It was 8:30 a.m. the next morning at the Wells mansion.
Sunlight streamed through the curtains of Iris's bedroom, casting a warm glow across the black and cream interior. The room was quiet, but Iris was already awake.
She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Yesterday's events kept replaying in her mind.
The Blackwoods arriving.
Meeting Damien.
Dinner.
And then Damien casually announces that the marriage documents were going to be signed today.
Iris groaned and pulled a pillow over her face.
"Absolutely not," she muttered.
She tossed the pillow aside and sat up.
There was no way she was signing anything today.
At least, that's what she kept telling herself.
Iris got out of bed and walked toward her closet. She pulled out a pair of comfortable black trousers and a fitted white top before heading into the bathroom.
About an hour later, Iris walked downstairs.
As she entered the dining room, she immediately noticed her parents sitting at the table.
Annie looked up from her coffee.
"Good morning, sweetheart," she said.
Iris walked past her without answering and took a seat.
Anthony glanced at his daughter.
"Good morning, Iris."
"Morning," Iris replied shortly.
Annie exchanged a look with Anthony.
"Iris, about last night-"
"I don't want to talk about it," Iris interrupted.
Annie sighed.
"We need to."
Iris reached for a glass of orange juice.
"What exactly is there to talk about?"
The head maid, Nora, came in and served Iris breakfast.
"Thank you, Nora." She said, smiling.
Anthony leaned forward.
"The Blackwoods will be coming later today."
Iris slowly lowered her glass.
"I know."
"The documents need to be finalized," he continued.
Iris stared at him.
"I already told you I'm not ready."
Anthony sighed.
"Iris, this isn't something we can keep delaying."
"Why not?" she asked. "You already made the decision for me."
"We're trying to protect this family," Anthony said.
"And I'm supposed to sacrifice my life for it?"
Annie looked down.
"No one wants you to sacrifice your life," she said quietly.
"Really?" Iris asked. "Because that's exactly what it feels like."
Anthony was silent for a moment.
Iris pushed her chair back.
"I've lost my appetite."
She stood up.
"Iris!" Annie called.
But Iris was already walking away.
She pulled her phone from her pocket as she left the dining room.
There was only one person she wanted to talk to.
Sienna.
Iris immediately called Sienna.
The call barely rang twice before Sienna answered.
"Girl, please tell me you're calling because you've changed their mind about you marrying Mr. Tall and Handsome."
Iris rolled her eyes.
"Good morning to you too."
"So that's a no?" Sienna asked.
"No." Kylia sighed
Sienna sighed dramatically.
"Damn. I was hoping for good news."
"The documents are being signed today," Iris said.
There was silence on the other end.
"What?" Sienna gasped
"You heard me." Kylia said.
"Today?" Sienna asked.
"Yes." Kylia answered.
Sienna gasped.
"Girl, I'm coming over."
"You don't have to-" Kylia said
"I'm already getting dressed. Im getting into the car." Sienna said.
Iris smiled despite herself.
"You're ridiculous."
"And you're welcome," Sienna replied. "Give me thirty minutes."
The call ended.
About forty minutes later, Iris heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway.
A few minutes later, Sienna appeared at her bedroom door carrying two shopping bags.
"I brought emergency supplies," she announced.
Iris looked at the bags.
"What did you bring?"
Sienna walked over to the bed and emptied them onto it.
Ice cream.
Cookies.
Brownies.
Popcorn.
Chocolate-covered strawberries.
Iris stared at everything.
"You're insane."
"No," Sienna replied proudly. "I'm prepared."
Iris laughed softly for the first time that morning.
"My love language." Kylia smiled.
The two girls climbed onto the bed with their snacks.
Sienna handed Iris a tub of ice cream.
"Now," she said, grabbing a spoon. "Tell me everything."
Iris sighed.
"There's not much to tell."
Sienna raised an eyebrow.
"You're getting married today!"
"I know." Kylia said.
"To Damien Blackwood!" Sienna said.
"I know." Kylia said
"The man whose picture I showed you yesterday." Sienna said
Iris looked at her.
"Yes, Sienna."
Sienna smiled.
"And he's still hot."
Iris groaned.
"Oh my gosh."
"What?" Sienna asked innocently.
"Can we please talk about something else?" Iris asked
"Nope." Sienna laughed.
Iris rolled her eyes and took a spoonful of ice cream.
Sienna laughed.
"Fine. We'll talk about your feelings."
Iris stopped.
Her expression softened.
"I don't know what I'm feeling."
Sienna's smile disappeared.
"Iris..."
"I just feel like everything is happening too fast," Iris admitted.
Sienna put her spoon down.
"I know."
"I don't even know Damien." Iris said.
"You'll get to know him." Sienna said.
"And what if I don't want to?" Iris asked.
Sienna was quiet for a moment.
"i dont think you really have a choice, love."
Iris looked at her and sighed.
Sienna reached over and squeezed her hand.
