The morning air inside the estate was crisp and fresh, though the atmosphere in Esme’s bedroom remained heavy and tense.
An IV line was taped securely to her arm, connected to a tall metal stand beside her bed.
The doctor adjusted the drip flow and looked down at her.
“This will need to remain attached for at least two days, madam.” Esme glanced from the needle in her arm to the tall stand.
“What if I need to move around?
How am I supposed to go to the bathroom or the dining room carrying this with me?” Before the doctor could answer, the bedroom door swung open.
Rowan walked in, hands casually resting in his pockets.
“Then a private nurse will be assigned to you today.
Right, doctor?” “Yes, Mr.
Carven,” the doctor agreed quickly.
“A private nurse can be stationed here immediately.” Rowan offered Esme a faint, controlled smile.
“Good.” Esme met his gaze with unmasked disgust before sharply turning her head away.
“I shall take my leave now,” the doctor said, bowing his head slightly.
“The nurse will be sent up shortly.” Rowan gave a brief nod, and the doctor stepped out, shutting the door quietly behind him.
Walking over to the bed, Rowan sat on the edge of the mattress.
Esme immediately recoiled, shifting as far away from him as the IV tubing allowed.
Rowan let out a soft, low chuckle.
“Careful.
You don’t want to rip that out of your arm.” Esme glared at him, her eyes fierce.
“No, I’d rather rip your eyes from your skull.
Stop looking at me.” Rowan tilted his head, his gaze remaining fixed on her with quiet intensity.
“Get out,” Esme demanded, her jaw clenching.
“I said get out.
What is wrong with you?” Rowan released a long, heavy sigh.
The amusement faded from his features, replaced by a dark, subdued seriousness.
“I am truly sorry this happened to you, Esme.” She looked away, refusing to acknowledge his tone.
“It was my fault,” Rowan continued, his voice dropping as he looked toward the floor.
“I was far too careless leaving you unguarded.
If I had been more vigilant, you wouldn’t have drunk that juice, and that man would have never stepped foot near you.” Esme froze.
She turned back to face him, her brow furrowing in confusion.
“Wait…
the juice I drank caused this?” She processed his words, her mind racing.
“And what do you mean man?
It was a female staff member…” Realization struck her all at once.
Her eyes widened, and a sharp breath hitched in her throat.
“It was a man,” she muttered under her breath, the horror settling in.
“I knew I shouldn’t have taken that glass.” She snapped her attention back to Rowan, her frustration boiling over.
“And here I was thinking I had some sudden medical issue, but it was your mess all along.” Rowan looked at her, the faint shadow of a smirk touching his lips.
“Why are you smiling?” Esme snapped.
“Your recklessness almost got me killed!” She looked toward the window, muttering under her breath, “And mine too…
who drinks juice at one in the morning?” She turned her sharp glare back to him.
“You really just want to make my life a living hell, don’t you?
So much for keeping me safe, like my father claimed you would.” She let out a harsh, bitter hiss.
“Please, just leave.” “I never intended for any of this to happen, Esme,” Rowan said quietly.
“And I never intended to marry you or be trapped in this house!” Esme shot back, hatred burning in her eyes.
“I am in far more danger standing next to you than I ever was on my own.
Now leave.
I don’t want to talk to you, and I certainly don’t want to look at your face.” Rowan stared at her for a long moment before quietly standing up.
A sharp knock at the door broke the silence.
Rowan glanced at Esme, whose face was still turned rigidly toward the wall.
“Come in,” Rowan commanded.
A man dressed in a black suit stepped inside, bowing his head respectfully.
“Sir, your brother has arrived downstairs.” Rowan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“My brother?
What does he want?” At the mention of the word, Esme’s heart hammered against her ribs.
Her shoulders went rigid, her body locking up in sudden panic.
“Eli is here?” Rowan caught the sudden change in her posture.
Though she quickly averted her eyes, the tension radiating from her was unmistakable.
Rowan turned back to the man, his tone clipped.
“Invite him in.
I will be down shortly.” The man nodded, stepping back out and shutting the door behind him.
Rowan turned back to the bed, his voice quiet but resolute.
“I am truly sorry this happened, Esme.
I promise to protect you with my life from here on.” Esme offered no reply, keeping her back turned.
Rowan paused for a second before turning, opening the door, and stepping out into the hall.
The moment the door clicked shut, Esme turned toward it, her chest heaving as panic surged through her.
“What is Eli doing here?” She pressed a hand over her heart, feeling the frantic, heavy pulse beneath her palm.
…
Downstairs, Rowan descended the staircase and walked into the primary living room.
Eli was already seated on one of the leather sofas, casually scanning the room’s lavish interior.
Rowan caught the eye of a maid standing nearby and gave a slight gesture.
“Bring some refreshments and snacks for our guest,” he instructed in a low tone.
She nodded dutifully and withdrew toward the kitchen.
As Rowan approached the seating area, Eli stood up with a broad smile.
“Brother!” Eli extended his arms, stepping forward as if going in for a hug.
Rowan’s expression remained completely blank.
He casually extended a single hand forward, offering a cold, formal handshake instead.
Eli’s smile faltered slightly.
Lowering his open arms, he took Rowan’s hand for a brief, firm shake.
“Please, sit,” Rowan said smoothly, taking a seat on the opposite sofa.
Eli sat back down, letting his eyes wander over the high ceilings and elegant decor.
“Your house is incredible, Rowan.
Truly impressive.” The maid returned quietly, placing a polished silver tray on the low table between them.
On it sat delicate porcelain demitasse cups of steaming hot espresso, a small glass pitcher of water, and a plate of fresh almond biscotti.
Eli’s eyes followed the maid with a smirk.
“And beautiful staff, too,” he remarked casually.
He leaned forward and picked up a biscotti.
“Looks delicious.” He took a large bite, chewing carelessly.
Rowan watched him with unmasked disdain.
“To what do I owe this uninvited visit, Eli?” Eli spoke with his mouth half-full.
“Look, I know we’ve had our differences…” Rowan’s brow furrowed in irritation.
Eli swallowed quickly before continuing, waving a dismissive hand.
“I know we don’t always get along, but you don’t have to treat me like a total stranger.
I’m your brother.” “Get to the point, Eli,” Rowan cut in, his tone flat.
“I have work to attend to.” Eli let out an exaggerated sigh, leaning back against the cushions.
“Alright, fine.
The truth is, I’ve been having some housing issues lately.” Rowan raised a single eyebrow, remaining completely silent.
“I got kicked out of my apartment,” Eli admitted, looking down with a fleeting expression of hesitation before meeting Rowan’s eyes again.
“Gigs have been slow lately, nobody’s really calling.
So…
I wanted to ask if it would be possible for me to stay here with you for a while.” Rowan’s gaze hardened into a cold, lethal glare.
…
Upstairs in the dimly lit hallway, Esme had been standing near the top of the stairs, straining to hear the conversation below.
Hearing Eli’s request, her breath hitched, and a cold dread washed over her.
Panicked, she retreated silently down the corridor, slipped back into her room, and shut the door behind her.
Her heart pounded violently against her ribs.
Looking down at her arm, she realized that in her rush to get to the hallway, she had yanked the IV line clean out of her vein.
A tiny drop of blood welled up on her skin where the needle had been, but she barely felt it.
She pressed her trembling hand against her chest, staring wide-eyed at the closed door.
“What is going on?” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Jael123 ughhhhh I hate this guy called Eli, like what is his problem.
Bro, go away!
Jeez!
Hehe, oh and send me giftss my darlings!