After a full night of scrubbing windows, Iris was left confused and lost.
The mansion was massive — too massive. It didn't feel like a home; it felt like a cold, echoing public building. She wandered through the wide marble hallways, unsure where to go next. Her body ached, but more than that, she was scared. Too scared to ask the guards.
So she just kept walking.
She ended up outside in the garden — the only place that felt remotely safe. She sat in a corner, curled up by a patch of wildflowers. The garden was beautiful. Nature always made her feel calmer. Her eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she dozed off.
When she woke up, the scene around her had changed completely.
People were rushing everywhere.
Men were carrying boxes, loading them into trucks. Staff members — maids, guards, drivers — were filing out of the house, packing up, disappearing like smoke. It felt chaotic, urgent. Like everyone was trying to escape.
Iris stood there, frozen. Her eyes wide, heart pounding.
What was going on?
A man was giving orders. He looked important — like he was in charge of the whole operation. That's when Lucas saw her.
"What are you doing here?" he said, walking up to her. "The boss ordered a full evacuation. Everyone is leaving."
Iris blinked, confused. Her voice cracked.
"Wait... I can leave too? Just like that?"
Right then, Riven walked in.
He was dressed sharply, calm and powerful like always. His crimson eyes scanned the area like a hunter surveying his territory.
"Lucas, is everything clear?" he asked.
Lucas gave a quick nod. "Yes, sir."
Iris, standing nearby, instinctively took a small step back — trying not to be noticed. Trying to become invisible.
But Riven's eyes found her anyway.
He coldly stared.
Then he spoke, voice like ice.
"You can go now. But don't think I'm setting you free."
His eyes bore into hers. "I'll find you. You still owe me. You'll pay. Every. Damn. Penny."
Iris flinched. His words sliced through her like knives.
He turned to Lucas. "She's useless. Just get rid of her."
And with that, Riven walked off, vanishing into the chaos.
Lucas looked at her — this trembling girl, dirt-covered, in rags, barefoot.
"You can leave now," he said, pointing toward the front gates.
For a second, Iris froze.
Was he... serious?
He — Riven — the man who dragged her here, threatened her, terrified her — was just letting her walk out?
She stared at him, wide-eyed, lips parted, but no words came. Her brain couldn't catch up.
But her body didn't wait.
Before he could change his mind, before anyone could stop her, she moved. Fast. Silent. Almost like an animal fleeing a predator.
She walked out of the hallway, out the giant doors, and through the front gates.
Her feet hit the dirt road beyond the mansion — and only then did it hit her.
She was outside.
Free.
She stepped onto the dirt road. Barefoot.
The gravel stung her feet. Her clothes hung off her like worn-out fabric. She looked around — but there was nothing.
No people.
No buildings.
Just endless forest.
"...Where do I go now?" she whispered.
Her voice was so small, it barely left her lips.
"I don't know where my parents went. I don't even know where I am..."
Her chest tightened.
She kept walking. There was no other choice.
The road wound through the trees. It had been at least fifteen minutes now. The mansion was out of sight. She didn't know which direction led to safety. Her stomach growled. Her legs trembled. Her mind buzzed with panic.
Then—her foot caught on something sharp.
She winced in pain and stumbled. Looking down, she saw a gash along the side of her foot. Bleeding. Barely, but enough to make walking harder.
She looked up again.
The forest around her was deep. Darker now, as clouds covered the sun. No cars. No people. No sign of anything.
Her lips began to quiver.
"...Will I have to spend the night here? Alone? On the street?"
The fear hit her like a wave.
Hot. Crippling. Consuming.
Tears welled in her eyes.
She sat on the side of the road, arms wrapped around her knees.