Chapter 7

"Iris, I never thought that you could be so cruel. Did you want Erica dead out of jealousy? You're even worse than a criminal! I have no such daughter!" Thomas roared. His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Iris like she was an enemy. He kicked her viciously—twice. Rosanne held Erica in her arms and sobbed uncontrollably. "I'm so sorry. I just stepped out for a little while. I never thought that things would go so wrong. Erica, hang in there! I'm taking you to the hospital right now!" Erica's face was covered in blood, making her injuries appear quite severe. But in reality, they were just surface wounds. Her screams tugged at the hearts of Iris' parents and Keith. Yet, she shot a sinister, cold smile at Iris when they weren't looking. Iris had fallen from the second floor and was much more seriously injured than Erica. At this moment, she couldn't even speak. After being kicked multiple times, she curled up into a fetal position. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the wound in her heart. Her parents didn't believe her. Even if she explained herself, she knew that it wouldn't make a difference as they trusted Erica unconditionally. Minutes passed before Iris finally managed to stand. Her face was pale, and her body was trembling uncontrollably. She couldn't help but look at Keith, whose face was full of disappointment. Erica sobbed pitifully. "Iris, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked Keith to keep me company. I know you hate me. If my death would make you happy, then take my life. There's no need to make Aunt Rosanne, Uncle Thomas, or Keith suffer." Iris stared at Erica's performance coldly. Then, she glanced at her parents' furious expressions. A wave of darkness and despair washed over her. She was no stranger to loneliness and heartache, having already chosen to cut off her parents and Keith. To her, they were nothing more than worthless remnants of the past. So, why was Erica relentlessly framing her still? Keith suddenly slapped Iris across the face. His usually handsome features were now frozen in icy fury. "I already told you that I'm going to marry you. Why did you have to hurt Erica? She's already suffering enough. Do you really have to push her to death?" A bright red mark appeared on Iris' face as blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. She stared at Keith in a daze. Just like her parents, he had blindly believed Erica without question. To them, she was nothing but a despicable sinner. Iris had initially wanted to explain the situation to Keith. She thought that, at the very least, he might have some doubt about what had occurred. But now, she realized that it was pointless. Keith shook his head. Disappointment was written all over his face. "Your actions disgust me. How could I ever trust and marry a woman as ruthless as you? Iris, you've truly let me down." None of them spared her another glance as they rushed Erica to the hospital. As they walked away, Erica turned her head and smiled devilishly at Iris. Iris could no longer hold on as the car disappeared into the night. She coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed. … In the silence of the night, the air was frosty and misty. Iris finally stirred awake. Her body felt numb, and she struggled to crawl back home. After lying in bed for a few hours, she regained some strength and treated her wounds by herself. The night was cold, yet it was still warmer than her frozen heart. Her parents and Keith had stabbed her in her heart, leaving a gaping wound. Her already shattered world crumbled even further. Like a wounded stray, she licked her wounds alone on the dark balcony. She had no more tears left to shed. Her emotions had long gone numb, leaving behind only a hollow shell. At this moment, she only wished for time to pass faster. She didn't want to stay in this house a second longer. This cold, merciless home was like a gaping mouth waiting to devour her whole. She stared at the night sky as she lay in bed, missing her late grandmother. Aside from her grandmother, no one in this world had ever truly loved her. Feeling drowsy, she fell asleep, only to be jolted awake by a bucket of cold water. Before she could open her eyes, someone forcefully yanked her up and dragged her into the living room. Thomas, Rosanne, and Keith had returned home with Erica. Although Erica had sustained only surface injuries, to them, Iris' actions were unforgivable. Thomas kicked Iris hard, his expression dark. "Iris, get down on your knees and apologize to Erica. If you don't beg and receive her forgiveness, then you are no daughter of mine."