Burning Ties

Chapter twenty-five

Iris POV

Just as I had predicted, the next couple days are spent in the same routine. Now that I've stopped being a bother to my brothers, they make no effort to see me. It's almost as if I don't exist to them anymore. That's fine, I guess. I was a fool to believe that I could mean enough for people to keep their promises to me.

But, I've decided that it's time I stop being a coward as well. Nothing great was ever achieved by people who never took risks; so, with Slater by my side, I walk out of the comfort of my room for the first time in over a week.

The hallways are eerily silent, and I don't think I ever really paid attention to the amount of noise my brothers made. Somehow, their voices made this mansion feel like a home because without their chattering, the house feels haunted.

"Where are they, Slater?" I murmur, turning slightly to face him.

"Depends, who do you wanna see first?" He asks, a hint of a smile in his voice even though his face is blank.

"Leandro." I reply with no hesitation. Slater smiles knowingly. Of course he knew who I'd want to see. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out.

"He's in his office, solnyshko." He says, and I nod before immediately turning and walking in the direction of Leandro's office. The door is closed, and a part of me thinks I should knock, but a much larger part of me tells me that if I knock, I might just bolt before I enter; so I choose to do the next best thing - barge into the office with no warning - my entrance causes Leandro to spring out of his seat, his posture tense before his eyes land on me and he immediately softens.

"Iris," He greets, his eyes shining with an emotion I can't read.

"HI, Leo" I smile, standing awkwardly at the door.

"Did you need something, Leggro?" He asks, breaking my heart a bit. Why does he think I need something? Do I usually only come to his office if I need something? I sigh internally before responding.

"Yes, my brothers."

"Did you think you lost us?" He asks, his brows furrowing.

"Well, yes. I haven't seen any of you in over a week, Leo."

"I see, we've been busy, Iris." He sighs, making my heart sink more. I'm not imagining the coldness in his voice. Did I lose my brother because I chose to trust my mother?

"Okay, I just wanted to see if you're okay, I guess." I say before walking out of the office and closing the door behind me. Slater remains silent, waiting for me to speak first so he can gauge my emotions.

"I'm okay, Slater." I mumble.

"No, you're not." He states, like he needs no confirmation that he's correct. "But, you're not going to give up, Iris. You're going to go and talk to at least one more brother before you retreat to your...cave again."

"And why would I do that? To let him break my heart too?"

"No, because you're going to try with Carmine instead of one of the other idiots." His response makes me sigh, but, I make my way to Carmine's room anyway, barging in just like I did Leo's office. His reaction, however is nothing like Leandro's. Carmine smiles the second he sees me; and before I even see it coming, I'm wrapped in his arms.