Chapter 5

Ryan sprinted down the stairs, Sarah's words echoing in his mind. "Ma Ivy came in with some policemen to get her arrested..." He barely heard the rest, rushing to see for himself.

As his feet missed a step, Ryan plummeted to the ground, his body crumpling at the bottom of the staircase.

"Sir Ryan!" Sarah screamed, running to his side.

Ryan groaned in pain, his words barely audible. "My he...hea..." His voice trailed off as his vision blurred, and his eyes fluttered shut.

"Ryan! Ryan!" Iris cried as she rushed to him, cradling his head. "Someone, please call an ambulance!" Her voice cracked with panic. "Sarah, now!" she screamed, her hands trembling as she held Ryan close.

"This is all your fault!" Ivy stormed into the room, eyes flashing with anger. "Get away from him, you-" She shoved Iris aside, her voice laced with venom. "Ryan, wake up! Please!"

The sound of the approaching ambulance pierced the tense air, and the EMTs quickly loaded Ryan into the stretcher. Iris made a move to enter the ambulance, but Ivy blocked her path, pushing her aside.

"Stay away from my brother!" Ivy hissed, climbing into the vehicle and slamming the door in Iris's face.

Tears burned in Iris's eyes as she watched the ambulance drive off. Determined not to be left behind, she rushed inside the house, grabbed a set of car keys, and ran back outside. After a frantic press of the key fob, the nearest Benz blinked its lights, and Iris jumped into the driver's seat. She floored the gas, tailing the ambulance as it sped toward the hospital.

When they arrived, Ryan was wheeled into the VIP emergency room, Ivy staying close while Iris was left behind, barred from entering.

She sank into a chair in the waiting area, her heart pounding in her chest. "Please, God," she whispered, her hands clasped together in desperation. "Let him be okay." Exhaustion overtook her, and soon she drifted into an uneasy sleep.

"Iris, where is my son?" A sharp voice pulled her from her slumber.

Iris jolted awake to find Mrs. Rose standing over her, impatience etched across her face. "He's... he's in the emergency room," Iris stammered, her voice weak from worry.

Mrs. Rose's eyes narrowed, filled with accusation. "What exactly happened to my son?" she demanded. "Are you responsible for this?"

"I-" Iris tried to explain, but the words caught in her throat. 

"Rose, calm down," Mr. Kendrick's voice interrupted, his tone stern yet controlled. "She's clearly stressed."

"I don't care!" Mrs. Rose snapped, her lips curling into a sneer.

Before Iris could respond, the doctor emerged from the emergency room, his expression calm.

"Doctor Parker," Mr. Kendrick greeted him. "How is my son?"

"Mr. Kendrick, your son sustained a minor injury. He collapsed due to the impact on his head, and he has a slight fracture in his ankle. But he'll be fine after some rest."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the room as Ivy stepped out of the emergency ward.

"Mum, he's okay," she confirmed. "He's resting now."

But then her eyes found Iris, and her expression hardened. "And what are you still doing here, you filthy stripper?" Ivy spat, her voice dripping with malice.

Iris's mouth opened in shock. "What...what are you talking about?"

"Oh, don't play innocent with me!" Ivy stormed forward, jabbing a finger at Iris. "You caused this, you dirty little gold digger!”

"Ivy!" Mr. Kendrick's voice boomed, silencing the room. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"Dad," Ivy said, turning to him with a triumphant smirk. "This woman isn't who she says she is. She's not some fashion designer-she's a stripper, a manipulative liar who tricked Ryan into marrying her."

"Ivy!" Iris gasped, her heart hammering in her chest. "That's not true!"

"Oh, it's true," Ivy replied smugly. "I did some digging and found out everything. You think you could fool us?"

Iris stood there, speechless, her heart sinking as Ivy's words echoed in her mind. How could Ivy have discovered her past?

Mrs. Rose turned to her, fury blazing in her eyes. "Is this true?"

Iris was too stunned to respond.

Before anyone could say more, the nurse appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Ryan is awake now."

They all rushed into the room, leaving Iris behind in the hallway. She could hear them, could feel their stares burning into her.

When she finally gathered the courage to enter, Ryan was lying in bed, a bandage wrapped around his head. Ivy sat beside him, gripping his hand tightly.

"How are you feeling, son?" Mrs. Rose asked.

Ryan winced, his hand reaching for his head. "I'm fine, Mom. My head just hurts a little."

Ivy leaned closer, her voice soft and pleading. "Ryan, I was so scared. I thought I'd lost you."

"What happened?" Ryan asked, his eyes flicking to Ivy, then to Iris. "What was all the shouting about earlier?"

Ivy straightened up, her face hardening. "Ryan, why didn't you tell us you married a stripper?"

Ryan's brow furrowed, and he turned to Iris. "What is she talking about?"

Iris felt her knees buckle, but she stood her ground. "Ryan..."

"Oh, can you explain?" Mrs. Rose cut in. "Explain how you've been lying to us this whole time?"

Ryan's eyes darkened.

Iris's throat tightened. "It's not like that..."

Ryan turned away, his face hardening. …..

Tears welled up in Iris's eyes. "But, Ryan, I didn't….

"I don't want to hear it," Ryan snapped. "Just... get out." He said knowing fully well everything wasn't Iris fault 

Iris's world shattered. She felt like she was sinking into darkness, her heart breaking into pieces. Without another word, she fled the room, the door slamming shut behind her.

Ryan was discharged, and they both went home. Iris tried helping Ryan up to his room when they got home, but Ryan bluntly refused.

“Call me Peter, " Ryan said to Iris.

 "But I can help you to your room.”

“ I say call me Peter”. Ryan raise d his voice.

“Okay, Iris said.

She called Peter, and Peter came in immediately. “Come help me to my room”.

 Peter immediately rushed to his aid and took him to his room…

Exhausted, Iris went to her room, and as soon as her body touched the bed, she zoomed off to Dreamland.

Hours later, Ryan sat in his father's study, his ankle throbbing, but his mind elsewhere.

"Dad," Ryan said, his voice filled with anticipation. "You said you wanted to talk about something important."

Mr. Kendrick nodded. "Yes, son. It's about the future of the company."

Ryan's pulse quickened. Finally, this was it. The moment he had been waiting for.

"I've been thinking about passing the company down to you," Mr. Kendrick continued. "But after everything that has happened..."

Ryan leaned forward, heart pounding. "What do you mean?"

"There has been a change of plans, Ryan," Mr. Kendrick said gravely. "I'm not sure you're ready for the responsibility yet.”