"Whatever happens today, you don't have to go through it alone."
Iris smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
"Always," Sienna said.
Then she picked up her spoon again.
"But I'm still saying he's hot."
Iris burst out laughing.
"Sienna!"
"What? I'm just being honest." Sienna laughed.
They laughed and talked and snacked.
A few hours later, Iris saw Sienna out.
As Iris walked back into the house, she met Nora, clearing the dining table. Nora had been the head maid at the Wells mansion for years. She had practically watched Iris grow up, especially during the years when Anthony and Annie were constantly busy and rarely around. To Iris, Nora had never felt like just a maid. She had been the person who comforted her when she was upset, stayed beside her when she was sick, and made sure she never felt completely alone.
Nora looked up and immediately noticed the sadness on Iris's face.
"Miss Iris?" she called softly.
Iris stopped.
"What happened?" Nora asked.
Iris tried to answer, but the words wouldn't come.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Nora..." she whispered.
Nora immediately put down the plate she was holding and walked toward her.
"Oh, sweetheart," she said gently.
Iris shook her head as the tears finally slipped down her cheeks.
"I don't know what to do," she whispered.
Nora pulled her into a warm embrace.
Iris rested her head against Nora's shoulder and began to cry quietly.
"It's okay," Nora whispered, gently rubbing her back. "Let it out."
"I don't want to get married," Iris said through her tears.
Nora held her a little tighter.
"I know, sweetheart."
"Everything is happening so fast." Iris stiffed
"I know." Nora said
"I just..." Iris's voice broke. "I'm scared."
Nora gently stroked her hair.
"You've always been stronger than you think you are," she said softly.
Iris wiped her tears.
"But I don't feel strong."
"You don't have to feel strong every second," Nora replied. "Sometimes you just have to hold on."
Iris looked up at her.
Nora smiled sadly.
"Whatever happens, hang on, Miss Iris. One day at a time."
Iris nodded slowly before resting her head against Nora's shoulder again.
Nora continued holding her.
"It's going to be okay," she whispered. "Just hang on."
After that, Iris went up to her room to get ready because the Blackwood were arriving soon. She took a deep breath and went to her closet to pick out an outfit.
She decided on a fitted burgundy long-sleeved top tucked into a black leather mini skirt paired with black ankle boots. She added a few silver rings and silver teardrop earrings, while her dark blonde hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders. She finished the look with a small black handbag and a touch of simple makeup with smoky shades around her eyes.
She stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself.
"Okay," she whispered. "Let's get this over with."
She got downstairs and met her parents waiting for her.
"Honey, change of plans. We are to meet the Blackwoods at their house." Annie said.
"Let's get this over with." She said, walking out of the house.
"Im taking my own car." She said.
"Whatever you want to do, honey, but please don't be late." Annie said.
She didn't reply.
She simply walked outside and headed toward her favourite car-a white Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupé.
She unlocked the car, slid into the driver's seat, and placed her handbag beside her.
A moment later, the engine came to life.
Iris took a deep breath.
Then she pulled out of the driveway and headed toward the Blackwood mansion while Anthony and Annie drove there by their driver in a Black Range Rover Autobiography.
They finally arrived at the Blackwood Estate.
The Blackwood estate was nothing like the Wells mansion.
It wasn't simply a large property-it was an entire private estate surrounded by tall stone walls and massive iron gates. A long, winding driveway stretched beyond the entrance, lined with perfectly trimmed trees and elegant outdoor lanterns that led deeper into the property.
As Iris drove through the gates, she slowed down.
The estate seemed to go on forever.
There were enormous green lawns on both sides of the driveway, carefully maintained gardens filled with flowers, and several fountains scattered throughout the grounds. Farther away, Iris could see a private tennis court, a large swimming pool, and what looked like a separate guest house tucked behind a row of trees.
Then she saw it.
The Blackwood mansion stood at the very centre of the estate.
It was enormous.
The dark stone exterior gave it a powerful, almost intimidating appearance, while the enormous windows reflected the afternoon sunlight. Tall columns framed the grand entrance, and wide marble steps led up to massive double doors.
The architecture was elegant but imposing, with several balconies extending from the upper floors and tall towers rising above the main structure.
Iris stared through her windshield.
"Wow," she muttered.
Her white Mercedes continued along the driveway until she reached the circular driveway directly in front of the mansion.
A large fountain stood at the centre, water flowing quietly beneath the afternoon sun.
Iris parked beside the entrance and turned off the engine.
A few seconds later, her parents' black Range Rover arrived behind her.
Iris looked up at the mansion again.
"So this is where the Blackwoods live," she whispered.
She took a deep breath, picked up her handbag, and stepped out of the car.
She wasn't sure what scared her more-the mansion itself or the fact that she was about to walk inside it and possibly leave as Damien Blackwood's wife.
Iris stared up at the enormous Blackwood mansion.
She had come here expecting to sign a few papers.
She didn't know she was about to walk into a decision that would change her entire life.