Reject My Alpha President (Iris and Arthur) novel Chapter 127

Chapter 127

Arthur & Iris

Arthur

I watch Iris rush out of the gallery, and something inside of me snaps. The pain on her face, the tears in her eyes- all caused by Selina’s lies. By my weakness in letting this charade continue for too long

No more.

I stride back into the main gallery, looking for Selina. She stands near Iris’s “Red Thread” painting, a champagne flute delicately held between her freshly manicured fingers, laughing with some wealthy patrons.

I cut through the crowd, ignoring the hands that reach out to shake mine, the voices calling my name. My focus narrows to Selina and the smug smile on her face.

“Arthur,” she purrs when she spots me approaching. “Come meet the Richardsons. They’re huge supporters of your administration.”

I don’t acknowledge the couple standing beside her. Instead, I grab Selina’s arm and pull her to the side.

“What did you say to her?” I demand.

Selina blinks innocently. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“To Iris. What did you say to her?”

Her eyes flicker with something, then narrow. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It’s over, Selina.”

“What’s over?” She laughs lightly, as if I’ve told a mediocre joke.

“The engagement. The contract. All of it.”

Her smile falters. “You can’t be serious. Arthur—”

Before she can say another word, I turn away from her, facing the crowd that has gathered around us. Among them, I spot the gallery director and several prominent members of Alpha society. Perfect.

“I’d like to make an announcement,” I say, my voice carrying through the gallery. Conversation dies down as all eyes turn to me. “I want to publicly state that my engagement to Selina is terminated, effective immediately. We are done.”

Gasps ripple through the crowd. Camera phones are raised, know this will be all over social media within minutes, but I don’t care.

“Arthur!” Selina hisses behind me. “You can’t do this!”

I ignore her protest and continue. “I apologize for the public nature of this announcement, but I felt it necessary to set the record straight. Now if you’ll excuse me,” I say, stepping away from Selina, “there’s someone I need to find.”

With that, I push through the crowd, heading for the exit. Behind me, I hear Selina’s furious voice calling my name, but I ignore her. I don’t even look back.

Outside, the evening air hits me like a cold wall. It’s begun to rain, and it pours down in heavy sheets now, soaking through my suit jacket in seconds. I search frantically up and down the street, hoping to catch sight of Iris.

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425 BONUS

Chapter 127

There about half a block away–a woman in a black dress is climbing into a cab. Iris.

“Iris!” I shout, running toward her. “Iris, wait!”

The rain drowns out my voice. I sprint down the sidewalk, dodging pedestrians huddled under umbrellas, my shoes splashing through puddles.

“Iris!”

The cab door closes. The red tail lights illuminate the rain as the vehicle pulls away from the curb.

I reach the spot where the cab had been just moments too late, my lungs burning, rain streaming down my face. The cab merges into traffic, taking Iris away.

“You okay back there, miss?” the cab driver asks, eyeing me in the rearview mirror.

I have to leave. I have to take Miles and get a new apartment, away from Arthur. It can’t just be a distant goal anymore. It needs to be a reality.

By the time the cab pulls up to my–to Arthur’s–place, the rain has slowed to a drizzle. I pay the driver and step out. The apartment is quiet when I enter, just a single lamp illuminating the hallway. Cliff emerges from the kitchen with a mug of tea in his hands.

Chapter 127

I shake my head. “Is Miles asleep?”

“Yes, he went down about an hour ago. Didn’t even make it through his bedtime story.”

Despite everything, that brings a small smile to my face. “Thank you for watching him.”

Cliff studies me for a moment, concern etched in his weathered face. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I will be,” I answer, although I’m not sure I believe it. “You can go home now. I’m just going to check on Miles and then go to bed.”

He nods. “Alright. Oh, by the way, you got mail.” He nods toward the kitchen counter. “Seems official.”

With that, Cliff says goodnight and leaves. I pick up the envelope with a furrowed brow. Turning it over in my hand, I see the return address–it’s from the same law firm I visited before, the elderly lawyer who refused to help me.

Curious, I tear open the envelope and unfold the letter inside.

“After reconsideration of your case and a thorough review of Alpha legal precedent, I must inform you that I was mistaken in my initial assessment. It has come to my attention that Alpha President Arthur had no legal grounds to force you to remain in Ordan against your will, regardless of his status as an Alpha or as the father of your child.”

My hands begin to shake as I continue reading.

“We would be pleased to accept you as a client and represent you in any legal proceedings necessary to assert your independence and establish appropriate custody arrangements for your son.”

The letter goes on, discussing potential meeting times and legal strategies, but I can hardly focus on the words. My mind is racing.

Arthur had no legal grounds. All this time, he had no right to force me to stay in Ordan. He… lied to me.

Again.