The next morning

The next morning Iris poured me a glass of milk hesitating like she had something to say. Claire, could you... not practice boxing at home? The staff say they're a little scared Worried that one day you might lose control and hurt someone I train quietly. No noise. I know But fists don't have eyes. Which staff member said that? Bring them here, I'll ask them myself. I took a sip of milk. I believe whatever you tell me but I need to know who said it. I'm not sure exactly who Someone just mentioned it in passing I set my glass down. No one mentioned it You made that up Iris blinked uncomfortably and swallowed hard You're trying to plant the idea in everyone's head that the person who trains boxing has violent tendencies Maybe that handprint from the first day really was me right? Why not just ask outright — Claire, are you going to hit me someday? She went silent. I stood up But if you keep making things up like this I might not be so sure anymore Alexander, sipping his coffee off to the side, paused mid-motion For once, he didn't say anything The old Vivian would have crossed the room by now In the afternoon, I passed by the living room Iris had her back to the hallway, on the phone Julian Claire's just from a small town she's never seen things like this Don't hold it against her Now she's the one feeling wronged? Claire grew up outside the family, her perspective is different I walked up behind her Iris caught me in the corner of her eye and hung up I set a voice recorder on the coffee table Go on, I didn't catch all of it Iris stared at the recorder, her lips going pale You're recording? If you're speaking up for me why be afraid of a recording? She said nothing, turned and went upstairs her steps twice as fast as usual Evening Julian showed up again carrying a bag He handed it to Iris, eyes full of smiles Iris took the bag and pulled out a limited- edition handbag Thank you, Julian She lowered her head shyly, pouting playfully Don't do this, Claire's still here I'm giving you a gift. What does that have to do with her? Nothing to do with me Though you called off our engagement yesterday and showed up at my house today with gifts seems like you're more interested in this family than I am You're the one who called it off, and you're the one running back here So which is it, calling it off, or switching targets? Julian's face stiffened flushing with embarrassment He turned and walked out Iris chased after him a couple steps then stopped turning back to look at me something crafty flickering in her eyes She smiled Claire, is the apple sweet? It's fine Then eat more of it She took a couple more steps up the stairs, then turned back After all, there isn't much in this house you get to just take for yourself She turned and went upstairs Footsteps at the door Iris leaned halfway in, smiling sweetly. Claire, does the gift fit? It's fine Good Dad's birthday banquet is in three days — don't be late Late at night, I went downstairs for water The kitchen light was on. Two people inside — Iris, with her back to the door, a servant standing across from her. The day of the banquet put it under her pillow Once it's found during the search, don't say a word Just keep your head down and stand there If Miss finds out— Iris pulled out her phone and turned the screen toward her — a transfer record, $50,000. Even if they do, my dad will believe me over anyone-else Once this is done, that's two years of your son's tuition And if you dare say no, you don't need to show up for work tomorrow I stepped back The stairs were unlit. In my pajama pocket, the recorder's red light glowed in the dark. Back in my room, I called Gabriel. Dad, is there anyone reliable in New York— There's someone Your cousin Adrian — he runs a security company in New York Pretty much all the banquet security in that area goes through him. I'll have him add you I have a cousin? He held you when you were a baby Claire, is something actually happening? Not yet But it's coming "Keep it in your back pocket then Whether you use it is up to you But you need people to know you're not standing there alone Oh — your Uncle Edmund's son in L City too You two should meet up sometime Soon after, a friend request came through. Richard's birthday was held in the great hall of Bennett Manor The living room was packed with guests Iris, in a custom navy gown, stayed at Richard's side making toast Sweet-tongued, she had several of the wives laughing She spotted me coming down the stairs and walked over with a glass of champagne looking me up and down Claire didn't the family have a new dress made for you? Why are you still wearing this one? Couldn't get used to it, or don't know how to wear it? The two wives beside her exchanged a glance Where's the new dress? The staff said it was sent to your room It didn't fit. Didn't fit? That was custom-made Do you know what occasion this is? Dad's fiftieth birthday You're standing in the hall dressed like this, with all the guests watching Alex that's enough Claire probably just isn't used to this kind of setting Before she finished, I turned and went back upstairs When I came down, I had the dress in my hands In front of everyone, I shook it open the stitching on the inner hem had been neatly unpicked — one push of a finger and it gaped open half a foot Custom-made I threw the dress onto the coffee table "So I tore up my own new dress and wore an old one to the party instead? Do I look like I have something wrong with my head? Silence spread around us Several guests stood with wine glasses in hand staring at the dress on the table Richard finally turned he glanced at the dress then at me Then he waved at the butler Take the dress away He pulled me aside, voice low Don't push forward today Sit somewhere in the corner Once the cake's cut I'll have someone call you over He turned to go greet the real estate developer Iris followed No one looked at the dress on the table anymore. Your daughter's really something, quite a looker He pointed at Iris Richard's hand paused mid-raise around his glass He didn't correct him I swirled the tea in my cup