Too Late Alpha The Mate He Never Wanted (Iris and Eric) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Eric’s POV

Guilt gripped me as realization dawned on me. Today was Evie’s birthday.

I had completely forgotten.

A curse slipped under my breath as I rubbed a hand over my face. Iris had always been the one to remind me. She would text me days before, give me a rundown of what Evie liked that year, and make sure I sent something decent.

On her birthdays, I normally sent an omega to drop off a gift. Nothing fancy, but enough to check the box and clear my

conscience.

But this year, there had been no call, no reminder, no text from Evie. Nothing at all.

The silence bothered me more than I wanted to admit, because Iris never forgot to send a reminder for Evie’s birthday. Even when things between us were terrible, she always sent a reminder. Was it why the patrol guards were calling?

I ran a hand through my hair, clenching my jaw.

Thankfully I remembered it early, so I could kill two birds with one stone. I would use this opportunity to check on them as I dropped off a present for Evie.

Especially as I didn’t really keep up my own end of the deal. If I stopped by today, maybe I could use it as a chance to get Iris to finally sign the divorce papers without dragging things out or starting another scene.

I headed back into the house.

Zara was in the kitchen, and Tiffany was on the couch, playing her game..

“I need to step out,” I said, grabbing my jacket from the wall hook.

Zara glanced up from the sink. “Where are you going?”

“I just need to drop something off. It’s Evie’s birthday,” I added casually, “I promised them that I would stop by.”

An unreadable expression crossed Zara’s face. “You’re going to see her?”

“It’s just a visit,” I said, already putting on my jacket. “I’ll drop off the gifts and leave.”

“Eric,” she said quickly. “Why do you need to go? You can send someone, like before.”

Tiffany turned around too. “Are you leaving, daddy?”

I froze at the small innocent voice. My heart melted.

Zara walked forward, wiping her hands on a towel. “She’s been recovering from her injuries these past few days. She needs you by her side, or she would feel abandoned and neglected.”

I looked between them. Tiffany’s eyes were welling up with tears. Zara stepped closer.

“I just want to drop something off,” I said softly, gently. “That’s all. I won’t stay long.”

Zara’s voice cracked, trembling. “Every time you go back there, you always come back angry, always talking about how she’s always trying to manipulate you, and we don’t like seeing you like that.”

She stepped closer again with soft eyes. “Just avoid going there, Eric. Don’t let her mess with your head again.”

I blinked. For some reason, I wasn’t as moved as I normally would have been. Maybe I was too distracted.

Iris hadn’t reached out. She always did, even if it was just to remind me to pretend to be a father. But this time? Silence. That

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Chapter 14

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silence was eating at me, and no matter how much Zara and Tiffany tried to pull me back, I couldn’t shake it off.

What if it was just a ploy by Iris to get my attention? I shook my head. No, something felt wrong, and I wouldn’t be able to rest if

I didn’t confirm.

I took a deep breath and knelt in front of Tiffany, brushing her hair gently from her face. “Hey,” I said softly. “I’m not going for long, okay? I’ll be back before you know it. I’ll even bring you some strawberry ice cream.”

Her bottom lip trembled, but she nodded slowly.

Then I looked at Zara. “I promise, I will be back soon. I just want to wrap up this divorce thing. That’s all.”

Zara didn’t look convinced, but she gave me a small nod. “Just… don’t let her get to you.”

“I won’t,” I said.

She leaned forward, tilting her head toward me for a kiss.

I took a step back.

“Zara…” I said softly. “No, until the divorce is over. I’ve told you that. There will be time for that then.”

Her face fell, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile. “Right. I understand.”

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