Five days had passed since Esme and Rowan’s wedding, and during that time, they hadn’t seen eye to eye once.
Esme had tried everything possible to avoid him, and her evasive tactics had actually worked for five days straight.
Today, however, things took a turn.
Esme stepped out of her room looking fresh, dressed, and ready to go out.
Rowan usually left early in the morning, but as she walked downstairs, she found him sitting on the couch with another woman.
Esme’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I thought he’d left already,” she thought.
“Why is he still here, and who is that?” The woman glanced up, her face lighting up with a warm smile the moment she spotted Esme.
She immediately stood up and walked over.
“Hey!
You must be Esme!” Rowan turned in his seat to look at her.
Feeling completely lost, Esme flicked her gaze back and forth between him and the stranger.
Before Esme could process the situation, the woman pulled her into a sudden, enthusiastic hug.
Catching her breath when the woman finally released her, Esme listened as she offered a quick apology.
“I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it to your wedding!
I had some business deals and other commitments to handle.” Rowan leaned back, his voice flat as he addressed her.
“Rhea, let her be and don’t stress her.” Esme shot him a disdainful glare, but Rhea just offered a playful grin in response to his tone.
“So strict!” Turning back to Esme, she caught her by the arm and dragged her over to sit right beside Rowan.
Feeling stiff and completely out of her element, Esme reluctantly complied.
Rhea settled back into her original seat across from them.
“Oh gosh!
You are really pretty!
You really outdid yourself, Rowan.” Esme darted a side-glance at Rowan.
When he returned her gaze, she immediately snapped her head away, screaming internally.
“I don’t want to be here.
Ugh!” “Well, since he clearly won’t introduce me, hi!
I’m Rhea Bram, Rowan’s childhood friend,” Rhea offered warmly.
“We’ve been friends since we were six.” Esme raised an eyebrow at that.
Rhea let out a soft chuckle at her reaction.
“I saw that look!
You must be wondering how on earth we became friends.
Trust me, he got lucky!” Sitting next to Rowan, Esme’s anxiety spiked.
She began wringing her hands and fidgeting with her legs, pulling out her phone to stare blankly at the screen.
Noticing her visible discomfort, Rowan abruptly stood up.
“What’s up?” Rhea asked, looking up at him.
“I have to go,” Rowan replied smoothly.
“I have a meeting to attend.” Rhea pouted.
“Really?
You’re no fun.” A heavy sigh of relief escaped Esme’s lips, a reaction Rowan didn’t miss.
He offered Rhea a rare, subtle reassurance.
“Next time, I promise.” “Okay, fine then,” Rhea conceded with a smile.
Rowan turned his attention to Esme, who was staring fixedly at the floor.
“Have a good day, Esme.
If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.” Esme looked up, caught off guard by his considerate tone, but kept her mouth shut.
“Aww, how cute!” Rhea cooed, before checking her watch.
“Well, since you’re heading out, I could hang out with Esme!
I cleared my whole schedule today because of you, Rowan.” Esme’s face instantly fell, the absolute disapproval written all over her expression.
Catching her silent panic, Rowan shut it down immediately.
“Go home, Rhea.
Don’t bother my wife.” Esme raised an eyebrow at the word, a bitter taste in her mouth.
“Wife???” “Wow, okay then,” Rhea chuckled, standing up to leave.
She reached into her bag, pulled out a sleek card, and handed it to Esme.
“This is my card.
My number is on there in case you ever want to hang out.” Esme accepted the card with a faint nod.
“Thanks.” Rhea offered a cheeky wink as she backed toward the door.
“Bye, lovebirds!” She paused at the threshold, glancing back at Rowan.
“Oh, and you still owe me that promise.” With a final wave, she walked towards the exit door and stepped outside, got into her car, and drove away.
Rowan looked down at Esme, who remained frozen on the sofa.
“I’m sorry for the discomfort this morning.” Rather than answering, Esme stood up and walked straight past him toward the front doors, leaving him standing there in silence.
“I need to get out of this house before I lose my mind,” Esme muttered under her breath once she reached the courtyard.
Rowan followed her out, walking at a distance before gesturing toward a sleek vehicle parked in the driveway.
“If you need to go out, you can take that car.
Jonas will drive you and keep you secure.” Esme stopped and looked at him, met only by his faint, knowing smirk.
