Too Late Alpha The Mate He Never Wanted (Iris and Eric) novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Iris’s POV

I stared at the bruised girl in the mirror a moment longer before turning away. I might lose my mind if I stared too long.

I rinsed my face with cold water, Ignoring the pain shooting down my ribs, and made my way back to the bed. My knees wobbled, but I kept moving, I sat down slowly, breathing hard. The pain was still there, sharp and deep, but my body was getting used to it now.

1 picked up the bag 1 had dragged from the dresser last night.

1 opened it carefully, I rummaged through it and found the item I had been searching for.

A small, folded map. It was the map I had swiped from Eric’s office. I didn’t know how accurate it was, but it was all 1 had to get me out of here.

1 couldn’t stay here. I didn’t belong here.

Besides, I had already made the mistake of trusting someone before. I had told myself that with time, Eric would change, and things would be different.

But he didn’t change, and he let our daughter die.

1 wasn’t going to make that mistake again. Not with Rowan or anyone,

I tucked the map into the back pocket of my trousers,

1 would leave now. No matter how much my body was hurting.

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I pulled on a hoodie from my bag. It would help cover me a little. I pulled the hood up over my head, took one last look around the room, and then walked to the door.

I paused for a second, listening, for footsteps or voices. When I heard nothing, I cracked the door open slowly and peeked outside. The hallway was empty,

Perfect.

I stepped out slowly, closing the door behind me with a soft click. I kept my head low as I began to walk.

My limp slowed me a lot, but I pushed through the pain, walking steadily,

I paused as I stared at the staircase before me. My heart sank.

I was on the top floor. I had forgotten that,

The stairs looked so steep, endless and cruel.

My ribs and legs were already throbbing from just walking. What would limping down these stales do?

I swallowed tightly and leaned against the railing.

“One step at a time,” I whispered shakily to myself.

1/3

1 gripped the rail and took the first step down.

Pain shot up my side, sharp and hot, and I hissed through my teeth.

The second step was worse. The third nearly made my knees give out. But I kept going,

By the fifth stair, I had to stop and press my hand against the wall, breathing hard.

You have to keep going, Iris. You don’t belong here.”

I took the sixth step, then the seventh. Then I paused at the small landing halfway down.

I had only made it through the first flight, and already, I was drenched in sweat I was panting heavily and my rision was getting blurry. I gripped the railing tighter, willing myself not to pass out

There was still more.

Another staircase stretched down before me. Just looking at it made my knees weak

I couldn’t stop. If I sat now, I might not get up again.

I lifted my foot and began the second flight. Pain pulsed through me with each shaky movement. The bag felt heavier than a brick My hoodie felt like it was suffocating me.

The sound of footsteps behind me caused me to freeze.

My blood ran cold. I tumed slowly.

Rowan stood behind me with an unreadable expression on his face.

I straightened immediately, trying to look steady, even though my knees were seconds away from giving ouL

“LP’m sorry,” I whispered, breathing heavily.

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