One afternoon, after a group discussion, Fernando mentioned a few recent robberies in the area and offered to walk Iris back to her apartment. She didn't refuse.
They chatted casually as they strolled toward her building.
A luxury car was parked out front, and from a distance, Iris could see Charles leaning against it, talking on the phone.
Since their last encounter at her door, when she'd called him "brother," Charles hadn't shown up.
Iris had even begun to wonder if he had moved out.
Seeing him now brought a wave of unexpected emotion—something that felt like... grievance.
Charles was on his phone, occasionally rolling his neck.
Then he noticed Iris walking toward the building with Fernando by her side. Fernando was holding her books, while she had a beautiful white rose in her h
