Page 129 of Carnal Games

When I return after a quick shower, my dinner plate is set and waiting at the dining table. Fresh and hot. Until now, I’ve forgotten what a home-cooked meal looks like.

I assume Iris has gone to bed when I don’t see her around. Until I hear her soft voice coming from the living room. Sounds like she’s talking on the phone.

Is it Nathan? Who else will she be calling late at night?

Tension coils in my muscles. Instead of satisfying my curiosity by eavesdropping, I distract myself by focusing on my meal. It irks me that she must do this for Nathan too. Take care of him before they share a bed, where he spends hours taking care of her other needs. The image of his hands on her makes me bristle with unreasonable rage.

My mood begins to sour as my mind goes wild.

I’ve just sat down when she appears in the doorway sans the apron she wore earlier.

Don’t ask.

Don’t ask.

Don’t—

“Who was it?” I ask casually as I pick up a spoon.

Her soft footfalls come closer. Her scent invades my lungs a second before she pulls out the chair next to me and sits down. “My mom.”

The relief in my bones is instantaneous.

Bringing the plate closer, I spread the rich curry over the rice. Mixing it, I scoop it up and take a bite, suppressing a groan at the fantastic taste of herbs and spices. I’ve eaten the best and most unique cuisine from all parts of the world at Michelin star restaurants, yet none of them compare to the simple dish Iris cooked. Her hands are magic.

I listen to her talk as I have another bite, my appetite becoming ravenous.

“We talk every night,” Iris shares. “I missed her call last night, so she was a bit worried. I had to assure her everything was fine and I fell asleep, which isn’t a lie.”

I glance at her. “You haven’t told her about the attack?”

“I don’t want to stress her out. Besides, she’ll demand I come home and never let me out. Or she’ll want to come live with me. I don’t want to burden my parents more by dumping my problems on them.” Voice almost a whisper, she says, “They’ve been through enough.”

The sadness in her tone makes me immediately want to fix whatever is troubling her. Despite the warning in my head saying I should maintain my distance, not tangle myself deeper with her more than I already have, I ask, “What happened?”

Surprise flickers on her face before quickly vanishing. Tucking the strand back that I ached to caress, she replies, “Last year was rough on my family. Mydadu, who lives with us, had a stroke that left the right side of his body paralyzed. It put a strainon my parents, both emotionally and financially. Now, all of us live with this constant fear that we can lose him at any moment.”

A lone tear falls down her cheek. She wipes it away before I can reach it. I’m not shocked she comes from a tight-knit family that loves each other so unconditionally.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Iris,” I say genuinely, even though I don’t understand her pain. The loss of my grandfather hit me hard too, but it was so long ago that I don’t remember much. However, what happened in the aftermath of his sudden passing, those memories I remember vividly. They changed the trajectory of my life. “How is he now?”

“He’s confined to bed ever since his paralysis, which is hard on him since he’s never depended on anyone. My dad and mom look after him.” Burying the sorrow, she says, “Thanks to you hiring me, plus the extra salary I’m earning from my internship, I can look into hiring an at-home nurse to help my mom.”

Without hesitation, she selflessly admits to spending all the money on helping her family. I see the utter glee and pride in her eyes at being able to help her parents. She’s too young to be shouldering such big responsibilities.

Bringing her into my world, I’ve complicated her life more and endangered her.

Perhaps my father was right; I’m a curse that taints everyone’s life.

Nevertheless, I’ll be damned if I destroy Iris’s completely.

“I know a retired major general who runs a home health care service for ex-soldiers. I’ll talk to them tomorrow and arrange for a nurse to start right away after you talk to your parents. Though I’ll suggest asking your grandfather first if he’ll be comfortable. Some patients resist, not wanting to give up control and admit they need help.”

Her hand flies to her mouth, gaze softening, and she gasps. “Oh my god! Really?” A pause. “Wait.” She frowns. “Can I afford them? But I won’t get my salary for another week.”

“You don’t need to spend your salary. Your health insurance at the firm will cover it,” I lie. I plan to hire the health care provider myself so her grandfather can receive the best care, even long after she’s gone in five months.

“Thank you, Kian,” she whispers with a sheen in her eyes.

---