Chapter 5

A chill ran up from her feet, and Iris suddenly burst with incredible strength, grabbing the vase on the bedside table and smashing it hard on the drunkard's head. “Ah!” The man let go in pain, and she took the opportunity to rush out of the room. The front desk saw her disheveled clothes and bruises all over her body, immediately called the police, and gave her a new room. When the police arrived, Iris answered their questions mechanically, her entire being drained of spirit. The next day, in the hotel corridor, Iris and Darius both opened their doors at the same time. “Why did you change rooms?” Darius frowned, his gaze fixed on her pale face. “Did you call so many times last night because something happened? I went to bed early and didn’t answer.” Iris’s heart ached sharply. Charlotte’s breathless gasps and Darius’s muffled groans from the phone seemed to still echo in her ears. “Nothing,” she said softly, turning to leave. Darius grabbed her arm. “I’ll take you home” “No need,” she pulled her hand away. “We’re not going the same way. You’re taking Charlotte home, and I have my own place to go.” Darius froze, then explained again, “I know I've neglected you these past few days, but I'll be back with you soon. If I don't give in to her, she'll threaten to kill herself again... Please don't be angry.” “I'm not angry,” Iris said calmly, looking at him. “I won't be angry anymore.” She turned and left, not noticing the complicated expression on Darius's face behind her. Returning to the empty villa, Iris began to handle the second matter of her affairs. She spent the entire day sorting through all the gifts Darius had given her over the years. The limited-edition Chanel bag he had flown to Paris specifically to buy for her; the custom jewelry engraved with their initials; the rare vinyl record he had waited in line for three days to secure as a birthday gift… Each item carried the sweet memories of their past. Now, she packed them all into cardboard boxes, labeled them “Worthless Gift Packages,” and sent them to the auction house. “All of these start at 0.01 yuan,” she told the staff. “Name the package ‘Worthless Gift Package.’” At the auction site, Iris had just sat down when she saw Darius leading Charlotte in. “Iris, Darius brought me here to buy a birthday gift,” Charlotte said with a sweet smile, “I didn’t expect to see you again. What a coincidence.” Iris gave a faint “Hmm” and turned her gaze toward the auction podium. Throughout the auction, she watched as Darius bid on one extravagant piece of jewelry after another for Charlotte, then gently helped her try them on, just as he had once done for her. Strangely, as she watched this, her heart no longer ached. Perhaps she had truly become numb. “Next up is today's final item—the ‘Worthless Gift Package’!” When the staff brought out the familiar gift box, Iris saw Darius’s expression change instantly, and the entire hall erupted in commotion and speculation. “Are you crazy? Any single item in there is worth a fortune!” “Starting bid of 1 dollar? Isn't this a free gift?!” The bidding calls echoed continuously. Iris watched the numbers on the screen fluctuate, then calmly stood up and left. She didn't see that, in the moment she turned away, Darius suddenly raised his paddle and snapped up the entire lot at highest price. “Iris!” As soon as she stepped out of the auction house, Darius caught up and grabbed her wrist: “What do you mean? These were all gifts from me. Why are you selling them so cheaply?” “What you gave me is mine,” Iris said calmly, looking at him. "I can dispose of it however I like. Go back. If your girlfriend sees us arguing here, she’ll get angry.” Darius thought she was still sulking and sighed helplessly: “I’ve told you, I’ll be back with you after spending another month with her. I only love you. Don’t be naughty.” “Is that so?” Iris suddenly smiled, and that smile made Darius’s heart tremble. “Do you really only love me?” Darius’s expression changed slightly, just as he was about to speak— “Fire! Run!” A scream suddenly echoed through the auction house. Darius’s face turned pale. Remembering Charlotte was still inside, he immediately pushed Iris aside and rushed back in. Iris was knocked to the ground, stumbling and falling. Before she could get up, she was trampled by the panicked crowd fleeing the scene. Her wrists, shoulders, back... countless feet stomped heavily on her body. “Cough cough...” A mouthful of blood spurted out, and she blacked out completely. In her final moments, she faintly saw Darius carrying Charlotte out of the burning building, not even sparing a glance in her direction.