A sharp-looking driver stepped out from behind the wheel and opened the rear passenger door for her.
Rowan casually slipped his hands into his pockets, waiting silently as Esme weighed her options.
Realizing she had no other ride, she finally gave in and climbed into the backseat.
Jonas shut the door, took his seat up front, and smoothly drove off down the estate pathway.
Standing in the driveway, Rowan watched the car disappear past the gates before pulling out his phone and dialing a number.
“Keep an eye on the car and her at all times,” he commanded the moment the call connected.
“Don’t let anything happen to her.” “Yes, sir,” the voice on the other end responded instantly.
…
During the drive, Esme glanced up and caught the driver watching her through the rearview mirror.
“Why are you looking at me?” she asked bluntly.
Jonas offered an apologetic smile.
“Oh, it’s nothing bad, ma’am.
It’s just…
you’re really pretty.” A slight smile broke through Esme’s gloomy mood.
“Oh.
Thank you.” “You’re welcome, ma’am,” Jonas replied politely.
“Where can I take you today?” “Just to the restaurant nearby, please,” Esme said, adjusting her bag.
Jonas nodded.
“Will do.” Feeling a bit more at ease, Esme pulled out her phone and sent a quick text: I’m almost there.
When the car pulled up to the venue, Esme stepped out onto the curb.
Jonas leaned out slightly, saying, “I’ll be waiting right here, ma’am.” She gave him a polite nod and headed through the double doors.
Scanning the crowded dining room, she muttered under her breath, “Where is she?” A hand waved frantically from a corner booth.
Esme’s face lit up.
“There she is.” She walked over to the table, greeting her warmly.
“Hey, Sia.” Sia, Esme’s closest cousin, beamed as Esme slid into the seat across from her.
“Hey, Esme!
How are you?” “I’m fine,” Esme sighed, adjusting her coat.
“I am so sorry for coming late, especially since I was the one who called this meeting.” Sia waved a hand dismissively.
“It’s totally fine.
You’ve always been a natural latecomer.” Esme let out a soft laugh, but Sia’s smile quickly faded into concern as she studied her cousin’s face.
“In all seriousness though…
you don’t look good at all, Esme,” Sia observed softly.
Esme lowered her head, staring down at the table.
“A lot has happened.
First of all…
I’m married now.” Sia’s jaw dropped in complete shock.
“What?!
To who…
Eli?” Esme shook her head solemnly.
“What?!” Sia gasped, leaning forward over the table.
“Then to who?” Esme took a deep breath.
“Eli’s older brother.” Sia stared at her in utter disbelief, her voice rising in a panicked whisper.
“What?!?!
How?
When?
Why?!” “Okay, I’ll explain everything,” Esme pleaded, reaching across the table to grab her hand.
“But you have to promise not to tell a single soul.
I’m begging you.” Sia squeezed her hand back tightly.
“Girl, I’m your cousin.
I wouldn’t tell anyone, I promise.” Bit by bit, Esme poured her heart out, detailing the debt, her parents’ decision, and the nightmare of the past two weeks.
As the story unfolded, Sia sat back, completely stunned by the revelation.
Tears welled up in Esme’s eyes and began to spill down her cheeks as the heavy reality settled over them.
“Esme, I am so, so sorry,” Sia said softly, her own eyes misting over.
“I can’t believe all of this was happening while I was abroad.
This is unbelievably cruel!
Who does that to their own child?
And what on earth happened with Eli?” At the mention of his name, the sorrow in Esme’s eyes hardened into pure rage.
Before she could answer, Sia’s eyes darted past Esme’s shoulder, her expression instantly freezing.
“Wait…
isn’t that Eli over there with Layla?” Esme’s eyes widened.
She turned around in her seat.
Sure enough, Eli was walking right toward their table, his arm wrapped possessively around Layla’s waist.
Sia glared at them in confusion.
“What is going on here?” Eli stopped right beside their table, a smug smile playing on his lips as he looked down at Esme.
“Hello there, sister-in-law.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Jael123 Omdsss you’re still here!
I love you guys so much.
Also isn’t Rhea such a darling…
Trust me, you’ll love her alot.
Also can’t forget my girl Sia.
I love my women alot.
If you love these characters as much as i do, please SEND ME GIFTSSSS!
I bet you thought i was going to say powerstone, sikeee!!
I need that too though!