I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the door as Darwin’s voice echoed through the room.
"Iris, talk to me. Let's talk this out—"
I pulled the comforter over my head, my nails digging into the fabric. My heart pounded in my chest. Maybe… maybe he had come to apologize. Maybe he had finally seen the truth. After all, I had told him to check the CCTV. That should have been enough to prove I never laid a hand on Lillia.
I sat up, my breath catching in my throat as I waited for his next words.
But what he said next made my stomach twist.
"Iris, I don’t know what’s going on in your mind right now, but I already told you that what happened back then was just a mistake. So why must you hurt the child, huh?"
My body went cold. "W-What? You still don't believe me after I told you to check the CCTV?"
Darwin let out a frustrated sigh. "I did. And what I saw… I just don’t understand. The footage shows Lillia entering the library, and then you follow. After you leave, she comes out with bruises and tears. It all happens for weeks now. And then the kitchen—maybe I could overlook that one incident, but the rest, Iris… it all points to the truth she’s been saying."
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. No. This wasn’t real. This wasn’t happening. But Darwin's face was set in stone, his eyes heavy with disappointment.
"You really think I would do something like that?" My voice was barely above a whisper. "You think I’m some kind of monster?"
He didn’t answer. And in that silence, my heart shattered.
I wanted to scream, to shake him, to make him see that Lillia was playing with him. But I could see it now—no matter what I said, he had already made up his mind.
So I laughed. A bitter, broken laugh. "You're a fool, Darwin. A goddamn fool."
His jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "And you… you've become someone I don’t even recognize."
He turned and left, slamming the door behind him.
Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn't give him—or her—the satisfaction of breaking me.
---
The next morning, Darwin came to me, his expression softer than last night, his hesitation palpable. "Iris... about last night. I—"
He sighed, placing his black card on the bedside table. "Take this. Go out, unwind. Do something for yourself."
I looked at the card, then at him, my heart clenched tight. Was this an apology? Guilt flickered in his eyes, but before I could grasp it, he shattered the moment.
"Take Lillia with you. Apologize to her, and try to get along."
I scoffed, a bitter laugh slipping past my lips. "Get along? After what you accused me of? You think throwing money at me will make me play nice with her?"
Darwin pinched the bridge of his nose. "Iris, I just want things to work. I don’t want to keep fighting."
Lillia, standing behind him, clutched her hands together, her voice small. "I understand if you don’t want to, Mom... I don’t want to force you."
Mom. That single word, spoken so delicately, tightened the noose around my neck. She knew exactly what she was doing, making Darwin look at me like I was the cruel one.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "No. If you want to believe I mistreat her, believe it. But I won’t apologize for something I didn’t do."
Darwin exhaled heavily, rubbing a hand down his face. "Iris—"
I snatched the card and walked past him, my chest burning with unspoken words. Let him feel guilty. Let him stew in it.
---
I met my friends at the mall, needing an escape. Maxine, my best friend, listened intently as I told her everything. Her sharp eyes darkened with understanding.
"That girl is dangerous," she murmured. "You need to be careful."
The others arrived soon after, and I didn’t feel comfortable talking anymore. I knew how easy it was for rumors to spread, and I wouldn’t risk the family business because of Lillia’s games.
And then I saw her.
Lillia with my brother.
They strolled past the storefronts, Elias laughing as if nothing in the world could touch them. Lillia’s gaze caught mine, and her eyes widened in mock surprise, a perfect picture of innocence.
“What the hell are you two doing together?” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.
Elias raised an eyebrow. “What’s your problem? I bumped into Lillia, and we’ve just been hanging out. Chill.”
“Yeah,” Lillia added softly, her lips quivering just enough to suggest vulnerability. “Dad told me to unwind, and I ran into Elias. I didn’t mean to intrude.”
My friends glanced between us, uncomfortable with my outburst. One of them tried to lighten the mood. “Iris, you know your brother even he's playboy he knows his boundaries. Relax.”
Elias isn't my concern, I'm more concern at what this little bitch is planning again.
Lillia lowered her gaze, the perfect picture of a wounded angel. “I’m sorry if I upset you, Mom. I just... I thought it would be nice to get to know your brother. Family’s important, right?”
My jaw clenched. The way she said “Mom” twisted the knife deeper. Every time she used that word, it was like staking her claim over something precious to me.
“Go home,” I bit out. The command was sharp, brutal.
My friends recoiled. “Iris, you’re overreacting.”
Another of them patted Lillia’s shoulder. “Don't be like that, Iris. Here, have a seat.”
“Take another seat,” Maxine interjected, her disdain evident as she pushed her chair back.
The others chuckled awkwardly. “Max is just grumpy. Sit here, Lillia. Don’t mind her.”
Lillia slid into the offered seat, her shoulders drawn inward, her eyes glassy like she was holding back tears. It was such an act—perfectly curated to paint me as the villain.
She played the role so well that by the time we left the café, my friends were singing her praises. I forced a smile as they departed, but my nails dug into my palms so hard I drew blood.
Maxine remained at my side, her gaze burning with intensity as she muttered. “You’re right about her. And if I were you, take her away from your life immediately.”
Before I could answer, Elias approached, arms folded. “By the way, Iris, you should visit Mom soon. She’s been asking about you.”
I sighed, rubbing my temple. “Fine. I’ll go.”
“Can I come too, Mom?” Lillia asked sweetly, her voice a little too hopeful. “I want to meet Grandma.”
I opened my mouth to refuse, but Elias cut in, his tone dismissive. “That’s a great idea. It’s time she meets the family.”
“No.” My voice came out sharper than I intended. “You’re not coming.”
Lillia’s lower lip trembled, her shoulders slumping. “It’s okay. I understand.”
Elias scowled. “Why are you being so cruel? If you don’t want to take her, then I will. I’ll introduce her as my friend.”
He grabbed Lillia’s wrist and stormed off, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding with rage and frustration. She’d turned him against me, too. I click my tounge angrily and follow them.
