Chapter 41

Ryan sighed heavily outside the door. “I didn’t mean for things to happen this way. I was drunk, but that’s no excuse. Just...please, talk to me.”

“No,” she replied. “I need time. I need space.”

Ryan stood there for a moment longer before walking away. Iris listened to his footsteps fade down the hallway.

She felt a mix of anger, sadness, and confusion. How could she continue living in the same house with a man who had taken something so precious from her?

She buried her face in the pillow again, the memories of her dreams haunting her. She had been so close to achieving something, to building a life she could be proud of. Now, everything felt tainted.

Memories of her dreams and aspirations flashed before her eyes. "I thought life was about growing up, finishing school, getting a job, and saving enough money to open my own fashion house," she murmured. "Fashion has been my passion since I was a little girl.”

Flashback*********************

Years ago, Iris was a bright-eyed ten-year-ol