Page 88 of Forgotten Deeds

Chapter Thirty-Four

Lily

After a terrible night’s sleep, I enter Iris’ room to wake her for school, but the bed’s empty. Following the smell of coffee and maple syrup to the kitchen, any hopes of not having to interact with Darius go out the window.

“Morning, wifey,” he says, extending a travel mug of coffee.

Ignoring him, I walk over to Iris and kiss her on the top of the head. “Hey, sweetie. Finish up, please. We need to get going.”

“Darius made pancakes!” She smiles, her mouth and teeth stained from the blueberries.

“I can see that.” I smile back tightly. “Come on, let’s brush teeth. We need to go.”

“I want Darius to take me to school,” Iris says.

“I’m taking you,” I tell her firmly. “Come on, let’s wash up.”

“Listen to your mama,” he says, opening a bottle of pomegranate juice and taking a swig. Either the Fates are fucking with me or Darius is. “Maybe I can take you another day this week,” he tells Iris.

“You can’t,” I say tersely. “Let’s go, Iris,” I say, practically dragging her up the stairs to her bathroom.

“Mama, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, sweetie. I just have a final, and I need to get to school early.”

“What’s a final?” Iris asks.

“A test.”

“What’s a test?”

What I’m being subjected to right now, I think with a sigh. “Let’s get ready, and we can talk about it in the car, okay?” Helping her wash up and brush her teeth, I say, “Put your uniform on, please.”

Of all the mornings, she chooses this one to slow-walk getting ready. “Why can’t Darius take me?”

“Sweetie, please get your clothes on,” I tell her.

“But I want to ride with Darius.” She pouts.

My left eye feels like it’s about to twitch, and I slap a hand over it. “Please just get ready for me.”

She finally puts her clothes on, and I have to go through three different ponytail attempts before she’s satisfied with the finished look. “Let’s go,” I say, ushering her out of the room.

“Wait, I need to tell Lucky bye.”

“We’re going to be late,” I call, but she’s already taken off.

I walk to the kitchen, where Darius extends the coffee yet again, along with Iris’ lunch box he’s already packed.

“Just stop,” I tell him, exasperated.

“Stop what?” he asks innocently.

Stop acting so fucking perfect, because I should have known it was too good to be true. “Iris, let’s go!” I shout.

She runs into the kitchen; Darius opens his arms, and she practically jumps into them. He picks her up and spins her around.

“Bye, rainbow goddess. Have a good day.” He kisses the top of her head before sitting her down. “Good luck on your exam,” he tells me.

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