Paragon

Chapter 36

"Iris."

Having been inspecting the framed pictures of Viktor and his parents as a child from the mantle, I'm immensely surprised when I hear a hesitant, feminine voice- so familiar. I don't have to turn around to answer.

"Gwyneth."

"I'm really glad to see you here."

"... Are you?"

"Yes..." She chuckles awkwardly. "Will you at least look at me?"

I do so, exhaustedly. I just want to leave this place- after the cemetery, I know I'm just torturing myself staying here. I'm only doing it for Viktor's parents. People who are at present keeping Stellan very occupied at the far end of the room. Lucky him. "What do you want."

"I'm sorry- about Viktor, Iris. Honestly, I know how much it must have hurt. You both were so close."

I twitch with annoyance. "How's Marcus? Enjoying prison?"

"I haven't spoken to Marcus in almost a year and a half."

"Wow, I'm actually surprised. You'd think a person who sabotages a friendship would at least endeavor to stay with you a year."

"You're still pissed, Iris, I get that."

"I'm not pissed, not anymore. I'm just fed up. You crossed me once, and you crossed me good enough to ensure I'd never trust you again."

"I'm trying to be kind. I've tried apologizing, even after you fired me."

"I demoted you, there is a difference. You did the rest."

"You might as well have fired me!"

"I'm not really having the best day, Gwyn. In fact it's pretty fucking terrible and you're just making it worse, to be honest. Seeing you reminds me of Marcus, the man who stabbed my husband. Now, since I have no fucking clue who you are and because I don't trust that you weren't involved, I'm going to say have a nice life."

I swerve around her, shaking my head. These fucking people- why won't they leave us alone? Coming up next to Stellan, I grasp his arm softly. He looks down, smiling softly. His eyes flicker over my features slowly and he turns back to Dawn and Leo. "I'm sorry but we've got to get going."

Dawn hugs me close as Leo takes Stellan's hand firmly. She kisses my cheek, surprising me. "Thank you for what you said about him. Thank you for everything you did for him."

I nod, clearing my throat, pulling back. "Thank you for inviting me. I feel better- more at peace."

"I'm so glad. Please, keep in touch. We'd love to see you both again," she states, grabbing Stellan's hand warmly.

"Of course," I answer, taking Stellan's hand as he leads me towards the door.

...

Resting my hands flat on the desk in my very wide, very spacious office, I glance around the room, calmly. The soft morning light shines bright into the space, illuminating the area I come to for work a mere two days a week.

As I try to push Viktor from my mind, because everything in this room reminds me of him, I grab my coffee, feeling my eyes inching closer together by the second. I had another night of barely any sleep- no ones fault but my own- my own overactive brain.

I'm forcing myself to organize my desk when Olivia walks into the room, the first one in the office.

"What are you doing here so early?" she asks, placing her hands on her wide hips.