POV: Iris
I storm out of that psychopath's room with Hayler and my father, furious, more riled up than ever.
Hayler leads me a bit further down the hallway. No one speaks. She stops at the fourth door, opens it, and steps inside.
I follow, jaw clenched tight.
The room is spacious, bright. The walls seem freshly painted — a soft beige, almost golden, highlighted by white moldings. A large canopy bed dominates the center, draped in ivory silk.
Light curtains sway before a wide bay window overlooking the gardens. Two doors can be seen at the back — one probably leads to the bathroom, the other to the balcony.
— I'm really sorry for my brother's behavior, says Hayler, breaking the silence.
I turn toward her. My father, still standing near the door, stares at an invisible point, his face blank.
Anger flares again. If Hayler hadn't stepped in, I might be dead by now.
— I hope you'll forgive him, she continues softly. If he had known you were his sister, he would never have attacked you.
— Attacked?! That lunatic nearly killed me! I swear, next time, I'll hit him back — that savage! I snap, fists clenched.
Hayler and my father stare at me.
I instantly unclench my hands, feeling awkward.
— Well, I mean...
But Hayler bursts out laughing, a bright, crystalline laugh. She laughs until tears glisten in her eyes, while my father only frowns.
— I've always dreamed of having a daughter, she murmurs, her gaze drifting for a moment.
Then, pulling herself together: — I have a feeling you'll bring change to this house. It'll be good for the boy to have a sister.
She smiles at me gently.
— You haven't met Ryan yet, have you?
— Ryan? I ask, intrigued.
— Yes, Demon's twin brother.
— Demon? Oh, that nickname suits him perfectly, I blurt out. He really is a demon.
I freeze immediately. Oh no. She probably gave them that name.
I cover my mouth with both hands.
— Sorry... I didn't mean that...
Hayler smiles softly.
— It's alright. It's true he's... distant. Not very pleasant with people he doesn't know. But he's a good boy.
I stifle a laugh.
— Yeah, a good boy... with horns, maybe, I mutter under my breath.
She laughs heartily.
— You're really going to shake up this house, you know that? Well, get some rest. When you're done, come down for dinner with us, alright?
— Alright, I say.
She gives me one last smile before leaving the room, followed by my father.
When the door closes, I whisper,
— And it wasn't just the horns... his eyes changed color too...
I slap my forehead.
— Come on, Iris, you're talking nonsense. It's just exhaustion, nothing else.
I walk over to the bed and notice my suitcase sitting by the vanity.
— Well, looks like you saw the room before I did, I mutter sarcastically, sitting down.
I look up at the ceiling.
— Mom... I hope you can see me from up there. That you're proud of me. I did what you would've wanted: I overcame the pain, the resentment, the anger... and I came here anyway.
Be happy, Mom. I'll live for both of us — until the day I see you again.
Tears well up. I wipe them away quickly and start unpacking my things.
I grab a towel and step into the bathroom.
The room is stunning: white marble, golden sinks, an oval mirror framed with metallic leaves. A large claw-foot tub stands at the center, facing a window that opens onto the forest. The air smells of lavender and fresh soap.
I lock the door and let the hot water loosen my nerves.
— So that's why you left us, Dad? For all this luxury? For that woman?
The question burns on my lips. But what's the point of asking?
I already know — nothing will ever justify his absence.
I dry off, get dressed, and go downstairs.
The sun has set. Through the tall windows, night cloaks the estate in shades of silver and blue.
Muffled voices guide me to the dining room.
The room is enormous. A massive wooden table dominates the space, large enough to seat twenty. Chandeliers cast a golden glow over an abundance of dishes — roasted meats, grilled vegetables, warm bread, steaming sauces.
Yet only my father and Hayler sit at the table.
— Come, dear, Hayler invites with a smile.
I step forward hesitantly and sit beside her, opposite my father.
A heavy silence falls.
— Here, try this, Hayler says, serving me a plate of honey-roasted chicken with rosemary.
I nod and start eating. The meal continues in stifling quiet... until my father finally speaks.
— Iris, he says.
I don't answer.
— I enrolled you in the city school. You'll be in the same class as the twins. You start tomorrow.
Still, I say nothing.
— I'm sure you'll make lots of new friends, Hayler adds, trying to lighten the mood.
— Don't put those ideas in her head, my father snaps sharply. That's out of the question.
I slam my spoon down.
— "Out of the question"? It's a bit late to play the protective father, don't you think? I'm old enough to have a boyfriend if I want one — and you'll never have a say in that.
I might live under your roof, but I won't let you control me.
I stand, trembling with rage.
— I'm not hungry anymore. Thanks for your hospitality, Dad.
The word hits like poison.
I turn toward the exit, then stop.
— Oh, and don't worry. I won't stay here long. As soon as I turn eighteen, I'm leaving. And I'll pay back every single cent you've spent on me.
My father's chair crashes to the floor as he suddenly rises.
His eyes gleam — with a golden, inhuman light.
— I am your father! he growls.
I back away, fear tightening around my throat.
Hayler rushes over, grabbing his arm.
— Calm down, please! You're scaring her!
His eyes return to normal, as if nothing had happened.
I spin around and bolt up the stairs to my room.
I slam the door shut, heart pounding wildly, then crawl under the covers.
— No, Iris... you're imagining things. That's impossible. It was just a reflection. Just exhaustion...
The ringing of my phone startles me.
I take a deep breath before answering. It's Catherine.
— I can't believe it! You've only been there a day and you already forgot about me?! she shouts.
I laugh despite myself.
— You know I could never forget you, Cathe.
— You'd better not! Or I'll come to Atlanta — and trust me, I've watched enough thrillers to know how to hide a body!
I burst out laughing.
— So, how is it over there? she asks.
I tell her everything — the house, the forest, the suffocating luxury — carefully leaving out the story with Demon and my father.
— Wow, that's insane, she says. And you're already starting school tomorrow? Your dad sure moves fast...
I fall silent. She's right — he arranged everything far too quickly.
Almost... as if it had been planned all along.
— Iris? You still there?
— Yeah, yeah.
— Well, I've got class tomorrow. Take care of yourself, and don't you dare forget me, got it?
— Promise, I say, rolling my eyes.
I hang up and sink under the blanket.
It's the third night without Mom.
The first of a new life.
And I'm scared that in this house... the nightmares might be real.