Iris's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Carter beside her, his demeanour calm and collected despite the recent confrontation.Determined to unravel the enigma that was Carter Barclay Windsor, Iris made a split-second decision. Carter's gaze followed her movements, his brow furrowing in mild curiosity as she approached the water's edge. He watched silently as she paused for a moment, her eyes locking with his before she plunged into the cool, refreshing depths with a splash.Iris relished the sensation of weightlessness as she submerged herself underwater, the cool liquid embracing her, muffling the sounds of the outside world. As she surfaced, gasping for breath, Iris's heart raced with anticipation, and she stole a glance at Carter, hoping for a reaction.To her surprise, he remained unmoved, his expression unchanged as he watched her from the safety of the poolside. A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes, a mysterious glint that eluded her understanding. Iris bit her l
Carter sat on the balcony of their honeymoon suite, the soft sea breeze ruffling his hair as he stared out at the endless expanse of ocean stretching out before him. His laptop lay forgotten on the table beside him, the glow of the screen a stark reminder of the work that awaited him back home.With a heavy sigh, he picked up his phone and dialled one of his trusted business partners, hoping for a brief respite from his honeymoon."Hey, man" he greeted, his voice laced with weariness."Hey, Carter! What's up?" came the cheerful response on the other end of the line.Carter hesitated, unsure of how to tell his colleague that he rather be at work than on his own honeymoon. "I was just...thinking about work," he admitted reluctantly. "I know we're supposed to be on our honeymoon, but I can't help but feel like I'm falling behind.""There's so much I have to do and so many people counting on me"There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before his partner spoke again, their v
Iris lay on the massage table, her muscles melting beneath the skilled hands of the masseuse as she drifted into a state of blissful relaxation. The scent of lavender filled the air, soothing her senses as she let out a contented sigh.As the massage came to an end, Iris slowly sat up, feeling refreshed. She turned to thank the masseuse, only to find herself face-to-face with a friendly-looking woman standing nearby, Anya."Hi there! I'm Anya," the woman said with a warm smile, extending a hand towards Iris.Iris returned the smile, shaking Anya's hand warmly."Nice to meet you, Anya. I'm Iris," she replied, her voice soft and friendly.Anya's eyes twinkled with curiosity as she glanced over at Iris. "Are you enjoying your massage?" she asked, her tone laced with genuine interest.Iris nodded enthusiastically. "Oh. It was amazing," she replied, a hint of awe in her voice.Anya's smile widened, and a look of understanding passed between them. "I know, right? There's nothing quite like
As Carter followed Anya into the other room, a sense of unease gnawed at him, his mind swirling with confusion. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Anya's behaviour, especially given in front of her husband, Paul.As they entered the room, Anya turned to face Carter, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she closed the door behind them. Before he could react, she moved closer, her movements predatory as she closed the distance between them.Carter took a step back, his heart racing with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. "Anya, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion and discomfort.But Anya simply smiled, her gaze locking onto his with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine."Relax, Carter. I just wanted to have a little fun," she purred, her voice dripping with seduction.Carter's eyes widened in shock as he realized her intentions."But...what about Paul?" he stammered, his words barely a whisper as he struggled to comprehend the s
Iris sat on the edge of her seat, her attention divided between Paul's animated storytelling and the door leading to the adjacent room. Paul was recounting tales of his adventures abroad.As Paul spoke passionately about his travels, Iris found herself unable to fully immerse herself in his stories. Her eyes kept darting towards the connecting door, her mind consumed by thoughts of what could be happening on the other side."Iris, are you listening?" Paul's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present moment."Sorry, Paul," Iris replied, offering him a sheepish smile. "I'm just a bit distracted. Your stories are fascinating, though."Paul chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I'm glad you think so. But is something on your mind?" Iris shook her head, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts.Iris hesitated, unsure whether to voice her concerns. But the longer she remained silent, the more her worry gnawed at her. "It's just... I can't help but wond
Carter stepped out of the hospital, the sterile scent lingering in his nostrils, but his spirits were surprisingly light. Iris, on the other hand, trailed behind him, her face pale and shadowed.“I can’t believe I crushed his—” Iris began, but Carter cut her off with a chuckle.“Hey, you didn’t crush his dreams. Just his... well, you know.” He grinned, trying to lighten the mood.Iris shot him a glare that could freeze the sun. “This isn’t funny, Carter. I just ruined his life!”“Come on, it’s a hilarious story in retrospect!” He nudged her playfully. “You should’ve seen the look on his face. Priceless!”Iris rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a faint smile. “That doesn’t make it okay.”“Alright, alright. Let’s just get you some sleep.” He handed her a small bottle of sleeping pills. “This should help.”The next morning, the sun streamed through the curtains, illuminating Iris as she brewed coffee. She had a determined look in her eyes when Carter stumbled into the kitchen, hair to
