The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Before going to plan the gathering and sit with Damien, Eloise made a stop to ask Jane for a favour.

Jane came to a stop before Iris’s door and knocked. "It is me, Jane," she announced.

Jane leaned towards the door in an effort to hear a sound from inside, but nothing could be heard. So, she knocked again, believing that Iris had not heard her the first time.

Again, there wasn’t a sound.

Jane took a deep breath and opened the door. "Excuse my rudeness," she said as she entered the chamber. "But since you did not lock the door, I have to assume you were waiting for someone to come to you."

"Zayne forgot to lock the door on his way out," Iris said, wiping her tears as she sat up. "I don’t want to be disturbed."

"I understand, and that is why everyone has been leaving you alone, but I think it is time that I offer you some company. I have been where you are once before, and that feeling consumes you more when you are alone," Jane said, afraid Iris would end up like her.

Iris looked at Jane and asked, "Did Eloise send you?"

"She did, but I am also concerned about you. We have gotten quite close, so I worry about you. I am sorry that you have lost your father," Jane said, pitying Iris.

"Don’t be," Iris replied, wiping away the last of her tears. "He committed an awful crime."

"But he’s still your father. Since you are crying over him, that means he was good to you, at the very least. I am not going to speak of the crime he committed, as this is not the setting. I am here to comfort you over the loss," Jane explained.

Jane walked to the bed and sat down beside Iris. "Is that why you did not want Eloise at your side? Will the two of you not get along now?"

"Of course we shall. I will always care for Eloise, no matter what. Our relationship will never change," Iris assured Jane. "It is just that if she were sitting beside me, I would feel the need to hold back my tears, and I cannot."

"Well, she had been lingering around your door before she came to me. The maids were whispering about it. I don’t think she minds that you mourn your father," Jane said, trying to keep the pair close.

"I know. She wants to comfort me, but it is a bit uncomfortable because I think of what he took from her, but I have so many memories of loving him. I can’t be with her now," Iris explained, her chest tightening with guilt.

"I think she would understand. You should have your time to mourn his loss and not think of what he did. Did you wish for him to see you get married? To know of your engagement?" Jane asked, trying to guide the conversation gently.

"I spoke a little of Zayne when I saw my father. I assured him that I was going to be well. Even if he hadn’t passed, he wouldn’t have been able to attend my wedding. I came to terms with that long before I met Zayne," said Iris.

"But it must have been comforting for him to know you are well. And your brother, he is married with a child, right? Your father got to know that, despite his ways, his children turned out well, and they will be fine," Jane said, trying her best to soothe Iris’s worries.

"Yes, he did. I wish he hadn’t been so caught up in greed, because I would love him by my side now. We have always spoken about him walking me down the aisle at my wedding. Now my brother will have to do it," Iris said, looking down at her lap.

Iris continued, "I am not on speaking terms with my mother. I don’t know how she is reacting to the news since, lately, she only cares about herself. She is alive, but it feels as though she is dead to me."

"I cannot imagine the pain you experience in feeling that way. It shall hurt now, but I assure you, it shall pass slowly. Especially since you have all of us who care for you," Jane said, reaching for Iris’s hand. "I locked myself away when my parents’ deaths occurred."

Iris looked up at Jane.

"I didn’t want to see my brothers. I thought hiding away would be better, but I felt most at peace when I went to them. They were the only ones in this kingdom who could understand the pain that I felt. I am thankful I had siblings at my side," Jane confessed, remembering those difficult days.

"It is unfortunate that there is so much loss around us. We should have our parents for much longer. They should be able to meet their grandchildren and see the life we have made for ourselves," Jane said, staring at the wall ahead.

"I’m sure your parents are looking down upon you, seeing the young woman you are growing to become," Iris said, comforting Jane.

"I’m sure it will be the same with your father," said Jane.

Iris chuckled, as it was unlikely. "I do not believe he shall look down upon me."

"There’s nothing wrong with thinking he is in a better place. Since you find difficulty in speaking of your father to Eloise, then you can come to speak to me. I shall listen and not judge what you speak of," Jane promised.

"Then I could do the same for you. Whenever you want to speak of your parents, but you don’t want to go to your siblings or Eloise, you can come to me," Iris said, her mood slowly changing for the better.

"I know that I said before that I am cheering for you and Zayne, but now I am against it. I am going to hate it when you leave the estate to go be with him," Jane confessed. "Would it be unusual if you married him, but resided here with us?"

Iris chuckled, now grateful Jane came to her. "I don’t think Zayne would like it, and I would find it odd to be away from my husband. I will be visiting the estate, and you are always welcome to come see me. I shall miss your company."

"Indeed you shall," Jane said, taking the moment to boast. "I wanted to make you laugh."

"And you have succeeded. I think I have hidden away in this chamber long enough, and in the darkness. I think Zayne is rubbing off on me," Iris said, noticing the darkness surrounding them. "Would you be so kind as to help me bring light into the chamber?"

"I would be delighted to," Jane answered and stood up to help Iris.