Iris, reflecting on her past, finds solace in the simplicity of words like "Prisoner," "Captive," and "Slave." As she transitioned from adolescence into adulthood, she realized how much she had lost along the way, most notably her sense of self. She was bound by the chains of Bratva's control, and he relentlessly taught her the harsh truth about who held the power over her life. "Regret," she whispers, "fills my heart for that fateful day when vengeance clouded my judgment, and he showed no mercy. I regret my rash decisions and countless other missteps. Yet, above all, I grieve for being reduced to a mere puppet in his grand scheme." Dimitrios, a figure of iron will, declares, "Mercy has no place in my code of conduct." He argues, "But remember, she is the offspring of an assassin, and her father, alas, is not here to face the consequences of her lineage." Copyright 2021-2022 by Irene Davison (Esperanza)
