Chapter 3

Iris's POV

I kept my eyes tightly shut, waiting until the pain subsided somewhat before giving a slight nod.

"I'm sorry, I'll be gentler."

After that, his movements became as soft and slow as his voice.

Only his breathing grew increasingly ragged.

After a long while, the pain gradually faded, and my tense body relaxed, beginning to respond to his movements.

He keenly sensed the change in my body, and his movements began to grow larger and faster.

That inexplicable desire within me finally found an outlet.

I don't know how much time passed, but with a tremor that ran through his body, I felt a kind of pleasure I had never experienced before.

He collapsed onto me like he'd just fought an intense battle, and I could feel a thin layer of sweat on his chest.

Afterward, I felt a burning pain somewhere below, and combined with exhaustion and shame, I didn't know how to face this stranger, so I just lay there motionless with my eyes closed.

Seeing that I wasn't moving, he rolled over and pulled me close to rest for a while, then carried me to the bathroom to clean up.

When we returned to bed, I had meant to pretend to sleep, but quickly fell into genuine slumber.

When I woke again, the sky was already growing light.

Seeing an extraordinarily handsome man lying beside me, I felt momentarily disoriented.

But my mind quickly recalled the wanton, pleasurable scenes from last night.

I quietly got up, dressed, pulled a card from my bag and placed it on the nightstand, then slipped out of the room.

---

After leaving the hotel, I first went to buy a blood test kit for viral screening.

This was the consequence of being seduced by beauty. Sleeping with a good-looking man was fine, but not knowing his health status meant post-exposure prevention was still necessary.

Finding a secluded corner, I pricked my fingertip with the lancet and let blood drip into the test kit.

While waiting for the results, I took out my phone and found many missed calls and messages.

Remembering that I'd arranged to meet Amelia last night but left without waiting for her, I quickly called her back.

"I'm so sorry, Iris! I was busy working overtime last night and didn't see your message. Where are you now? I've been trying to reach you all night—I was so worried!"

Amelia's anxious voice came through the phone.

"I'm fine. When you have time, let's have dinner together. There's something I want to discuss with you."

"Okay, let's have dinner tonight."

After hanging up, I saw that the test results had come out. All clear.

I took a cab straight home.

As soon as I entered, Dad and Camilla were sitting around the dining table having breakfast.

The moment I stepped through the door, Dad launched into a tirade:

"Where were you last night? A girl staying out all night—what does that look like!"

Before I could speak, Camilla jumped in: "Honey, even if Iris did something wrong, you shouldn't be so harsh with her. She must have had a reason for staying out."

Camilla's words seemed to defend me, but actually fanned the flames, making Dad even more displeased with me.

I scoffed at her: "You hypocritical woman, spare me your false concern—it's quite nauseating!"

Camilla was rendered speechless by my words.

Serena spoke up with a face full of grievance: "Iris, how can you talk to Mom like that?"

"Serena, please get one thing straight—she's your mother. I have my own mother," I shot back without mercy.

Julian sat at the table calmly enjoying his breakfast, seemingly unconcerned with our argument and showing no intention of joining in.

Dad trembled with anger and slammed his knife and fork on the table: "Iris, don't think that just because I dote on you, I won't do anything to you!"

"Mr. Richard, after that slap last night, I understood something—you'll do anything for your own interests, including sacrificing my marriage!"

I finished speaking and turned to go upstairs to my room, casually shutting the door to block out those people who made me angry and sad.

Some things had happened last night and I hadn't slept well, so I pulled the covers over my head and caught up on sleep.

I don't know how long I slept, but suddenly I heard my phone's message notification.

I fumbled for my phone and opened it to see a photo that made me jump out of bed in shock.

I quickly replied: "Who is this?"

Soon came the response: "Leaving without a word—were you dissatisfied with last night's service?"

So it was him.

"We've already settled accounts. Why did you secretly take photos?"

I nervously sent another message.

In the photo, I was curled up sleeping sweetly in a man's arms. Although his tousled hair covered half his face, you could still tell he was very handsome.

I didn't regret what happened last night, but what was his purpose in secretly taking photos?

After waiting a while without receiving a reply, I instead got a call from Damian asking me to dinner tonight.

I declined, because I had already arranged to have dinner with my best friend Amelia.

It was already past noon. I hadn't eaten since morning and was very hungry, so I went downstairs to get something to eat.

Downstairs was quiet, with only Dad in the sitting room.

Dad sat on the sofa, his expression looking much calmer than in the morning.

"Camilla took Serena out," he suddenly said.

I nodded expressionlessly: "Oh."

Actually, I felt much more comfortable. To me, they were outsiders.

I cut two slices of bread, toasted them in the bread machine, spread them with blueberry jam, grabbed a carton of milk, and sat at the dining table to eat.

"Iris, you're not young anymore. The eldest son of the Harrington family, Damian—didn't you like him before you went abroad to study? I've already talked with his father. The engagement party is next month."

I froze.

"Engagement next month?"

"The Harrington family is a good match for us, beneficial to both families."

"But I don't like him anymore, Dad. You should know very well why I went abroad to study in the first place."

"That's not important." Father looked into my eyes, enunciating each word: "What's important is that you're the daughter of the Blackwood family. Spend more time with Damian."

I suddenly lost my appetite again, dropped the bread slice, changed my clothes and went out.

Behind the bar was still the same bartender from last night.

I ordered another Shattered Pearl from him and sat listlessly in the sparsely populated bar waiting for Amelia.

As soon as it grew dark, Amelia arrived breathlessly.

She hurried forward and embraced me warmly: "Darling, how long have you been back? Why did you only just think of me?"

I peeled her off me and forced a smile: "I've been back a little over a week. There were things at home and I didn't have time—"

"Iris, who did this?!"

She discovered the handprint on my face that even foundation couldn't cover, both heartbroken and furious.

Seeing my glass, she turned to the bartender: "Leo, please bring her a glass of warm water. I'll have a Mist."

Amelia was my best friend. Even though we hadn't seen each other for two years while I was abroad, we could still talk about anything.

In front of her, I no longer pretended to be strong and told her everything that had happened at home.

"How awful! I had no idea so much had happened in your family. You must be so upset. But I have to warn you—Damian is not suitable husband material."

Looking at her sincere eyes, I nodded: "I know. I'll find a way to get out of this arranged marriage."

Amelia gently consoled me: "If you don't want to see Camilla and them, why not move to your aunt's place for now?"

I shook my head, my tone suddenly turning stubborn: "I won't marry him, and I won't move out either. I'm going to take back everything that belongs to me and Mom. I can't let Dad and that woman succeed."

"Good, I fully support you," Amelia said, then suddenly pointed to a booth in the distance and asked, "Isn't that Damian? Is that girl next to him his new plaything?"