mother agrees with me."
Iris shook her head.
"Both of you are impossible."
Sienna stepped closer and lowered her voice.
"Seriously, though. You'll be okay here?"
Iris glanced at her.
"Of course."
"And if you need me, call me."
"I will."
Sienna studied her for another moment before pulling her into a hug.
"I'm only a phone call away, okay?"
Iris hugged her back.
"Okay."
"And don't let your husband annoy you too much."
Iris pulled away.
"Too late."
Sienna burst out laughing.
Annie shook her head, smiling.
After collecting the last of her things, Sienna headed toward the door.
"Bye, Mrs. Wells!"
"Take care, sweetheart."
Sienna turned to Iris one last time.
"Call me later!"
"I will!"
"And I mean it!"
"Sienna, go!!"
Sienna laughed as she stepped outside.
Iris closed the door behind her and stood there for a moment.
The apartment suddenly felt a little quieter.
She turned around to find her mother watching her.
"What?"
Annie smiled.
"Nothing."
Iris pointed at her.
"Don't start."
"I haven't said anything."
"And I would appreciate it if you kept it that way."
Annie laughed.
Iris rolled her eyes, but she couldn't stop herself from smiling.
At least she still had her mother for company.