Choice or not

In Italy, Iris was walking in the hospital corridors to stretch her legs. She was feeling cramped and suffocated in that room. As the sun descended, Tasha left with a promise to visit tomorrow. Catherine went to speak to the doctor about her recovery. Iris had nothing to talk about with her mother, who seemed to be at a loss, too. Catherine is guilty, and she is trying to make Iris happy. But in vain. Iris's heart is in turmoil. Just as she was passing by a room 5 doors from hers, she caught a glimpse of Xavier. He is in bad shape with bandages around his head, his left arm wrist is in a cast, and she could see a glimpse of his right leg, which seems to be wrapped in bandages too. Her eyes welled with unshed tears, and her heart ached with pain. His eyes are closed, and he is alone. She placed her palm on the small glass partition on the door. She might not remember many things about their past. But she remembered how he threw his own life on the line for her. If she had crashed in

No push over

"Iris, come, let's eat dinner," Adil invited her. Iris didn't move. "I already had my dinner," she lied. She didn't. She was not hungry. Adil looked taken aback. His otherwise gentle and handsome features twisted for a split second before he could compose himself again. "Is it? Why don't you sit and eat a little? I brought all of this for you," he said with a hint of displeasure. He is trying to guilt-trip her. Forcing her to do things that he likes. He doesn't care if she wants to eat or not. "You brought all of this for me? But I don't remember you asking me what I wanted to eat. You didn't even bother to inform me about your plans. You didn't ask me if I am in the mood for company or dinner with you," she pointed out. He looked taken aback by her response. She was not the type to make a fuss. She is easy to get along with and doesn't mind adjusting a little bit to avoid making things difficult or awkward. But this is not like any other time. If she allowed him to push her

An engagement

Iris was discharged from the hospital. Adam, Catherine, and even Benjamin arrived to take her back home. Catherine was fussing over her, while Adam was there, watching, waiting, for what, Iris doesn't know and doesn't have the energy to find out. Benjamin, on the other hand, is a whole different story. He had been bad-mouthing Xavier since the moment he arrived. "He is an opportunistic ba*tard and a murderer. He is not trustworthy. He killed a guy and was said to have abused his grandfather. The Knights are a violent lot, and their business is failing. They will go bankrupt sooner or later. Xavier had affairs with so many women that he was seen carrying a woman in his arms a week ago. He also took another woman on a private cruise the next day. He is a womanizer. Adil is not like that. He is a good guy...." After some time, Iris stopped listening to him. She plugged in her earphones and pretended to listen to music. The car drive home was tense. After reaching home, Iris was rea

Come

"Come with us," one of the men who looked like a foreigner snapped at Iris. But she didn't move. She just stood there, dazed. "Ahh.." Naomi's panicked scream came a second later. "Shut up, I will shoot you if you scream again," one of them snapped at Naomi. Iris's heart is pounding with fear. She is wondering what she did to deserve this misfortune. "If you want money, I will give you. Let me go," she tried to bargain with them. But one of them stabbed his gun near her temple. "Move," he snapped while the other man grabbed her by her forearm and started dragging her towards the black vehicle, which was parked not too far away. "Brother, save her. They are." Iris vaguely heard Naomi's panicked words. Her heart is pounding too loudly, so she didn't hear the rest. "Do you want me dead? They have guns," Adil's reply came a moment later. Iris felt her eyes sting with unshed tears. The perfect man her father chose for her. He didn't hesitate to abandon her when her life was on th

Past?

In the Stark residence, Iris didn't bother to greet anyone in the house. Catherine, Benjamin, and even Adam stood there, waiting for her. But she didn't spare them a glance. She walked straight into her room. She doesn't want to be rude to anyone. Especially not her parents. But the fact that they decided her happiness with a man who feels that a wife should always compromise on everything to the point of what she would want to wear. Her impending marriage is making her feel suffocated right before it starts. 'What if I don't get engaged to Adil tomorrow? Will Dad be able to cancel their agreement without losing the shares?' she wondered. Xavier's face flashed in her mind. The unmasked pain in his gaze when he heard about her engagement is still making her feel guilty. 'You are a good man. Too good to be true' she thought, thinking about what kind of relationship she might have had with him. That's when a knock sounded on the door. "Iris, can I come in?" Adam's voice rang fro

Celebrate?

The next evening, Iris is seen standing beside Adil, who was chatting away with someone Iris doesn't recognize. He didn't bother to introduce her; she didn't bother to ask. She is wearing the silver dress she liked, and Adil is wearing a blue tux. He barely acknowledged her since she arrived. If not for Mr. Morgan, she would not be willing to stand by Adil's side like a prop. Adil and the entire Morgan family look happy. Benjamin and Catherine kept glancing at Iris. They both look guilty. Naomi is flirting with Adam, while Tasha is yet to arrive. "Adil Morgan, long time no see," a man in his late twenties greeted Adil with a huge grin. He looked like an Italian with a French beard. Adil smiled brightly. "Neil, how have you been?" Adil shook hands with his friend. "I am great. Finally, you are getting hitched. Will you not introduce your fiancée?" Neil looked at Iris with interest. "Of course, this is Iris Stark, my fiancée." Adil wrapped his arm around her waist, as if he were