Iris stood in the living room, the bright morning sun casting a warm glow on the newly arranged furniture. She caught the shock on Carter's face and her heart raced. Was he impressed or horrified?“Carter? Is this... too much?” she asked, her voice wavering slightly.He stepped closer, eyes wide as he took in the fresh paint, cosy throw pillows, and the eclectic mix of decor she’d carefully curated. “No, no! It’s amazing! I can’t believe you did all this by yourself!”Relief washed over her. “Really? You like it?”“Like it? I love it! How did you manage all this while I was snoozing?” He laughed, running a hand through his hair.Iris shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. “I might have gone shopping early... and maybe emptied my bank account in the process.”Carter’s smile faltered slightly. “Wait, what do you mean ‘emptied’?”“Just that I used the money I made from selling my watch. It was worth a pretty penny, but…” Her voice trailed off, a touch of uncertainty creepin
Carter strolled back over from the restroom, casual air about him as he grabbed a seat across from Iris. “Hey, how’s the food?” he asked, taking a bite of his sandwich, his demeanour relaxed. “It’s fine,” Iris replied, trying to sound upbeat despite the tight knot in her stomach. “Just trying to soak in the atmosphere.” Carter shrugged, his tone nonchalant. “Good. Do you know that black card? It’s mine. Figured you might want to splurge a little.” Iris blinked, momentarily taken aback. “Wait, what? You’re serious?” “Yeah, it’s just a card. Use it if you want,” he said, waving it off as if it were no big deal. “I’m not going to be using it anytime soon, anyway.” “Thanks, I guess,” Iris said, her heart doing a little flip. “I mean, I could use a bit of fun.” “Just don’t break the bank,” he quipped with a half-smile before finishing his sandwich. Feeling emboldened by his casual offer, Iris took a deep breath and stood up, ready to dive into the shopping adventure. “Let’s see
Grandma Martha’s birthday loomed a date that Carter dreaded more than anyone else. “She hates being celebrated, Iris,” he said, leaning against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed. His lips quirked in a mixture of amusement and resignation.Iris tilted her head, giving him an incredulous look. “Everyone likes their birthday celebrated, Carter. Even if they say they don’t.”He chuckled softly. “Not Grandma. She pretends she hates it, complains for weeks, and then ends up loving it once the day comes. It’s this…strange ritual.”“Well,” Iris said, standing a little straighter, “if she’s going to get a party, let’s make sure it’s one to remember.”From the moment the decision was made, Iris threw herself into the preparations. She wasn’t just overseeing things—she was involved in every detail. She picked out flowers from the market, tasted every dish on the menu, and even fixed the seating arrangements after Carter got them wrong.“Iris, this is too much. You don’t have to do all this,”
The city buzzed with life as Carter pulled up to Iris’s apartment in his sleek black SUV. The car glided to a stop, and he stepped out, smoothing his jacket with one hand while clutching a single red rose in the other.When Iris opened the door, her expression was a mix of annoyance and reluctance. She looked stunning in her red dress, her hair cascading down her shoulders, but her arms were crossed tightly over her chest.“For you,” Carter said smoothly, holding out the rose. “Though I have to admit, it pales in comparison to you tonight.”Iris rolled her eyes, though a faint smile threatened to betray her. “Flattery isn’t going to fix things, Carter.”He leaned against the doorframe, a playful glint in his eye. “Maybe not, but it’s a start. Shall we?”She sighed but grabbed her clutch. “Let’s just go.”The drive to the movie premiere was relatively quiet, but Carter wasn’t one to let silence win.“I know you’re still mad at me,” he said, glancing at her. “And you have every right to
Iris paced the living room, her heart racing. She couldn’t believe it. Her father—the man who had walked out on their family years ago—was outside Carter’s front door, demanding to see her. She turned to Carter, her eyes wide with panic.“Send him away,” she pleaded. “Please, Carter. I can’t do this. Not now.”Carter, tall and calm as ever, leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “Iris, you’re jumping to conclusions. Maybe he has something important to say.”She shook her head violently. “You don’t know him like I do. He’s only here because he needs something. Probably money. He always needs money.”Carter sighed. “I get it, Iris. But what if you’re wrong? What if he’s here to make amends?”She laughed bitterly. “Amends? My father doesn’t do ‘amends.’ He does chaos. He does destruction. Trust me, Carter, this will only end badly.”Carter pushed off the wall and walked over to her, placing a steady hand on her shoulder. “Listen to him. Just for a few minutes. You’ll regret it if
