เข้าสู่ระบบWENDYShe hesitates.Clearly alcohol is the last thing on her mind.Still, she accepts the glass I offer.“Thank you, Miss Osbo—” She quickly corrects herself. “Mrs. Voss.”A pleased smile spreads across my face.Honestly, I can’t help it.The title sounds lovely.“You don’t need to flatter me,” I say lightly, swirling the champagne in my glass. “Though I do agree it’s only a matter of time.”Elara forces a smile.I take a delicate sip before continuing.“You asked for my help, and I’ve done as requested. I’ve certainly given Rhea quite a fright today.” I tilt my head. “But if we’re truly going to be partners, I need to know exactly what you want.”My smile never falters.“The advantages. The risks. The end goal.”I meet her gaze.“You understand why I might be suspicious when you suddenly decide you’d rather work with me than my uncle, don’t you?”Elara’s expression hardens instantly.“I want Aurora dead.”The answer comes without hesitation.Then she corrects herself.“No. Rhea.” Ha
RHEA“Shit.”The curse slips out before I can stop it.For a moment, all I can do is stare after Wendy’s retreating figure, my pulse hammering against my ribs. Then I force myself to look away from her and focus on the girl trembling in my arms.Iris has both hands clamped tightly over her ears. Her eyes are squeezed shut, her lips moving soundlessly as though she’s trying to convince herself she’s somewhere else entirely.“Iris.”Nothing.“Iris, hey.”Her breathing is ragged. Too fast.The panic around us doesn’t seem to exist to her anymore. The shattered glass. The smoke. The screaming. She’s trapped somewhere inside her own head.I cup her face gently.“Iris, look at me.”Her lashes flutter.“She’s gone,” I tell her quietly. “Do you hear me? Wendy’s gone.”For a second, nothing happens. Then her eyes slowly open. They’re bloodshot and glassy with tears. Good. At least she’s looking at me.I let out a careful breath.I know this feeling.Maybe not for the same reasons, but I know w
RHEA“Damien’s fiancée.”My eyebrows shoot up so high they nearly disappear into my hairline.What?For a second, I genuinely think I’ve misheard her.Then Wendy laughs.The sound is soft and musical, completely unlike the tension radiating from Iris beside me.“Oh, Iris.” She shakes her head fondly. “You know better than to count your chickens before they hatch.” Her smile widens slightly. “Or have they?”Iris stares stubbornly at the floor. “No.”The single word sounds forced.Wendy’s expression immediately turns sympathetic. “Oh.” The disappointment on her face is genuine.Then her attention returns to me.“I’m sorry. This must all sound terribly confusing.” She offers me a graceful smile. “I shouldn’t assume everyone knows the details.” Her gaze flickers briefly toward Iris before settling back on me. “I’m Wendy Osborne.”I know.The problem is that now I’ve met her, I’m even more confused.Nothing about her matches the picture Titan or Vona painted.She doesn’t look unstable.She
RHEA “I think there’s something wrong with Iris.” The words leave my mouth the second Damien picks up. I’d excused myself to the bathroom the moment Iris disappeared toward the jewellery section. Instead of checking my messages or fixing my makeup, I’d called him. Because something wasn’t sitting right. The line is quiet for a moment. Then Damien sighs. “I know, Dot.” He’s not being defensive, but he doesn’t sound surprised either. Just tired. I lean against the counter and lower my voice. “Maybe you should come get her. Whatever happened between you two, you probably need to talk.” A toilet flushes behind me. Someone exits one of the stalls and I instinctively move aside. The girl freezes when she notices me watching her. A hoodie is pulled low over her face despite being indoors, a mask covering the rest. Something about her feels familiar. Before I can place it, she drops her head and practically rushes out of the bathroom. Odd. The feeling lingers. Like I’ve forgot
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







