Chapter 2

　　Iris's POV

　　"Let me drop you home." Ryder said, still laying lazily on the bed. I hated to admit it but it felt like I could relax there in his arms, just for a little while. But what was I thinking!

　　I'd just slept with my husband's uncle.

　　"I can manage." Was all I muttered before hurrying out the door.

　　I did not stop walking until I reached the roadside. The cold night air tingled my skin, surprisedly helping me clear my head slightly.

　　By the time I got home, exhaustion had completely taken over. I kicked off my heels and collapsed onto my bed without even changing clothes.

　　The line was blurred now. I couldn't tell if I was more horrified by Damian's betrayal or by what I'd done with Ryder afterward. My eyes shut close after struggling for a while, and I slept off.

　　It was the stabbing ache in my head that woke me up. I reached for my phone out of habit, still groaning and cursing myself for ever drinking that much last night.

　　"Damn it! Where the hell did I put it?" Sitting up to look more clearly, I frowned realizing my phone wasn't there.

　　I palmed my face and squeezed my eyes shut. "Oh shit." The realization hit slowly. Last night, I'd rushed out forgetting my phone and purse.

　　Checking the time on the wall clock, I realized I would be late for my scheduled appointment if I did not get my ass up in 10 minutes. Quickly rushing to prepare, it dawned on me that I had been all alone at home again last night.

　　Damien did not come home, despite knowing it was our wedding anniversary.

　　Three years of marriage, seven years of being together...And somehow our anniversary night had ended with him in another man's bed and me in Ryder's arms.

　　A shiver ran through me. I didn't want to think about either of them right now. One had shattered my heart, and the other one only complicated everything.

　　Taking a deep breath, I forced those thoughts aside and focused on the day ahead. Mom was waiting for me, and the last thing she needed was another reason to worry.

　　I got dressed and put on enough makeup to hide the disaster underneath. I would be accompanying my mother to the hospital for a follow-up appointment. Since my dad's death, she had never fully recovered.

　　"Mom, are you feeling okay?"

　　She rolled her eyes. "For the hundredth time, honey, yes."

　　I scoffed with a chuckle. The truth was, I couldn't help it. After losing Dad, the thought of losing her too terrified me.

　　Throughout the examination, I stayed close by, listening carefully to every question the doctor asked. Every pause made my heart tighten. Thankfully, the results were reassuring.

　　The moment we stepped out of the office, relief washed over me. At least one thing in my life wasn't falling apart.

　　No matter how much I was hurting, I couldn't let her see it, so I masked a smile. "See, you're okay. You gotta stop worrying over nothing." I was secretly talking to myself at that moment.

　　We were both walking out when I accidentally bumped into someone. "Oh, sorry..." My words trailed off as I looked up.

　　Ryder??

　　Of course it had to be Ryder. For one ridiculous second, all I could think about was last night, his charming voice, that mesmerizing smile.

　　And now, the way he kept looking at me like he knew exactly what I was thinking. Heat rushed to my cheeks.

　　Ryder stood a few feet away, dressed in a well fitted black suit. There was amusement in those gray eyes of his that I was forced to quickly look away.

　　He cleared his throat. "Iris, I didn't expect to see you here. You know what, let me drop you off. I was just leaving as well. Where are you headed?"

　　Feeling guilty about what I'd done, I did not waste time to reply him. "It's okay, we're good. Mom, let's go."

　　Both Ryder and my mom stopped to stare at me. Realizing I had sounded suspiciously fast, I forced a smile. "Uh, what I mean is... we can always get a taxi." I hoped I'd sounded convincing though now I was seeing it didn't show on their faces.

　　My mother's face was a mask of frown. "Why waste money on a taxi when someone is literally just offering?"

　　I bit my lower lips. Because that someone was Ryder!

　　Then this woman leaned closer to me, having noticed the tension between us. "Who's this by the way?"

　　I breathed out the reply before Ryder could speak. "This is Ryder Lancaster." Then added clearly. "Damien's uncle." My eyes lingered on his for a moment, I was hoping he would get the message and just leave.

　　Ryder smiled faintly, "I didn't think I'd see you so soon." Ryder smiled. "I thought you'd need a little longer to recover after last night."

　　I jumped up, nearly choking. "Ryder!"

　　"What?" He looked innocent. "You left in such a hurry, I was worried."

　　"Worried? What about? Was she sick?" My mom blinked.

　　"Not exactly."

　　"Okay!" Damn it! I had to shut this man up somehow. "Uh, mom? Let's go." I flashed him an angry look as his lips stained with a proud smirk.

　　My mom frowned, looking confused.

　　"He said he'll drop us off. Let's go," I held her hand, leading her outside. "Where did you park your car?" I asked, though did not stop.

　　The moment we got into the car, Ryder smoothly took control of the conversation.

　　He asked about my mom's health, listened attentively to her answers while still concentrating on his driving. By the second traffic light, my mom was deeply laughing already.

　　I sat quietly in the back seat, watching the two of them chat. I hoped at any moment, his big mouth would not open to spew anymore nonsense.

　　Then I heard my mother saying. "At my age, what else do I want?" She sighed dramatically. "Just a grandchild. One healthy grandchild and I'll be satisfied."

　　Rolling my eyes, I called out for her to stop. I already knew where this conversation was heading.

　　She ignored me completely of course. "You and Damian have been married for three years. Three years! Do you know how jealous I get when my friends show me pictures of their grandchildren?"

　　Ryder chuckled. "I can't imagine."

　　"Can you believe my sweet daughter over here, keeps telling me not to rush her. What's that even supposed to mean!"

　　Ryder's smile widened. Then he lifted his eyes to the rearview mirror and met my gaze. "Don't worry, Mrs Eleanor. I'm very certain your grandchild is on its way." His voice was calm, but there was something in his eyes that unsettled me deeply.

　　Suddenly, my face darkened. He'd sounded so certain as he spoke. I was instantly taken back to last night. We had sex together.

　　Raw, unprotected sex! What did that mean for me now?