“It’ll help us both,” she had reasoned late one night, as they sat in their modest apartment. “If you move into the estate, Grandma Martha will be thrilled. And if she’s happy with you, she’ll start warming up to me, too. Think about it, Carter. It’s a win-win.”Carter sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t care about her approval, Iris.”“I know,” Iris said softly, her hand resting on his. “But this isn’t just about approval. It’s about securing our place in the family. You know how much this inheritance drama weighs on her. Showing her you’re willing to be part of the family could mean everything.”He had to admit, that Iris had a point. Reluctantly, Carter agreed, and two days later, they packed up their lives and moved into the sprawling mansion on the family’s estate.Grandma Martha was overjoyed, her sharp eyes twinkling as she hugged Carter tightly. “I knew you’d come around, my boy. This is where you belong.”The move sent ripples through the estate. Ollie, Carter’s
The sleek black car pulled up outside the apartment, gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. Iris smoothed her dress nervously, her fingers fidgeting as she checked her reflection in the window. Spending an afternoon alone with Grandma Martha was already nerve-wracking, but the thought of being under her scrutinizing gaze for hours made her stomach churn.“You’ve got this,” Carter had said earlier, his tone calm but insistent. “Just answer her questions honestly. If you say no, it’ll only make her more curious.”“Why does it feel like I’m heading into an interrogation?” Iris had replied, half-joking.“Because you probably are,” Carter admitted with a wry smile. “But just be yourself. She’ll come around.”Now, as the car door swung open, Iris took a deep breath and stepped in. Martha sat inside, poised and regal, her sharp eyes missing nothing. Her tailored suit and pearls screamed authority, but there was a warmth beneath her composed exterior, buried under layers of propriety.“Ah, Iris,
As they entered, the atmosphere shifted to one of sophistication and glamour. The walls were lined with exquisite pieces, and Iris felt a thrill as she wandered through the racks, touching fabrics and admiring styles. Carter hung back, letting her explore. “I’ll just be over here,” he said, his hands tucked in his pockets, a relaxed smile on his face. Iris started picking out items, feeling more confident with each piece she held. A striking dress caught her eye—deep green with a silhouette that hugged the waist before flaring out gracefully. “What do you think of this one?” she called over to Carter. “A yes,” he replied, a grin spreading across his face. “You should try it on.”As Iris slipped into the fitting room, her heart raced with anticipation. The deep green dress shimmered against her skin, and she felt a wave of confidence wash over her. She glanced in the mirror, admiring how the fabric hugged her curves perfectly.“Hey, how’s it going in there?” Carter called from outs
Carter strolled back over from the restroom, casual air about him as he grabbed a seat across from Iris. “Hey, how’s the food?” he asked, taking a bite of his sandwich, his demeanour relaxed. “It’s fine,” Iris replied, trying to sound upbeat despite the tight knot in her stomach. “Just trying to soak in the atmosphere.” Carter shrugged, his tone nonchalant. “Good. Do you know that black card? It’s mine. Figured you might want to splurge a little.” Iris blinked, momentarily taken aback. “Wait, what? You’re serious?” “Yeah, it’s just a card. Use it if you want,” he said, waving it off as if it were no big deal. “I’m not going to be using it anytime soon, anyway.” “Thanks, I guess,” Iris said, her heart doing a little flip. “I mean, I could use a bit of fun.” “Just don’t break the bank,” he quipped with a half-smile before finishing his sandwich. Feeling emboldened by his casual offer, Iris took a deep breath and stood up, ready to dive into the shopping adventure. “Let’s see
Iris stood in the living room, the bright morning sun casting a warm glow on the newly arranged furniture. She caught the shock on Carter's face and her heart raced. Was he impressed or horrified?“Carter? Is this... too much?” she asked, her voice wavering slightly.He stepped closer, eyes wide as he took in the fresh paint, cosy throw pillows, and the eclectic mix of decor she’d carefully curated. “No, no! It’s amazing! I can’t believe you did all this by yourself!”Relief washed over her. “Really? You like it?”“Like it? I love it! How did you manage all this while I was snoozing?” He laughed, running a hand through his hair.Iris shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. “I might have gone shopping early... and maybe emptied my bank account in the process.”Carter’s smile faltered slightly. “Wait, what do you mean ‘emptied’?”“Just that I used the money I made from selling my watch. It was worth a pretty penny, but…” Her voice trailed off, a touch of uncertainty creepin
Carter stepped out of the hospital, the sterile scent lingering in his nostrils, but his spirits were surprisingly light. Iris, on the other hand, trailed behind him, her face pale and shadowed.“I can’t believe I crushed his—” Iris began, but Carter cut her off with a chuckle.“Hey, you didn’t crush his dreams. Just his... well, you know.” He grinned, trying to lighten the mood.Iris shot him a glare that could freeze the sun. “This isn’t funny, Carter. I just ruined his life!”“Come on, it’s a hilarious story in retrospect!” He nudged her playfully. “You should’ve seen the look on his face. Priceless!”Iris rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a faint smile. “That doesn’t make it okay.”“Alright, alright. Let’s just get you some sleep.” He handed her a small bottle of sleeping pills. “This should help.”The next morning, the sun streamed through the curtains, illuminating Iris as she brewed coffee. She had a determined look in her eyes when Carter stumbled into the kitchen, hair to