Iris's POV The dining room was exactly as extravagant as I had expected, which meant it looked like someone had robbed a palace and decided to redecorate with the spoils. A chandelier dripping with crystals hung over a table long enough to seat twenty people, though only two places were set at the far end, and the candlelight flickering across the silverware gave everything a soft, almost dreamlike quality that felt entirely at odds with the fact that I was a prisoner in this house. Margaret had stopped at the door and gestured for me to enter alone, her face pale and her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "He's waiting for you," she said, and then she was gone, the door clicking shut behind her with a soft finality that made my pulse jump in my throat. I stood in the doorway for a long moment, scanning the room while my mind raced through every possible scenario. I had spent hours imagining this moment, picturing the man who had orchestrated all of this, trying to piece togethe
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