Eighty-Six

Adonis

I stood there, my mouth wide open, struggling to process the surreal moment. My eyes were fixed on Iris, and my heart sang.

The woman I loved, my everything, was standing right in front of me, alive and well, yet it felt like a dream I couldn't wake up from.

I hadn't won a jackpot before, nor had I taken any substance that could make me high, but right now, I felt like I'd just taken an overdose.

My knees were weak and shaky, like I had just been through an earthquake. The world started spinning around me, and I swayed on the spot like a drunkard, unable to hold myself upright any longer.

The moon goddess had finally smiled upon me, granting me a second chance at happiness. I rushed to embrace Iris but stopped midway.

My excitement was met with a chilling disinterest. Iris didn't even acknowledge my greeting, let alone return my smile. Instead, her eyes held fear, and her nose scrunched up as if she was seeing a monster.

Fuck me.

My arms, which had been open wide to embrace her