The Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 103: [Volume 1] - -Esme, awaken.
Aron’s words weren’t filled with anger so much as heartbreak. His tears weren’t out of rage but fear—fear of losing Esme again, fear of how much he cared despite the walls he’d built. The weight of his emotions, the desperation in his voice, echoed through the room.
Esme sighed softly, a bittersweet smile playing at her lips as she whispered, "I’m still here, Aron."
Except for Helga and Esme, no one really understood who Aron was. To the outside world, he seemed like a guy who was always at odds with Esme—teasing her, challenging her, and always finding a way to get under her skin. But beneath that playful facade was someone with a heart full of warmth and genuine care.
For Aron, Esme wasn’t just a friend; she was like family. He had been looking out for her long before Helga came into the picture. Esme was his sister in every way that mattered. Whenever she faced tough times or felt threatened, he was there, ready to support her. He didn’t just protect her; he wanted her to learn how to stand on her own two feet. Aron believed in her strength, and in doing so, he helped her build confidence.
While Helga acted as a strong shield, fiercely guarding Esme from the world, Aron took on a different role. He was more like a teacher, guiding Esme through challenges and encouraging her to face difficulties head-on. He pushed her to grow, reminding her that it was okay to stumble as long as she got back up.
Aron’s deep care for Esme was something both Helga and Esme knew well. It was a bond that had formed over countless moments shared, filled with laughter, struggles, and the unspoken promise that they would always be there for one another.
So when Aron held Esme tightly, tears in his eyes, it spoke volumes about his love and his fear of losing someone so important to him. While others might have seen just the playful banter, Helga and Esme understood the true depth of his feelings. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
Aron’s brothers, who had been standing quietly to the side, heard Esme call out his name. They exchanged confused glances, their brows furrowed in curiosity. "Yes, Esme?" one of them asked, clearly unsure of what to expect.
Esme glanced at Helga, then turned her gaze to Aron, a playful smile creeping across her face. She burst into laughter, shaking her head lightly. "No, I’m not calling you guys," she said, her voice teasing but weak. "I’m calling him."
In that moment, the brothers shared a look of shock and realization. They hadn’t connected the dots before, but now it was clear. Both Aron’s name and their surname were the same, and Esme had deliberately chosen to address him that way to avoid any misunderstanding.
After a while, Esme felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. She instinctively grabbed her head, feeling as though she might collapse. Without hesitation, Ryan rushed to her side, his arm wrapping around her waist to support her.
"Let me check you," he said in a calm, soothing tone.
Esme looked up at him for a moment, blinking through the haze. A small, tired smile appeared on her lips as she said, "You must be the fourth brother, huh?"
Ryan’s expression shifted, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "You can tell us apart?" he asked, his brows raised.
"Yeah, why not?" Esme replied, still slightly breathless.
Ryan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Most people confuse me for Jay."
Esme let out a weak laugh, her hand resting on her forehead. "No," she said with a faint smile, "you guys are too different."
Ryan studied her closely, feeling something stir in him that he hadn’t expected. When his brothers had told him they were going to marry a woman—and that all of them would marry her—he hadn’t cared much. Marriage didn’t hold significance for him. He was always immersed in his work, trusting his elder brothers to make the right decisions. So when they introduced Esme Balhole as their wife, he hadn’t thought much of it.
But now, standing here with this woman who was so much more than he had imagined, something inside him shifted. He wasn’t sure what it was, but for the first time, he found himself understanding why his brothers had chosen her. She wasn’t just anyone—there was something about her that drew people in, something that made even a mer like him, indifferent and detached, pause and take notice.
Rayan looked at Esme with a softened gaze, gently placing his stethoscope back around his neck. He took a calming breath, glancing briefly at his brothers, who were watching with worried expressions.
"She’s fine," he said, his voice steady, though still touched with the concern that had been brewing earlier. "Her heartbeat is normal. It looks like she’s stable... at least for now."
His words seemed to ease the tension in the room, though the undercurrent of worry lingered.
After a while, Esme drifted into a deep sleep, her breathing slow and steady as the IV drip was carefully attached to her arm. The room felt still, the earlier tension replaced by a fragile calm.
Aron and his brothers stood nearby, their eyes fixed on Esme’s resting figure, a quiet mix of concern and relief etched on their faces. Helga, standing beside them, watched her friend with a similar intensity, her usual composure softened in this moment of vulnerability.
For a while, no one spoke, letting the silence envelop them as Esme slept peacefully, the weight of the earlier chaos slowly lifting from their shoulders.
"Ryan," Ray called out in a serious tone. Hearing his name, Ryan turned, his eyes meeting Ray’s with a question in them, sensing the urgency in his brother’s voice.
Without another word, Ryan, Helga, and the others exchanged silent glances, understanding that there was nothing more they could do for now. One by one, they quietly stepped out of the room, their footsteps barely audible on the floor.
As the door closed softly behind them, only Aron remained by Esme’s side, watching her sleep, the soft rise and fall of her chest offering him a small sense of relief.
