Chapter 12
December 9, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Iris finally breaks the silence, “What the hell is going on?”
Nico grins just the slightest bit, “Maybe the old man and your mom finally hit it off.”
Iris playfully smacks Nico’s shoulder. “Don’t say that. The old man is a fucking creep.”
Nico's face hardens when she says, “Don’t remind me about that, I’m not over that yet.”
Iris stops smirking, and she looks like she wants to cry again.
Nico looks at her and frowns, “Why do you look like you're about to cry again?”
Tears stream down Iris’ face, “Because I am about to cry.”
Nico pulls Iris to his chest, “Baby, why?”
“Because I feel bad about making you mad just because the old man was trying to hit on me.” Iris says, crying.
“It’s not your fault that someone who you can’t control was hitting on you.” Nico says, trying to explain that this isn’t Iris’ fault.
“Yes, it is my fault.” Iris says, still balling her eyes out.
Nico puts his finger on her chin to lift her face up so he can look at her and she can look at him. “Listen sweetheart, being mad is not your fault, it is my fault because I have anger issues I can’t control, and someone touching, or even thinking about touching what’s mine makes me even more mad. So don’t you dare blame yourself or even think about blaming yourself.”
Iris slowly stops crying and looks into his cold blue eyes. “Okay, I promise I won’t blame myself as long as you don’t blame yourself.”
Nico looks at her emerald green eyes as well. “Okay, I won’t blame myself. Who are we going to blame, then?”
Iris looks at him, a lot more playful now. “The old man of course, who else are we going to blame?”
Nico smirks and it is the smirk that is reserved for Iris and her only. “I guess you’re right.”
Iris grins slightly, “You guess?”
