CHAPTER - 89

                                    

                                          
Iris POV:
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I blinked rapidly as my vision began to blur, each breath feeling like a struggle for air. 
The imposing doors of the mansion swung open before me, revealing a flurry of activity and a long line of cars parked in front of the house.
My legs trembled uncontrollably as I staggered into the house, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. 
I was certain I must have looked like a starving man, desperate and depleted.
Suddenly, Ares appeared before me, his lips moving soundlessly as my ears rang with a deafening roar. 
I couldn't make out his words, my senses overwhelmed by the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins and the burning sensation in my chest.
With a forceful push, I swung open the entrance door and stumbled into the hall, desperation bubbling up inside me. 
My breath came in short, uneven gasps as I scanned the room, desperately searching for the familiar face I had longed to see for nearly a month.
"What the fuck!" The exclamation tore through the haze that seemed to envelop me.
Hudson's voice cut through the confusion, his strong grip steadying me as I struggled to keep my balance. 
"Iris!" he called out, concern clear in his voice. His touch was grounding, but I was too disoriented to fully appreciate it. 
I pushed away his helping hand, stumbling forward with unsteady, erratic movements.
The hallways seemed to twist and turn as I fumbled through them, my hands trembling as I gripped the walls for support. 
The effort was exhausting, each step feeling like a battle against the fog clouding my vision.
I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again, hoping to fight off the worsening blur. 
Suddenly, a hand reached out and lifted me up, pulling me out of my daze. 
The gesture startled me, but the soothing voice that accompanied it began to cut through the chaos in my mind.
"Hey, hey, it's okay," the voice said gently. 
The familiar scent of him filled my nostrils, a fragrance that I had come to associate with comfort and security. 
It was the same scent that had been my solace every morning and night, easing my anxieties.
Numbly, I leaned my head against his shoulder, finding a moment of peace in the familiarity of his embrace. 
His arms held me securely, anchoring me amidst the tumultuous sea of my emotions. 
Gradually, I became aware that I was seated on something that was both hard and soft. 
My head hung down, supported by one of his hands cradling my neck. 
The carefulness of his touch was a silent promise of safety, a promise that I could cling to as I tried to regain my composure.
A wet sensation touched my lips, and without hesitation, I eagerly drank the water that was offered to me.
The cool liquid was a refreshing contrast to the dry, parched feeling in my throat. 
As the water flowed down, it seemed to bring with it a sliver of clarity, even though my surroundings remained a blur.
I blinked through the haze, making a renewed effort to focus on the world around me.