LOGINDid Damien say punishment? Poor Rhea… I volunteer as tribute! Thank you so much for reading this far! Updates might be a bit slower for the next few weeks (finals are coming for me—wish me luck!), but please don’t be shy—drop your gems, comments, thoughts, and reviews. I read every single one, and they honestly make my day. Love you all! x
RHEAI watch Iris from my seat as she stands in front of yet another mirror, surrounded by enough attendants to run a small country.The expression on her face grows darker with every outfit they bring her.At least I’d managed to get breakfast into her first.A proper breakfast too. Eggs, bacon, toast, fruit. The works.If I’d let her survive on that ridiculous salad she’d asked for earlier, I was fairly certain someone in this store would have ended up crying by now.The moment we’d walked through Dior’s doors, she’d been swept away into photographs, promotional videos and meetings with staff who seemed one missed heartbeat away from fainting in her presence. Racks of clothing had appeared from nowhere, entire collections wheeled into private fitting rooms as though a princess had arrived.Then again, Iris Voss was probably as close to modern royalty as most people would ever get.The strangest part wasn’t even the treatment.It was the fact she clearly hated it.Another attendant o
RHEA“Where to?” I ask as Iris buckles her seatbelt.She stares out the window.“I… don’t really have anywhere to go.”My fingers pause over my phone.That answer alone tells me enough.I send Damien a quick message.Me: I’m with Iris.His response comes almost immediately.Dame: Thank God.A second message follows right after.Dame: I’ve been looking everywhere for her.I glance at the girl beside me.She’s trying very hard to look indifferent.It’s not particularly convincing.Me: I don’t think she wants to see you right now.The typing bubble appears.Disappears.Appears again.Then nothing.My chest tightens.For all of Damien’s threats, sarcasm and general tendency to solve problems with violence, I’ve never once doubted how much he loves his sister.Me: Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her.This time his reply takes a little longer.Dame: Thank you, Dot.A pause.Dame: I owe you one.As if.I put my phone away and turn back to Iris.“Do you want to talk about it?”“No.”The answer
RHEAI drum my fingers against my cheek as I stare at Marek through the rear-view mirror.Liz had texted me five minutes ago about some last-minute emergency and said she wouldn’t be coming in today, which meant I’d made Marek turn the car around so I could stop at my favourite café near mine and Damien’s house and grab a bottle of caffeinated water before heading to work.It still doesn’t make sense.I frown.Then look up.“Marek.”“Boss.”“Has your boss been in a good mood lately?”“Boss is always in a good mood.” He glances at me through the mirror. “A fantastic mood, actually. Just look at you. You somehow get prettier every day.”I roll my eyes so hard it almost hurts.“You can stop now.”“What?”“The ass-kissing.”Marek looks genuinely offended. “I was being sincere.”“Of course you were.”Just to be safe, I glance at my reflection on my phone screen.Nothing appears out of place.Not that Damien would’ve let me leave the house looking ridiculous.Probably.“And I meant your oth
DAMIEN“Not particularly.” Iris frowns into her mug. “You have terrible etiquette and nobody cares. Why do I have to learn all that nonsense?”I ignore the very obvious jab at my character and raise an eyebrow.“Nonsense?”“Yes. Nonsense. They teach the boys diplomacy, negotiation, self-defence and all the other interesting things while I’m stuck learning which fork to use at dinner.”The irritation in her voice makes me frown. “Is that so?” Iris nods vigorously, her eyes downcast and my jaw tightens. “I’ll speak to your headmaster.”Her eyes widen. “Wait, seriously? You will?”“Of course I will. I don’t pay that school an absurd amount of money every year for them to teach my little sister table manners.”“Thanks, Dame!” Iris practically lights up, her lips pull into her usual happy smile. Much better. She immediately drops her hot chocolate onto the counter and gets up.I narrow my eyes at her practically full cup. “Sit down. Finish your drink, there’s breakfast. I’ll make you a pl
RHEA“This is…”I can’t hide the confusion in my voice as Damien turns on the morning news.Victor and Elara’s faces fill the screen beneath a headline so absurd that for a second I wonder if I’ve read it wrong.Slowly, I turn to look at Damien.He’s standing behind me, completely unconcerned, brushing my hair over one shoulder before pressing a kiss against my neck.“Tea?” he asks, holding out my usual mug.I blink.I hadn’t even noticed he’d made it.“Thank you.”I take the cup from him, still staring at the television.The reporter keeps talking, but my attention drifts back to Damien.“Damien, did you…”One eyebrow arches.I sigh immediately.Right.Never mind.If he had something to do with this, I have a feeling I don’t actually want to know the details.I take a sip of my tea instead.“It’s just strange. Why would Victor admit to any of this? It doesn’t make sense. Elara must be losing her mind right now.”Damien lets out a quiet snort.His arm slips around my waist while his m
ELARA“AH!”The scream tears out of my throat before I can stop it.My phone flies across the room and slams into the wall.For a second I can only stand there, chest heaving as I struggle to breathe around the rage choking me.That bitch.That fucking bitch.Who does Aurora think she is?Threatening me?After everything she’s already taken from me?I pace the room, trying and failing to calm myself.In.Out.In—Shit.My hands won’t stop shaking.The front door suddenly slams open.I freeze.My gaze darts to the files scattered across Victor’s desk.Shit.I rush forward, stuffing documents into drawers and folders, trying to make everything look untouched before the office door bursts open.I whirl around.And gasp.“Victor!”He looks terrible.His face is pale, his clothes are dishevelled, and he’s putting almost no weight on one leg as he limps into the room.“Darling, what happened to you?”I hurry to his side.The second I touch him, he sucks in a sharp breath.“My ankle is broke







