Chapter 15

“I see everyone’s here,” he said, taking his seat at the head of the table. “Let’s eat.”They ate breakfast silently, only the sound of clinking cutlery could be heard.

Iris could feel the weight of their gazes on her, judging, measuring, finding her wanting. She picked at her food, her appetite nowhere to be found. After breakfast, Ryan stood up abruptly. “Iris, I need to talk to you.”

She followed him into his study, a room filled with dark wood and leather, exuding power and wealth.

Ryan closed the door behind them and turned to face her.“What do you want to talk about?” Iris asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “This…arrangement we have. It’s not working.”

Iris’s heart sank. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you need to play your part better,” Ryan said, his tone harsh.

“My father is watching us closely, and you’re not convincing anyone that this marriage is real.

”Iris felt a surge of anger. “How can I, when you treat me like this? Yo