Chapter 4%
Iris sobbed, her heart breaking into pieces. “Your son was born, and you never even looked at him once–now you just want to take him away from me?”
Hearing the accusation in her tone, Wendel ran his finger through his hair, letting out a weary sigh before finally admitting the truth.
“I’ve always loved Esther,” he confessed. “She’s fragile and can’t have children. So I thought─* He hesitated, then met her gaze. “I thought I could take your child instead.”
Iris refused with everything she had, but Stella locked her up in the house. She could only watch helplessly as her own flesh and blood was taken away.
The mere thought of losing her child filled her with a burning hatred. She wanted nothing more than to rip Esther’s face apart.
Seeing the look on Iris‘ face, Esther trembled all over.
“Brother, Iris’s expression is so scary. Did I do something wrong? I’ll apologize, okay? I’ll apologize!”
With that, she raised her hand and slapped herself repeatedly, crying out, “It’s all my fault! I’m the one to blame! I should just die! If I die, everyone will be happy!”
Wendel panicked. He rushed over to stop her. “Esther, what are you doing? Who told you to die? Who can’t accept you?“}
Esther said nothing. She just kept crying.
Before Iris could even defend herself, Wendel suddenly shoved her hard.
“What the hell is wrong with you? If you’re angry, then just be angry! What’s the point of being passive–aggressive? Haven’t you bullied Esther enough over the years?*%
His harsh accusations rang in her ears.
Supporting her sore shoulder where he had shoved her, Iris clenched her teeth. “I have never bullied her. You’re the one who’s always had a bias against me!“2
But Wendel wasn’t listening. His mind was entirely occupied by the sight of Esther, crying like a delicate, tragic heroine.
Glaring at Iris, he snapped, “Apologize to Esther right now!“>
Iris lifted her head, her eyes stubborn and unyielding. “I won’t apologize. I did nothing wrong. Why should I?“}
The dim candlelight reflected in her bright, unwavering eyes.
For the first time, Wendel saw a defiance in her gaze that he had never noticed before.
She stood her ground, her voice steady and clear. “I didn’t say anything wrong. I simply passed on Mom’s words. It was Esther who lost control and started acting crazy. Yet you blindly blamed me without knowing the full story. I’ve done nothing wrong–why should I apologize?“2
“You” Wendel was stunned.
He had always thought he understood Iris best. To him, she was obedient and gentle, always yielding to his demands without a single complaint.
But today, she was like a completely different person.2
The tears that had been endlessly streaming down Esther’s face suddenly stopped. She stared blankly at Iris, unable to believe what she had just heard.
Iris glanced at the two of them, let out a cold laugh, and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going to bed.” *Iris…
For some reason, an uneasy feeling crept into Wendel’s heart.”
He reached out and grabbed her hand, pressing his lips together before saying, “I know I was wrong to accuse you just now, but we’re all family. The way you talk is just too harsh.“#
Iris pulled her hand away indifferently and asked coldly, “What do you mean? Are you trying to make me apologize a second time?“} Hearing her words, Wendel felt a sharp, piercing pain in his chest.
He had known for a long time that Iris had feelings for him–feelings that were different from simple affection.
But he had never loved her. Let alone wanted to marry her.
Yet she had always been so obedient, so easy to control, never resisting, never questioning him.
Until now.
2:13 PM N
