The billionaire's sweet editor
Chapter 120: Iris: A new dawn

Chapter 120: Iris: A new dawn

I blink awake, the soft light filtering through the curtains and warming my face. For a moment, I’m disoriented, unsure of where I am. Then reality begins to settle in around me, and I realize I’m nestled in the crook of Lucas’s arm.

He’s still fast asleep, his chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. I take a moment to admire his handsome features, my gaze roaming over the contours of his face.

His dark hair is messy, sticking up in every direction, like a Pomeranian puppy whose fur hasn’t been trimmed in a long time, and his eyelashes are long and thick like he puts on mascara—one of the reasons why I love his face more than anything—those damned eyelashes, they frame his closed eyes, a small feature that accentuates his handsomeness.

His nose is straight, upright even, making him seem like an intimidating prince, and his lips are slightly parted, looking soft and inviting. And I mean the kind of inviting where I want to kiss him away and let him fuck me into oblivion until I can’t think of anything else other than our naked bodies sticking together. I feel a flutter in my chest as I take in the sight of him, my heart swelling with affection.

As I gaze at him, I’m hit with the familiar scent of his cologne—a spicy, masculine aroma that I love. It’s a scent that’s uniquely his, and it always makes me feel drawn to him, especially when it mixes with the lavender in his office. I breathe in deeply, letting the scent fill my senses.

I continue to study Lucas’s face, taking in the tiny details that make him who he is. The small line above his left eyebrow, the way his hair curls slightly at the nape of his neck, the gentle curve of his lips. It’s moments like these that I feel grateful to be able to see him in his most vulnerable state, to be able to witness his beauty and his humanity.

As I lie there, taking in the sight of Lucas, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe, but it’s a mix of contentment, happiness, and love. I feel grateful to be here with him, to be able to share in these quiet moments together.

I reach out a hand, gently brushing a strand of hair out of his face. He stirs slightly but doesn’t wake up. I smile, feeling a sense of tenderness towards him. I’m glad I get to be here with him, to be able to care for him and love him. His warmth envelops me like a protective cocoon, and I feel a rush of comfort mixed with the weight of the night before.

Memories flood back—the fight, the tears, the chaos that drove me to run. A wave of guilt washes over me as I remember how I shut him out, how I was so wrapped up in my turmoil that I didn’t take the time to listen to his side.

I shift slightly, trying not to wake him, but the movement stirs him. His eyes flutter open, and when he sees me, a soft smile spreads across his face. "Hey, you’re awake," he says, his voice still thick with sleep.

Heavenly. He sounds exactly like what I’d imagine an angel sounds when they wake up from sleep—if they even sleep that is.

"Morning," I reply, my heart racing as I recall how vulnerable I was the night before. Was I embarrassing? Does he think I’m playing with his emotions now, it sure as hell seems like I am, playing light switch with him at my convince.

He brushes a strand of hair away from my face, his touch gentle. "How are you feeling?"

I hesitate, my stomach twisting with guilt. "I feel... guilty," I admit softly. "I didn’t listen to you during our fight. I was so caught up in my own feelings that I didn’t consider your perspective."

His expression softens, and he shifts slightly to look at me more directly, the drowsiness in his eyes fading at the moment. Another wave of guilt hits me when I realize that I chose the wrong timing for this, but like always, he surprises me. "Iris, it’s okay. Emotions were running high. We were both overwhelmed."

What did I do to deserve some so understanding like this? I know he means what he said, but I don’t want him to take the blame for this fight we had. It was mostly my fault. I didn’t let him explain.

"No, it’s not okay," I say, my voice trembling. "I should have communicated better. You were trying to reach out, and I pushed you away."

Lucas takes a deep breath, his gaze steady. "I understand why you felt the way you did. It’s a lot to process, and I wasn’t handling it perfectly either."

I bite my lip, feeling the weight of unresolved tension between us. "But I want to work through this. I don’t want to let my past define our relationship."

He nods, and I can see the understanding in his eyes. "I want that too. But it’s important that we both feel heard. Let’s talk about what happened."

Taking a deep breath, I gather my thoughts. "I guess I was scared to find out the truth. I was so scared that I didn’t realize the truth was in front of me this whole time," I glance at him, making sure he knows exactly what I mean. I know he loves me and that he’d never cheat on me. "Bella called me and when I finally gave her a chance to explain herself, I realized how unfair I had been to the both of you."

I was about to leave and come over to your house to apologize yesterday, then my parents showed up and it felt like everything I fought against was coming back. I thought I could handle it, but then I felt trapped and overwhelmed."

Lucas listens intently, his expression encouraging. "That makes sense. It’s okay to feel scared. It’s a big deal."

"I just didn’t want to burden you with my fears," I admit, guilt still gnawing at me. "I thought I could handle it on my own, but I realize now that I shouldn’t have shut you out."

"Iris, you’re not a burden," he reassures me, his voice firm yet gentle. "You don’t have to face everything alone. I want to be here for you, through the good and the bad."

"I know that now," I say, feeling a mix of relief and sadness. "I just wish I hadn’t reacted the way I did. You deserve better."

He smiles softly, and I feel the tension begin to ease. "We’re all human, Iris. We make mistakes. What matters is that we learn from them and grow together."

I nod, feeling a glimmer of hope. "I want to work through this, Lucas. I want to understand how you felt during the fight."

He takes a moment, collecting his thoughts. "Honestly, I felt confused and frustrated. I wanted to support you, but I didn’t know how to get through to you when you were so shut off. It hurt to see you in pain and feel like I couldn’t help."

"I’m so sorry for that," I say, my voice thick with emotion. "I didn’t mean to push you away. I was just scared of everything that was happening."

"I get that," he replies, his tone encouraging. "But you don’t have to be afraid to reach out to me. I want you to feel safe with me."

His words wrap around me like a warm blanket, and I feel a weight lift off my shoulders. "I want that too. I want to feel safe and supported, especially during times like this."

"Then let’s promise to communicate," he says, his eyes locking onto mine. "No matter how hard it gets, let’s talk it out instead of running away."

"I promise," I reply, feeling a sense of determination settle in. "I’ll do my best to be open and honest with you."

"And I’ll do the same," he says, his smile widening. "We’re a team, remember?"

I nod, feeling the warmth of our connection rekindle. Despite the challenges we face, I know we can overcome them together.

As we sit here, wrapped in each other’s arms, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. I’m grateful for Lucas’s patience and understanding, grateful that he’s willing to stand by me as I face my fears.

"Thank you for being here," I say softly, my heart swelling with gratitude. "I don’t know what I’d do without you."

"You’ll never have to find out," he replies, his voice filled with sincerity. "I’m not going anywhere."

With that, I lean in and press my forehead against his, feeling a sense of calm settle over us. At this moment, I know that while the road ahead might be difficult, we have each other to lean on. Together, we will face whatever shadows emerge from my past, and together, we will find the light.