Reject My Alpha President (Iris and Arthur) novel Chapter 197

The doorbell rings at precisely eight o’clock. Miles, already dressed and eating cereal at the kitchen table, perks up. “Is that Daddy?”

“Not this time,” I say, checking my appearance in the hallway mirror. I’ve dressed casually today–jeans and a nice blouse–but I still feel nervous. There’s something about Caleb that makes me want to impress him, as if I’m trying to prove I would have been a worthy Willford all along.

I open the door to find Caleb standing there with a large box under one arm and a garment bag slu shoulder. He’s dressed impeccably as usual, and suddenly feel like a slob.

“Good morning,” he says with a smile. “Ready for your first lesson?”

over his

“As I’ll ever be,” I reply, stepping aside to let him in. Miles darts into the entryway while Caleb is standing there, taking everything in. “Miles, buddy, you remember Mr. Caleb, right?”

Caleb’s expression softens at the sight of Miles. “Hello, young man. It’s nice to see you

Miles hides behind my legs but smiles shyly at Caleb, and Caleb returns the smile. It’s a relief to see such a nice interaction after the way Arthur’s parents acted, and gives me more hope that Miles will finally be accepted into the family I know he deserves.

Caleb sets the box down on my coffee table and carefully hangs the garment bag on a hook near the door. “I brought a few things to help with today’s lessons,” he explains, opening the box to reveal fine china teacups, cloth napkins, and an assortment of silverware.

“You’re not messing around,” I mutter.

“Etiquette is the most important thing in high society,” he says. “Let’s begin with the basics.”

For the next hour, Caleb guides Miles and me through proper table manners–Miles, curious, asked to join, and Caleb graciously included him in the lesson. We go over which fork to use for what course. How to hold a fe. The correct way to sip soup from a spoon. How to dab, not wipe, your mouth with a napkin.

Miles, surprisingly, takes to it like a fish to water. He sits up straight, chin lifted, carefully mimicking every movement Caleb demonstrates. I’ve never seen him so focused on anything before.

“Excellent posture, Miles,” Caleb praises, and Miles beams in response.

Something warm unfurls in my chest as I watch them together, Maybe someday, Caleb will be the doting uncle Miles deserves. Maybe Miles will finally have the extended family that loves and accepts him unconditionally. That would fulfill all of my wildest dreams. And it will make lying to Arthur for a few days totally worth it. “Now for you, Iris,” Caleb says, turning his attention my way. “Let’s work on your sitting posture. Shoulders back, spine straight, but relaxed.”

I adjust myself accordingly, balancing a book on my head as he instructs. “Like this?”

“Almost. Chin slightly lower–there, perfect.” Caleb nods approvingly. “You’ve got natural grace. No surprise there–it’s in your blood.”

J bite back a comment about how my “natural grace” didn’t seem to help me at the gala or during that disastrous interview. Instead, I focus on maintaining the posture while practicing the tea–pouring technique he’s showing

1. me.

Chapter 197

+25 BONUS

“You want to appear effortless,” Caleb explains as I carefully tilt the teapot. “Everything should look easy, even though it’s not.”

“That seems to be the theme in high society,” I mutter. “Pretending things are easier than they are.”

Caleb laughs. “You know, you have a better sense of humor than Se-” He quickly stops himself, face reddening. My throat bobs at the mention of Selina, who’s still in a comma in the hospital. This must be hard for Caleb; she’s still the sister he was raised with, even if she’s a bat out of Hell.

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After another hour of practice, we take a break. Miles wanders off to his room to play, leaving Caleb and me alone at the table.

“I know, but…” I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “He’s my mate. It feels wrong to keep something this massive from him.”