Page 158 of Iris

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Back at the ball, the newest catch is hot, hot, hot.

But he might come with caveats and dark secrets…

Black Briar ring any bells??

And on top of it all…

(drumroll, please)

Is there a

BABY

On its way?

Violet’s lookin’ like she’s about to burst and someone called anAMBULANCE!

Our movie star’s beside himself and the whole party has descended into pandemonium.

Are the Nightshades coming to change Sabine?

Is someone after the Monarch?

And is Violet having an early baby???

Stay Tuned!

Best. Ball. Ever!!!

- Queen Bee

CHAPTER

FORTY-SIX

Iris

Irace into the house, through the back entrance which is meant to be for staff, in tandem with Mari and Rue.

“This way,” Mari pants, the music still playing. As we arrive in the sitting room, Mom tries to hold a frantic Stephan back as the paramedics do their job. Violet is sitting in a chair, face clammy and pale.

There’s a gurney next to her, but the paramedics are tending to her where she is. For now.

If this was a scene from a movie, he’d go from frantic to the man who swoops in and saves his love at the last minute. But she wouldn’t be pregnant. It’d be something else he saves her from, like a jealous ex.

But this is real life, and he just looks scared and focused on Violet.

Heath’s at the door with Penrith. I can hear them directing people away as they try to make sure the ball continues.

“Is this a scandal?” Rue asks. “It doesn’t look like a scandal.” She goes to rush over to Violet, but Mom catches her and Mari goes to Stephan to try and talk to him.

I slide in and hold Violet’s hand.

“I think it was those pickles,” she whispers with a small laugh.

There’s a blood pressure cuff on her arm and the Beta EMT is checking something on a portable machine. The other EMT is fussing with a stethoscope, and while I’m smiling, my hearts hammering hard.

People have babies early. But this is too early, isn’t it?

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