IRIS: Fallen for him

CHAPTER TWENTY

Finally, Iris returned home, her heels clicking softly against the marble as the heavy doors opened. To her surprise, the maids lined up neatly and bowed, greeting her in unison,

“Welcome home, Madam.”

She remembered Merlida said no maids and here there are Aziel knew what was right but acted clueless Iris kept a calm composure, but inside, a storm of mixed emotions stirred. She noticed immediately that the entire house had been transformed—the furniture was different, the curtains changed, even the paintings on the walls. Everything bore a new, elegant atmosphere. And one thing stood out: Flora wasn’t there anymore.

The maids quickly collected her bags, insisting politely that she didn’t lift a finger. Iris climbed the staircase slowly, her hand brushing the polished banister. When she entered their room, she stopped short. Everything was rearranged—the bed, the wardrobe, even the scent was different, faintly floral and expensive. But Iris remained composed. She neither smiled nor sighed; she was simply calm, as if change no longer had the power to shake her.

Later that afternoon, her phone rang. Grandpa Vincent’s deep, familiar voice came through.

“Iris, come to the Valen old estate. There’s something we must discuss.”

Without hesitation, Iris picked up her car keys and drove over.

At the estate, the massive gates swung open for her. Inside, she was greeted by Theo, who smiled warmly.

“Iris,” he said with a respectful nod. “You look… different. Refined.”

Iris returned his smile. “Thank you, Theo.”

Just then, the old man descended the staircase, his cane tapping gently against the steps. His eyes widened the moment he saw her.

“Iris… is this you?” Grandpa Vincent asked, almost in disbelief.

She gave a small, graceful smile. “Oh, Grandpa, I just wanted a change.”

The old man’s eyes softened with pride. “Yes. Yes, you did well.”

They all sat down in the grand living room. Theo nodded approvingly. “Exquisite, Iris. Truly.”

Grandpa Vincent leaned forward, his gaze serious now.

“Iris, as much as I want you to remain in this family, I cannot stand by and watch you continue to face insult, disrespect, and betrayal. You’ve tolerated far too much from both Aziel and Merlida. I see everything, though I keep silent. But today, I want to give you a choice. I want you to live free, without chains. Aziel must learn his lesson the hard way.”

Iris froze, her breath caught in her chest. “Grandpa… what do you mean?”

Theo quietly placed a sleek folder on the table and slid it toward her. Inside were official documents. Iris’s trembling hands opened them—and her eyes widened.

Grandpa Vincent’s voice carried both weight and warmth as he explained,

“This is my gift to you. Thirty percent of Valen Corp is now under your name. A penthouse at Solis Tower is prepared for you, fully furnished. A brand-new car is yours, and five hundred million has been set aside to help you begin your life afresh. And, effective immediately, you hold a director’s position in Valen Corp. You deserve this, Iris. Not for what you’ve endured, but for who you are.”

Tears welled in her eyes. No one had ever shown her such love and validation. She pressed her palm over her lips, overwhelmed.

“Grandpa… this… this is too much.”

But Vincent reached out, covering her hand with his weathered one.

“No, Iris. It’s too little compared to what you deserve. Remember this—you are always a Valen, my granddaughter. I will not tell you to stay with Aziel, nor will I tell you to leave him. Follow your heart.”

Unable to hold back anymore, Iris broke down, tears streaming freely as she hugged Grandpa Vincent tightly. Her heart was raw, heavy, yet lighter than it had ever been.

“Thank you, Grandpa… thank you for believing in me.”

She signed the documents with trembling hands, her signature marking a new chapter of her life.

Before she left, the old man gently reminded her, “Don’t forget the gala. You are expected to attend—by Aziel’s side or not, the choice is yours.”

Iris wiped her tears, steadied her voice, and promised, “I will be there.”

---

All the while, Iris had time to herself. Imani, with her stubborn little will, had chosen Aziel to stay by her side at the clinic. And so, father and daughter spent the whole day together.

When Imani was finally discharged, Aziel decided to take her out for ice cream.

He fastened her gently into her car seat, his movements slow, deliberate—instinctive. The sun had dipped beneath the horizon, painting the Havasu sky in streaks of gold and lavender. The city hummed with quiet life: families leaving restaurants, laughter spilling from open-air cafés, the occasional honk of traffic drifting down Elm Street. But for Aziel, tonight felt different—softer. This wasn’t a night of business dinners or endless calls. This was a father’s night out.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, he glanced at Imani through the rearview mirror. She sat in her lilac pajamas dotted with tiny stars, curls loosely tied back, her chubby cheeks still flushed from rest. She was completely absorbed in her iPad.

“You and me tonight, angel,” he said softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

He didn’t want crowds. He didn’t want noise. He wanted somewhere peaceful—where Imani could feel warmth, not the cold scrutiny that usually followed him.

So he drove to Moonlit Gardens Café, a rooftop tucked above a family bookstore in the quieter side of Hartwick. It was known for its string lights, potted flowers, and calming view of the city skyline. Perfect for quiet gatherings—or, tonight, for a father and his little girl.

When they arrived, the hostess nearly stumbled over her own words.

“Mr. Valen… we didn’t expect— Please, this way.” Her eyes flicked to the tiny girl in his arms, wide-eyed and curious.

Aziel nodded curtly and followed her. He chose a secluded corner beneath a canopy of fairy lights. The staff, though stunned, respected his need for privacy.

He ordered two bowls of vanilla ice cream—their favorite.

“We have the same taste, Daddy!” Imani declared proudly.

Aziel chuckled, warmth seeping into his voice. For once, he allowed himself to simply be a dad.

They teased each other over who had the bigger spoonful. Imani smeared a dab of cream on her nose and crossed her eyes, making Aziel laugh—deep and unguarded.

At a nearby table, a young couple noticed him. The man discreetly raised his phone and snapped a candid photo: Aziel Valen, the elusive billionaire, sitting in the glow of fairy lights with the little preschool girl who had gone viral weeks ago. The resemblance was undeniable. So she is his daughter, they thought, stunned.

But Aziel neither knew nor cared. All that mattered was the girl across the table, giggling between bites of ice cream.

“She’s perfect,” he murmured under his breath.

A little later, Imani rubbed her eyes and whispered, “Daddy… I want to sleep.”

Aziel immediately opened his arms. She curled into him, resting her head on his chest as though it were the most natural thing in the world. A gentle breeze swept across the rooftop as he leaned back into the cushions, holding her close.

His thoughts wandered to Iris. Was she eating? Resting? At last having a moment to herself? She deserved peace—more than anyone. And he wanted to give her that. Not by being absent, not by controlling her, but by being present.

I will not divorce her, he decided firmly.

He glanced down at the little girl sleeping soundly against him, her tiny hand clutching his shirt. His chest tightened.

“I’ll get it right this time,” he whispered. “I promise.”

—

Back at home, Iris sat at the dining table, twirling Alfredo pasta around her fork in slow, absent motions. The silence of the house pressed in on her. She glanced at the clock—it was nearing 8:30. She took another bite, then picked up her phone and scrolled.

But for the first time in a long while… she believed that maybe—just maybe—Aziel was really trying. And this time, it looked real.

—

Later that night, Aziel strapped Imani back into her car seat. Her tiny hands clutched the edge of the blanket draped over her, already lost to sleep. He paused, standing in the cool evening air as the city lights shimmered in hues of amber and rose behind him.

For a long moment, he just watched her—this little piece of himself—and wondered why his chest felt so heavy and so full all at once.

Because at last, he realized… this was what he could not afford to lose.

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