Chapter 70. A Deal

Iris’s POV

“Haven’t you heard, Father?” I asked softly as I stepped into the study, my little daughter’s hand wrapped securely in mine.

She was growing up so fast and it amazed me how quickly she was becoming useful in moments like this.

He didn’t lift his head. “What’s that?” he murmured, flipping through the pages of his book like I was just background noise.

“Don’t tell me you’re still mad at me, Father. It’s been months already!” I said.

“If you have nothing important to say, Iris, I’m quite busy,” he replied, still not looking up.

“Father...” I walked up closer, my heels clicking softly against the floor. “I know you’re mad at me. I know everyone is mad at me. And I’ve said I’m sorry, haven’t I? How long do you want to keep being angry at your daughter? Your favorite daughter?”

He finally lowered the book to his lap but didn’t meet my eyes. “That was then. Not now. You disappointed me, Iris. I never believed you could let such an