FALLING, FALLEN [h.s]

quarante-neuf

𝖣𝖾𝖼𝖾𝗆𝖻𝖾𝗋 2021
𝖯𝖺𝗋𝗂𝗌, 𝖥𝗋𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾
𝖨𝗋𝗂𝗌 𝖼𝗁𝗂𝗅𝖽𝗁𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝗁𝗈𝗆𝖾

"Let me see it!" Rhea said excitedly, grabbing Iris's left hand as their mother leaned in beside her, gushing over the ring.

The diamond caught the light, glimmering brightly as Benjamin stood nearby with a proud smile. He pulled Alcaeus into a quick bro-hug, accepting his congratulations with an easy confidence.

Iris smiled too-but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

She knew she should be happy. This was supposed to be one of the best moments of her life. But instead, something in her chest felt tight, unsettled. Benjamin's moods had always been unpredictable-one day he was warm, loving, perfect... and the next, distant or irritated over something she couldn't quite understand.

And now she had said yes.

She wasn't sure if it had been the right choice.

"We should eat already before the food gets cold," their dad said simply, his tone calm but firm.

Iris glanced at him, a flicker of gratitude crossing her face. "Dad's right," she said quickly, forcing a brighter tone. "Come on, we have all day to look at the ring."

She gently pulled her hand back and followed behind him toward the table.

Her father didn't ask to see the ring. He hadn't congratulated them either.

He just... moved on.

Iris noticed, of course. She always did. He had never really clicked with Benjamin from the beginning, and though he never said anything outright, his quiet distance spoke volumes. Still, he tolerated him-for her sake.

And she loved him for that.

As she reached the table, Benjamin suddenly wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her back against him. His voice dropped low as he whispered into her ear, his tone soft but possessive.

"I love you... forever and ever."

Iris's smile returned automatically, almost like a reflex.

"I love you too," she replied.

But even as she said it, her fingers lightly brushed against the ring-cold, heavy, and suddenly impossible to ignore.

𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗈𝗇 𝗂𝗇𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗆!