Chapter 331: Bitter truth [2]
"I had hoped that in staring at these walls day after day, you would have some sense to look over your actions and feel regret. Your brother is gone, and he is never coming back. Eloise never had the chance to say goodbye, which I am so fortunate to have," said Iris, her voice trembling with restrained anger.
"Is that why you have come? Because you think I am dying? I shall not perish here," Clive declared, but he was not fully confident.
"All colour has drained from your face. You are pale, and this room reeks of blood. If you think this wound shall grant you freedom, then you are sadly mistaken. This prison shall be your grave," Iris replied, sharing the bitter truth.
Clive turned to her, startled by how she spoke to her ill father. "You have turned rotten."
"I suppose I am every bit of my parents, destined to rot in due time. Did you truly expect us to ignore all that you did? That we would believe your scheme was right?" Iris asked.
"I did what I needed to keep you fed. To clothe you in the dresses you adored and to find you a suitable man to wed," Clive argued. It was no easy task being a father and having to provide in this harsh world.
"Had you spoken to me, I would have told you that I didn’t want the family in debt for such things. We could have focused on food, since we had a roof over our heads," Iris fired back. "If you wanted money, then you should have worked."
"Work was not as it used to be. You do not understand it since you are a woman. You will never know the burden and ache of providing for a family. Ask your brother how it is," Clive said, his gaze shifting to Reece for support.
Reece’s brow furrowed, uncertain if his father realised he had a family of his own.
"No. I know the burden of being sold off to the first gentleman who could rescue us from debt. You borrowed so carelessly because you had me to marry off to cover those debts. I once thought so highly of you," Iris said, disappointed. "But now, I despise what you have become."
"Iris," Reece interjected, fearing she had gone too far.
"No, Reece. You told me to speak my mind because this might be my only chance. Even if he survives, I will not return unless he admits his faults. He knows what he did," Iris said, her eyes fixed on Clive.
She could see guilt flickering in his eyes, though stubborn pride kept him silent.
"Iris, I have already been arrested for stealing. Why would you spoil yourself by having a father branded a murderer?" Clive asked, seeing no need to add more crimes to his name.
"Do not pretend this is for my sake. You are only trying to escape your true punishment. Why must you be this way?" Iris demanded, turning sideways to hide her tears.
"I think we should calm ourselves," Reece urged. "Father, you must understand Iris’s pain. We were both close to Eloise and our uncle, and then you did this-"
"So you believe as well that I killed him. That I dared to kill my younger brother," Clive said, clutching the blanket with trembling hands. "He was my little brother."
"Father," Reece sighed, unwilling to fall for his father’s lies. "All signs point to his death being your doing. It is time to stop pretending. You are gravely injured and will not survive long in these conditions," he said, glancing around the cell.
"He was my little brother," Clive repeated, this mere sentence haunting him.
"Yes, he was your little brother. The one who trusted you to protect his daughter. The one who came whenever he could to help you. The one who smiled whenever you were near," Iris said, stepping closer.
Clive turned away, unable to bear it. "Stop it," he begged, desperate to be freed from the pain.
"You two were all each other had. No siblings left, no parents alive. So why? Why take his life? Why kill the one sibling you had? Was his money worth more than his bond with his daughter?" Iris demanded ro know.
Clive longed to stand up to silence Iris, but his body betrayed him. He was left to listen to the words that hurt him more than his wound.
"Reece, I don’t want to speak to her. If these are my last moments, I want them with those who care for me. Fetch your mother," Clive said, dismissing Iris.
Iris wiped her tears and let out a laugh full of bitterness. "How unfortunate for you that your wife refuses to see you. She was the first one alerted of your state, yet she neither told Reece nor came herself. Are you even aware she burned our home?"
Clive’s eyes darted to Reece for an answer.
"It is true," Reece confirmed. "She will not come, but we have. This is all so disappointing. I cannot let you lash out at Iris when I share her feelings. What you did was wrong, and nothing you say now will change my mind."
"I did so much for you," Clive whispered, wounded by his son’s rejection.
"And I shall never forget the good you did. You were a good father, but an awful brother and uncle. There is nowhere left for you to go. Why not admit your actions and die without this burden on your conscience?" Reece urged, gripping his father’s hand.
"I have faced this for weeks," Clive murmured, his voice low and broken. "I cannot escape his face. If I could take it all back, I would."
Iris smiled faintly at the turn of events. She had tried so desperately to force her father’s confession, yet Reece had drawn it out with ease.
She knew her parents would never forgive her for siding with Eloise, so speaking further was pointless.
"I can only live if I let go," Iris whispered, realising her position. "I will leave the two of you to your goodbyes. I shall wait outside, Reece."
"Iris, wait!" Reece called, chasing after her. "You must stay."
"I am not wanted here, so I shall leave. I have seen his state, and it is enough. Excuse me," Iris said, sparing one last look before walking away.