Luca:
Ever since I spoke, Iris had gripped me tightly with her glares.
It felt as if she had discovered my truth, as if she knew my secrets, and that thought terrified me for reasons I could not explain.
I mean, if I managed to leave this place somehow, it should not matter what Iris thought about me.
So why was I afraid to do it? I did not want to take a step that would hurt others.
Ever since I saw my two children, my selfishness had disappeared.
I just wanted to choose a better life for them, no matter what it took. I wanted to find them and be with them.
Their innocent faces filled my mind. Five years, five long years, maybe even more.
All they had ever seen was hatred. They were always told to stay quiet, not move, not speak, or they would be punished.
Seeing the fear on their faces made my chest tighten. They were my children.
Even if they were not, whoever's children they were, they were suffering terribly.
