Chapter 14 Iris said , " Since I've accidentally spilled all the food , could you two help me retrieve some potatoes from the basement ? " Benjamin and Elijah were hungry , so they nodded obediently and entered the basement with a flashlight . As soon as they entered , the sound of the door closing could be heard from behind them , followed by the sharp click of a lock . Their hearts immediately tightened , and they both saw the panic and fear in each other's eyes . Then , they began to pound on the door as they screamed , Let us out ! Ms. Jones , let us out … " Benjamin and Elijah seemed to have realized something as they suddenly started to beg desperately . " Ms. Jones , we promise that we'll listen to everything you say . Please let us out … " Their cries were met with silence . No matter how much they screamed or begged , no one came to let them out . In the end , their voices went hoarse from the screaming . Their flashlight , which was already out of battery , flickered once before they were enveloped in darkness . Benjamin and Elijah were hungry and terrified . Unable to hold back , they held each other and began to cry . After a long while , they finally calmed down , but they continued to hug each other tightly . In the darkness , Elijah suddenly asked , " Ben , do you think Mom was also this scared back then ? " Benjamin didn't answer his question , but the sound of his sobs filled the room again . The two of them were locked in the basement for three days before they were let out . Iris then gave them some leftovers , but the food was barely enough to fill their stomachs . Iris had dressed up like her usual beautiful self as she sat on the couch and smiled . However , Benjamin and Elijah's eyes were filled with fear when they looked at her . From that day onward , they were imprisoned in their homes , forced to live their lives like slaves . They were in charge of all of the chores during the day , and they had to sleep in the cold basement at night . After experiencing countless cuts and burns , the twins had finally learned to cook . One time , Benjamin had accidentally shattered a bowl . As a result , Iris ' sliced a long gash in his hand with the sharp shard . When Elijah accidentally ripped her dress when he had been washing the clothes , Iris made him stand in the backyard for three hours as punishment . Benjamin and Elijah also weren't allowed to make a single sound at home . One time , Elijah had sneezed , causing Iris to slap him across the face dozens of times . Such abuse went on for a long time , and they were so afraid of Iris that they'd tremble subconsciously whenever they heard her voice . One time , Benjamin and Elijah planned to escape while Iris was out . They had planned to climb over the wall in the backyard . However , they soon realized that the top of the wall was lined with thumbtacks . The thumbstacks ended up piercing their hands , leaving them bleeding and in pain . Another time , they had wanted to call Sebastian while Iris was taking a nap . However , they soon realized that the phone line had been cut . When they turned , they saw Iris looking at them with a smile . Benjamin and Elijah were forced to stand in the backyard as Iris whipped them with a metal stick for about an hour . As she whipped them , she used the most vile words to curse at them . Once she was tired , she dragged out a chair to the backyard and watched them . " Did you plan on snitching to your dad ? Do you think he'd care about you ? I'm just doing everything he asked me to do ! " Iris said . Benjamin and Elijah looked up in shock as their eyes were filled with disbelief . Iris smiled cruelly as she continued , " I'm about to marry your dad soon , and we'll have children of our own in the future . You two are just burdens that Eloise had left behind . It won't be long until Sebastian abandons you two . " Your only option is to please me . If I'm happy , I'll just pretend that I'm raising two dogs . However , if you dare to say anything behind my back , I'll kill you two . Your dad won't even blaine me for it ! " " That's impossible ! " Benjamin and Elijah shouted , their heart breaking . They felt like their beliefs had come crashing down . Elijah roared , " That's impossible . Dad loves us the most ! " Iris burst out in laughter . " You two are Eloise's children . Your dad doesn't love her , so why would he love the two of you ? Once I give birth to his child , my baby will be his most beloved child . " Benjamin and Elijah recalled the past ten years of their lives , and with crinkling despair , they realized that their dad truly didn't love their mom . Sebastian was always cold and would never care about Eloise . However , he treated Iris completely differently . He was gentle and patient with her , and he'd even smile at her . In fact , he would treat them much gentler than usual whenever Iris was around . Because of Sebastian's attitude and Iris ' flawless performance , they believed Iris and chased Eloise away . They had been fooled . Benjamin and Elijah's eyes were filled with hatred , and their eyes turned red . They charged at Iris like mad and began kicking and punching her . Iris ' pained screams filled the backyard when the door was kicked open . Sebastian rushed in and yelled , " Ben , Eli , what are you two doing ? " A * A q x W x 715