Love in the line duty

Past connection

As Jeremy pulled into the Freeman estate, he saw Nicole pacing angrily. The moment she spotted him, she rushed toward them, frantically calling for him.

Jeremy ignored her at first and drove Iris inside, determined to focus on his duties. But Nicole's calls grew louder, echoing across the estate.

"Jeremy, let her keep barking. There's nothing she can do," Iris said, not wanting him to leave her side.

"Don't worry, this will just take a minute," he reassured her before stepping outside to confront Nicole.

"Have you lost your mind, Nicole? What the hell do you think you're doing?" he snapped.

"Jeremy, I'm sorry. Please, I need you," Nicole pleaded. "Damien left me. I have no one."

"And what am I supposed to do about that? You left me for him, remember?"

"Jeremy, I never meant to hurt you. Believe it or not, I loved you. But Damien... he lured me with his money. He used me, and now that he's gotten what he wanted, he's throwing me out. I'm just a liability to the Wellingtons now."

"Nicole, you used me too. I gave you everything I had, and you left me for my boss. Damn it, Nicole, I introduced you two!" Jeremy's voice rose with bitterness.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"You're not sorry," Jeremy said coldly. "You're only saying that because you need help. But here's the thing, I'm done with you. So stay away from me and Iris. Got it?"

Nicole wiped away her tears, her expression hardening. "So it's Iris now, huh? And here I thought I was the gold digger. The ambitious one. Guess I was wrong."

"Iris has nothing to do with this," Jeremy shot back. "You made your choice, Nicole. You walked away the moment you thought you found something better. Don’t you dare twist this around on me."

Nicole shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "I made mistakes, Jeremy, I know that. But don’t pretend like Iris isn’t just another stepping stone for you. You’re just using her to get ahead, like I used Damien. Don’t act so righteous."

Jeremy’s fists tightened, but he kept his composure. "This isn’t about ambition. This is about loyalty, something you wouldn’t understand. I was there for you when you had nothing, Nicole, and you threw me aside the second you found something better. Don’t you dare project your greed onto me."

Nicole blinked, taken aback by the finality in his tone. She swallowed hard, desperation creeping into her voice. "So, that's it? After everything we’ve been through, you’re really choosing her over me?"

"It was never a choice," Jeremy replied, his tone soft but firm. "You made sure of that when you left."

Nicole’s lips trembled, and she reached out, her voice breaking. "Jeremy, please. I know I messed up, but I need you now. Don’t walk away from me. I... I still care about you."

"I’m done, Nicole," Jeremy said, stepping back. "You don’t care about me. You just care about what I can do for you now that you have nothing. But I’m not here to save you."

Without waiting for her response, Jeremy turned his back on Nicole, walking toward the house. Her voice called out to him, pleading, but he didn’t stop. He had said his piece, and there was nothing more to say.

As he approached the door, Iris was waiting, leaning against the frame with her arms crossed, watching the entire exchange in silence. Her eyes were unreadable, but there was a faint smirk on her lips.

"You okay?" she asked, her tone soft but with a hint of something knowing.

Jeremy nodded. "Yeah. It’s done."

Iris tilted her head slightly, studying him. "Good. Let's go inside."

She grabbed his hand, pulling him inside with her.

--------

Once they got inside. Iris tossed her purse on the couch and turned to Jeremy. "Let’s have a drink. We need to celebrate."

Jeremy hesitated. "I don’t think it’s a good idea to be drinking with my employer."

Iris smirked. "Relax, Jeremy. You’re off duty. Tonight, we’re just celebrating. Sit with me."

Reluctantly, Jeremy sat, though he refused the drink, he needed to stay alert. Iris, however, had a few, she loosened up as time passed. After a while, she looked at him, her voice softer, more vulnerable than before.

"Earlier, you asked why I care about you?" She took another sip, her eyes locked on his.

Iris smiled faintly, her eyes distant as she recalled the past. "Do you remember volunteering at St. Mary’s Mental Institute some years back?"

Jeremy frowned, how much does this woman know about me. "Yeah... My mum worked there as a cook before she died."

"Do you remember a woman named Meredith?" Iris asked, her voice shaking slightly.

Jeremy froze. The name stirred memories he hadn’t thought about in years.

"She had bipolar disorder. Her family put her in the institute because she was dangerous, even to herself. In her worst moments, she would get very aggressive and violent and everyone including the care giver were scared of her. But there was one person who wasn’t afraid of her. A young boy. He took care of her, calmed her down when no one else could. He fed her, gave her meds, and would read to her until she fell asleep"

Jeremy’s mind reeled, how did she know all these about his past. "How..."

Iris’s eyes filled with tears. "Meredith was my mother."

Jeremy stared at her in shock. "Your mother?"

Iris nodded wiping her eyes, her voice cracking. "My dad took me abroad because I kept sneaking out to see her. He loved her too, but he was afraid she’d hurt me. But when I came back, I insisted on taking care of her myself. I brought her home. My Dad allowed me because they told him she’d gotten better."

Iris smiled through her tears. "She used to tell me about this handsome, kind boy who made her feel safe."

Jeremy swallowed hard, feeling emotions bubble up. "I never knew..."

She smiled sadly. "She always wanted me to meet you, said you were her angel. She believed you could make anyone feel safe."

Jeremy’s throat tightened as memories of Meredith flooded back. "She wanted me to meet you too, she spoke about you all the time, her beautiful little girl.

Iris gave a soft laugh."

"I was drafted to the military, and had to leave, but I promised her I’d come back. When I did, she was gone." Jeremy said softly.

Iris’s voice broke. "A year after I brought her home... She slipped into depression, she slit her wrists, Jeremy. I lost her."

Tears welled up in Jeremy’s eyes as he reached out, taking Iris’s hand in his. Neither of them spoke, their shared grief saying everything that words couldn’t.