Reject My Alpha President (Iris and Arthur) novel Chapter 81

Miles is hanging onto the branch with both hands, his little legs dangling in the air.

“Hang on!” Arthur says, slowly pulling the branch up. Once he’s not leaning precariously anymore, I grab the branch too, helping him haul Miles up. It’s slow and painstaking, inch by agonizing inch, but finally, Miles is close enough to touch.

Arthur reaches over and grabs Miles by one arin, hauling him the rest of the way over the wall. And together, the three of us fall to the ground, Arthur and I collapsing to our knees with Miles‘ crying form sandwiched between us. I cup Miles‘ head to my chest, rocking him, my sobs lost amongst the rain. Arthur’s face is pale, but his green eyes are bright, and his arms are warm and sturdy as they wrap around both of us.

I’m not sure how long we stay there like that, holding each other. All I know is that soon, flashlights illuminate the surrounding area as the police and Ezra arrive. Arthur holds Miles tightly as he rises, helping me to my feet as well.

But just as we’re about to leave, Miles points to a nearby park trash can. “Wait! We can’t leave the kitty!” he says.

Arthur and I frown, turning toward the trash can. If I strain, I can hear what does indeed sound like the tiny mews of a kitten echoing inside.

Without a word, Arthur strides over and reaches into the trash can, pulling out a small, soaking wet orange tabby kitten. He holds it up by the scruff of its neck for a moment, and all of us—the police and Ezra included—stare, dumbfounded.

Miles grins, holding his hands out. “Can I keep it?” he asks, looking at me inquisitively. “Please!”

Once we’re alone, I turn to Arthur. My throat works uselessly for a moment as I try to come up with something to say. Finally, I manage, “Thank you. For your help. If you hadn’t been there, I might have jumped in during my panic and both of us would have drowned.”

Arthur glances up at me, and there’s a tiredness in his eyes that softens me in ways I can’t begin to describe. “I’m a father,” he simply says, turning to leave. “It’s my job.”

I watch him go, touched more deeply by his actions and words than I’ve ever felt. And for the first time, I can’t help but begin to wonder what our future could look like if let Arthur be the father he was so clearly meant to be –if I remained in Ordan after all.

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