6. Welcome Home #3
But still, her slim frame did her no good when morning sickness reared its head. Iris's heart broke for her sister and unborn niece or nephew as she took in the hollowed cheeks and sickly skin no amount of foundation could hide.
The silence that followed Nash's words was dense, hanging heavily around them.
It felt like something tangible, like it was a breathing thing pressing down upon the room.
Stacy and Johnathon exchanged glances laced with disgust. Directed, not at Nash, but at the matriarch of the Blackworth family.
Being married into the family, neither truly knew their mother-in-law.
Iris had a feeling they were about to learn more than they ever wanted to.
Nash sat calmly after dropping his bombshell, her mother was flushed with anger. Glaring at Nash through narrowed slits. The man in question spared her not even one glance. Just reached forward and began eating his dinner. Slowly, everyone followed suit.
The clinking of cutlery against plates resumed, a hollow sound that did little to mask the unease that had settled over the dining room.
Each bite Iris took felt like a surrender, but Nash's hand on her shoulder, heavy and possessive, reminded her there was no space for defiance—not here, under the oppressive gaze of her family and the man who had no qualms about kidnapping and blackmailing her.
In truth, she was foolish to ever believe she would have a say in how her life would go. With every day she spent in New York, the further away Arizona felt. As if those three wonderful years were nothing more than a dream.
The air crackled with tension, the scent of roast beef and red wine mingling with undertones of discord. Every single person sat at the table was waiting for the next shoe to drop.
"Iris, I cannot believe you. I knew you were a mistake.
I can't believe you can be such an ungrateful, spineless excuse for a woman.
" Iris's fork hovered in mid-air, forgotten as her mother's harsh words sliced through the strained silence.
She tried to swallow past her tight throat, but emotion swelled within her, making it impossible.
"You should be grateful," her mother spat, eyes narrowed into slits of venomous intent.
"It was no small feat securing the affections of a man like Warrick Nash.
You managed to do so because of your father and me.
Our generosity and support. The only reason you have a life half as comfortable as you do is thanks to me.
The years I wasted turning you into someone fit for society were obviously wasted.
And this is the thanks you give me? Spiteful child.
" Her mother's eyes flashed with true malevolence.
Everyone once again lowered their silverware to the tablecloth. Meals forgotten. Everyone's faces, with the notable exception of her father's, showed their surprise. Iris felt numb. It was nothing she hadn't heard before.
"Mother," Ash admonished, shocked outrage peaking through his complete surprise at her attack. Before anyone else could interject, Nash was once again taking control of the conversation.
Nash's laughter boomed, abrupt and chilling, bouncing off the walls and causing her father to wince. Iris tilted her head as she watched this. Why was her father so jumpy? But she had no time to ponder. Nash had warned her he was on a warpath, and he was more than delivering on that promise.
"Grateful?" he echoed mockingly. "She should be grateful?
For what exactly?" Here he paused, taking a minute to swirl his wineglass and take a slow sip.
"For you selling her to me? I think not.
You should be grateful that I decided Iris was worth dealing with the likes of you.
Her family relations are the one negative in our relationship.
" His lip curled here, distaste evident in his tone.
"How dare-" her mother sputtered loudly, but Nash's cold words cut through them easily.
"You are the one who should be on her knees thanking your daughter for 'securing my affections', as you say.
You would be on the street by now if it was not for me stepping in.
Your husband was blissfully running his family company into the ground.
And we both know that." His gaze was piercing, the amusement in his voice a stark contrast to the cold fury in his eyes. "And now, everyone else knows as well."
Mr. Blackworth's face drained of color, his hands trembling almost imperceptibly against the fine linen tablecloth. The matriarch's lips pressed into a thin line, eyes hardening into glacial pools as she sat rigid in her chair.
Nash's words did nothing to curb her mother's anger. No, in truth, Iris knew that her mother was going to buckle down. Dig even deeper in her anger and disgust.
Iris felt so numb towards her mother's anger, she barely gave it a moment's brain power. Instead, his words were bouncing around in her mind.
What did he mean by her parents selling her? Did Nash buy her? How could that even be possible? She turned to settle wide eyes on the man she is going to be forced to marry. Her eyes were wide with fear. Anxiety raced down her spine.