Chapter 6

Keith had accompanied Erica back to the bedroom. That was when he accidentally spotted a magazine from National Defense University on the bed on the balcony. Feeling unsettled, he hurried down the stairs to ask Iris about it. He questioned, "Why are you browsing information about National Defense University?" Iris faced his interrogation with utter calm. Instead of explaining, she picked up her towel to wipe away her sweat. "Say something!" He grabbed her hand as his body shook as if he had lost the most important thing in his life. She pried away the hand that she had dreamed of holding countless times. Feeling nothing on the inside, she smiled at him. "Oh, I was just casually reading it, you know." Keith stared into her eyes. She didn't seem to be lying. Moreover, he didn't think that she would lie to him. Feeling relieved, he nodded and said, "There's nothing much in there. Given your physical condition, you won't qualify for the university anyway. You should focus on your studies and retake the SATs next year. You're good at studying, so you'll have a chance to attend university." Iris asked noncommittally, "Do you think so? But Dad and Mom want me to work part-time after summer break to sponsor Erica's education. I'll be leaving soon." Keith's expression fell. He had something to say. Seemingly feeling guilty for his treatment of Iris as of late, he softened. "Don't worry. I won't let you work part-time. Money is not a problem. I've set aside enough money for Erica's university expenses." Iris flashed a self-deprecating smile. He sure was nice to Erica and had thought of everything. Not only did he force Iris to give up her place at Bellevue University, but he even prepared to pay for Erica's tuition. The Burnetts were definitely a happy and blessed family. Naturally, Iris could sense the nervousness and panic within Keith but knew that it did not stem from love. He merely felt guilty. She believed that her parents would definitely force her to work part-time if Erica made a scene. If that happened, Keith would not stand up for her. Still, it didn't matter because she no longer cared about them. Keith, however, mistook Iris' silence for jealousy. He caressed her head and finally noticed that she had cut her hair. She looked very different from her previous demure and adorable self. He had a feeling that she was about to disappear from his world, even though she was right there before his eyes. The sense of loss slowly crept in. "Iris, I will marry you. Trust me. We just need to delay it," he said firmly. In the past, Iris would have been excited to hear that from Keith. But now, she only gave him a soft response with a flat expression, which disturbed him very much. Meanwhile, Erica was staring at the two of them from the second-floor balcony with thick resentment. … Iris went to sleep early, partly because she didn't want to watch her parents fussing over Erica and partly because the physical training in the day was too strenuous. The next morning, she woke up early and left home for school. In the teachers' room, Iris saw a handsome, determined woman dressed in a military uniform. The woman, who left an excellent impression, introduced herself as a lecturer specializing in cryptography at National Defense University. She was on a mission while also here to take Iris to the university. The cryptography major at National Defense University was one of a kind. All approvals were granted beforehand, so they did not need to follow any standard operating procedures. The university lecturers personally picked up the students to train at a secret location without notifying the high school beforehand. Once the handover process was completed, the lecturer told Iris that she would visit Sevanne High School the following week to pick her up. On Iris' way back home, she fantasized about her future at the university when she thought of that lecturer in military uniform. She vowed to study hard and serve the country, hoping to become a cool woman like that lecturer one day. Even though Iris' family life was devoid of love, she eagerly anticipated the day she would attend National Defense University. … Night had fallen by the time Iris arrived home. Thomas and Rosanne were nowhere to be found. When Iris stepped foot in the house, she saw Erica sitting on her bed on the balcony and staring at her, her expression haughty. "Iris, Keith seems to love me more." Erica wore an amused and derisive expression. "See? Anything I want from you will be mine. So, why stick around? You should just die." Now that Iris had a new hope to cling to, she didn't care about Erica's provocative remarks. Erica thought that she could incite Iris and drive the latter to insanity with her words, just like before. She would watch Iris collapse onto the floor in pain and cackle maniacally. But she felt frustrated when Iris gave no response. She scowled. She hated this feeling. The sight of Keith making a promise to Iris in the day also filled her with maddening jealousy. Even if she had self-harmed, she could only force Keith to delay registering his marriage to Iris. At the end of the day, she could not make Keith her man. Hence, Erica had made those remarks to provoke Iris. Yet, Iris' indifference only fueled her envy. Madness flashed across her eyes. She grabbed Iris and hissed coldly, "Say, who will they trust if I tell them that you shoved me down the stairs out of jealousy?" Iris' expression fell. She was about to break free from Erica's hold when the latter pushed her down the stairs. "Help me! Don't kill me!" Erica first rammed her head into the wall to make herself bleed. Then, she ran to the foot of the stairs and lay beside Iris. Iris had fallen off the stairs and hit the ground hard. She was in so much pain that she couldn't breathe. Erica's shrill scream immediately attracted the attention of Thomas, Rosanne, and Keith. The three of them hurried over and saw the young ladies lying at the foot of the stairs. Thomas and Rosanne kicked Iris without asking. They growled at her, "How could you do this to Erica?" Iris watched her parents' twisted faces with a blank stare. Her words were stuck in her throat. She closed her eyes, feeling the throbbing pain in her chest.