Paragon

Chapter 30

I turn in place on the bed as Olivia enters, along with David and Vivienne. Stellan looks over to me, having already been told they were here by me earlier. I don't cut in- knowing they're here to speak to Stellan.

Olivia walks up to the other side of the bed, grasping Stellan's hand. "I'm so happy you're alright."

"Thanks, Oli."

"Do you feel alright?" David asks, hands in his pockets. "I mean, I'm sure you don't feel well but considering, how do you feel?"

I resist laughing. I haven't had a chance to speak to David but he's obviously uncomfortable. Stellan, kind as ever, nods.

"I'm feeling well, considering," he murmurs, amusingly. "Thank you for coming."

Dari speaks up this time. "Of course. We were- worried. Plus, we also knew Iris would be having a hard time without you."

"Was she?"

I roll my eyes, not knowing why he's so amused.

Olivia chuckles, nodding. "I can easily say your wife has been a mess... so take it easy on her."

"You don't even know what he did to me when he woke up," I mutter, moving a strand of hair back from his eyes fondly. "He acted as if he didn't remember me."

"Aw, that's wrong," Olivia gasps, shaking her head.

"Yeah, I realized how fucked up it was right after she started crying."

"Well, at least I'm glad you realized it," I murmur sarcastically.

"Stellan, we'd really like to apologize to you... and to Iris, if you'll let us."

Olivia is suddenly an audience and thankfully, she's smart enough to realize it. "I'm going to go get some coffee."

I prepare myself for bullshit. Some bullshit excuse Vivienne is making them say... something to make her look good. 

David grabs the chair at the end of the room and brings it over to the side of the bed, taking a seat.

"What we said to you, Stellan, was unbelievably wrong. Both of you had every right to leave- I don't blame you for doing so. We were worried by the fact you had married so quick and as Iris is rather well known in this world, it's hard to wrap around the fact that-"

"That I'm not rich?"

"No, that you were homeless when she met you."

"What right do you have to judge the way we met?" I growl, angry by his choice of words.

"We don't. That's what I'm trying to explain..."

Vivienne speaks up, stepping to the end of the bed. "This was my fault entirely. I put notions and false worries into the air and that is the reason we wanted to find out your intentions."

"And what makes you so sure now that I'm not using her?" Stellan asks softly.

He's giving them the perfect chance to lie and I wait for them to take it. However, they pause and it's clear on their faces. They aren't sure. They still aren't sure. I don't even feel anger- I just feel like they've wasted our time.

"I believe you both found each other because it was fate. I've never seen two people more connected and that's enough to trust him- for me. I just want you to be happy, Iris," Dari murmurs, beside me. I stare at her, finally hearing the words I've been waiting to hear from one of them. It hurts that it wasn't from my own mother but at this point, I feel like I've finally made up my mind about her. However, I look over at Stellan to let him speak, wanting him to be able to address them.