Chapter 2 A thorn between two flowers

The soft rustle of linen and the faint scent of furniture polish filled the quiet laundry room as Leah Dean, sleeves rolled up to her elbows, straightened a folded bedsheet. She'd barely set it aside when she noticed Iris standing by the door, hands tucked behind her back, her face betraying a quiet storm.

Leah's brows furrowed. "What happened out there?"

Iris shrugged, but the pout on her lips gave her away. She didn't speak until Leah set the sheet down and walked over, kneeling to her level.

"Was it Mira again?" she asked gently.

Iris nodded.

Leah let out a soft sigh, brushing a curl away from her daughter's forehead. "What did she say this time?"

"She said I look like her again," Iris muttered. "She said a lot of mean things to me, she said I'll never be her."

"were u trying to be her?"

"I wasn't. I was just by the garden. She saw me first."

Leah shook her head, trying to stay calm. This wasn't the first time a complaint had come up involving Mira Hills. And truthfully, Iris wasn't at fault most times.

"Baby, listen to me," she said softly, cupping her daughter's chin. "That girl has always had her own way, and you don't have to make sense of everything she does. If she doesn't want to talk to you, that's fine. You don't have to go where she is, alright?"

Iris nodded, even though her heart didn't agree.

They left the mansion quietly later that evening. The sun was beginning to sink behind the golden rooftops of Nexalith's wealthier quarters as Leah and Iris boarded a rickety public taxi just outside the estate. Their neighborhood was modest but neat, far removed from the sprawling Hills estate.

Inside their small, two room flat, Leah warmed leftover stew on the stove while Iris sat on the mat, sketching with her half used colored pencils.

"Mum," she called after a while, not looking up from her drawing.

"Yes?"

"Why do I look like her?"

Leah paused mid stir.

"Like Mira?"

Iris nodded. "We're not sisters, but people always ask. Even she gets angry about it. Today she said I copy her face."

Leah chuckled dryly, sitting on the mat beside her. "You can't copy a face, love."

"Then why? We look the same. And I know she doesn't like it."

Her mother studied her for a moment, brushing her thumb over Iris's cheek. "Some people look alike. It happens. Maybe it's a sign that you're meant for great things too. Just because you're not born in a mansion doesn't mean you aren't special."

"But Mira hates it. Maybe she thinks I'm pretending to be her."

"She'll grow out of it," Leah said gently. "And if she doesn't, you'll grow past her."

Iris leaned into her mother's side, her little fingers twirling a thread from Leah's wrapper. "Do you think she'll ever like me?"

Leah gave her a small smile. "Maybe. But you don't need her to."

The next day was warm and slow, one of those quiet holidays when the city seemed to hold its breath.

Leah tied her scarf and packed her supplies into her cleaning bag. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Iris beamed, wearing her favorite pink sandals.

When they got to the Hills' estate, Leah went straight to work upstairs in the main hall. Before she left, she turned to her daughter and pointed sternly. "Don't go too far. Stay where I can find you."

"I will."

But of course, she didn't.

The lure of the garden was too strong.

Not long after, Iris wandered into the backyard, where she spotted Mira gliding along the tiled walkway with her bicycle, a smug smile on her face. The pink streamers on the bike handles fluttered in the wind.

Mira slowed when she noticed Iris, frowning slightly.

"You are here today?"

"I just came with my mum," Iris said softly.

"You always come with your mum."

Iris shrugged, trying not to care.

For a moment, Mira just stood there, staring at her. It was uncomfortable, the way she narrowed her eyes like she was analyzing a strange reflection.

"Why do you look like me?" Mira asked coldly for the upteenth time.

"I don't know," Iris replied honestly.

"Well, stop it," Mira snapped. "It's creepy. You even wear your hair like me now."

Iris touched her plaits. "I didn't mean to copy..."

"I don't like it," Mira said again, walking her bike closer. "And I don't want people thinking we're twins,get away from me please."

"We're not," Iris murmured, beginning to take a step back.

"Exactly," Mira hissed, then suddenly pushed the bicycle forward.

The front wheel rammed into Iris's stomach, and as she staggered, Mira shoved her with both hands.

Iris lost her balance, falling backward into the edge of a flowerbed where a broken metal rod stuck out of the stone border. The jagged tip scraped deeply into her back.

She screamed.

Mira gasped as she saw the blood seep through Iris's white dress.

"Iris?"

Iris cried out again, curling forward in pain.

Mira's face paled. "Mum! Mummy!!"

Her scream tore through the garden like an alarm.

Maids rushed out of the house. Evelyn Hills appeared moments later in a silk robe, her heels clicking against the concrete.

"What's going on?! Mira?!"

Mira pointed frantically. "She,she's bleeding! I didn't mean to she fell!"

Leah arrived at the same time, breathless and frantic.

"Iris!"

She ran to her daughter, eyes going wide as she saw the blood and the gash tearing through the fabric of her dress.

"Oh my God!" she gasped, gently cradling the girl. "What happened?!"

"I,I didn't do anything," Mira stammered, stepping behind her mother.

"Iris?" Leah asked, heart racing.

Iris opened her tear stained eyes and pointed weakly at Mira.

"She... she pushed me."

The staff fell silent. Evelyn's face hardened, but she didn't say a word to her daughter. She turned sharply.

"Someone take her to the clinic. Now."

"But"

"Mira, go inside."

"But Mum"

"Now."

The silence was deafening as Evelyn led her daughter away, not even glancing back at Leah or the crying child in her arms.