CHAPTER 106: 106-I NEED TO RUN AWAY AGAIN

Iris:

He lifted his head and stared into my eyes.

"Why did you not say anything in the past?" he wondered.

The minute he asked that, my body went slightly numb.

"Because I was trying to keep peace. I did not want you to turn against them," I replied, although I could already feel my own lies getting in the way.

"I asked you so many times. You used to swear the bruises were from training on the ground. But now you say my family abused you. So which one is it?" he questioned. "Just because you say one thing and then say another does not make me believe it, Iris. The same way you cannot believe me, I cannot trust you either. I have far too many reasons not to, while you have only one incident," he hissed, pointing at me.

For some reason, the way he behaved made it seem as if he was judging me harshly. The look in his eyes also told me he was questioning my entire character.

"Well, I am not telling you this because I want your support or anything," I hissed back as my own ego pushed forward. "I am only letting you know because when you decide to take my children with you, I hope you are responsible enough to keep an eye on them and not let them be alone with your family," I muttered, my fist clenching.

Before he could speak again, I added, "And I do not care what you think of me. I am warning you to keep my children safe, because I will not accept a simple apology if anything happens to them." I warned him, and I noticed how angry he looked.

Before he could strike back, a voice echoed through the living room, pulling both of our attention.

"Daddy!"

It was Amy, rushing in with her little pajamas, her hair unkempt. She had just woken up and was still rubbing her eyes as she ran with her small arm raised, moving across the couch to hug her father’s leg. He shifted instantly, his attitude changing as he smiled and lifted her into his arms. She looked so tiny against him.

"Did my daughter sleep well?" he asked her with a smile, while I folded my arms and rolled my eyes.

"I did, and I am very happy to see you," Amy replied cheerfully, placing her head on his shoulder. He adjusted his coat while holding her with one arm and slipped his other hand into his pants pocket.

"If you have such a problem, you can come and stay in the same mansion while they are there," Kash offered, as if he were doing me a favor. I wanted to snap at him, but it was actually a reasonable idea. I would rather be there myself than let my kids stay alone with his family.

"I will go get her ready," I said, raising my arms for Amy to come to me.

"Where are we going?" Amy asked, lifting her head from her father’s shoulder.

"You are going to meet my mother and my sister, your aunt," Kash explained as he brushed her cheek.

Amy pouted, and her reaction left both Kash and me confused.

"No. They are bad people. They used to hurt Mommy. Daddy, they kicked Mommy out of the house." Children never know when to stop, and as the words left her mouth, my heart tightened in my chest while Kash’s head snapped toward me.

"Come on, Amy, you have to get ready." I gently held her arms, guiding her out of Kash’s hold and placing her on the floor. "Go wake up your brother, and then Scarlett will come and get you both ready." I patted her back softly, and when I straightened to look at Kash, I could tell he was not pleased.

"You are bad-mouthing my family in front of my children. Seriously, Iris? How many layers do I have to peel to see the real you?" Kash snapped at me. For some reason, his words hurt far more than I expected, and everything became clear. His confused stares, his judgmental posture, he thought very little of me.

"And then you lied to them that my family kicked you out. You left on your own. You texted me. You made the decision to leave," he hissed, continuing to glare at me. At this point, I knew that if I told him they had kicked me out, he would not believe it. He had not believed anything else either.

And it was not entirely his fault. It was mine. I had painted such a perfect picture of his family that now, when I said anything different, it seemed as if I was contradicting myself out of anger.

"I will go get the kids ready." That was all I said as I wandered away. I felt hopeless and helpless because I could not even defend myself. What was I supposed to tell him? Nothing. My mother had warned me to keep things as they were, so that was what I would do.

Soon my brother would get the herb and heal. And once my child was safe from my brother’s pain, I would leave. It felt like the right moment now. Things had grown worse between me and Kash.

I went inside and got my children ready. Amy, for some reason, was extremely excited to meet them, while Colin did not share the same enthusiasm. And then there was me. I felt conflicted.

"Okay, kids, listen. Before we go, I want to tell you something. Do not take food from anyone else until Mommy tells you to eat. Do not drink anything unless Mommy gives it to you. And you are not supposed to go anywhere alone with anyone, okay?" I warned them, mostly watching Amy, since she seemed more likely to make mistakes, while Colin appeared more in control of his emotions.

"Do not worry, Mommy. I will keep an eye on her," Colin replied, making me proud.

"Okay, kids, ready to go meet your other side of the family?" Kash stepped in, smiling at the two as they rushed from their beds to be carried by their father.

I turned around, and Kash and I shared a brief, lingering glance before he turned away and motioned for me to follow him. I just wanted all of this to end.