The Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 153: [Volume 1] - - A present from mother.

Standing up slowly, Esme’s gaze landed on a grand tree in the distance. Beom was standing beside it, his imposing frame a stark contrast against the ancient trunk. But next to him was something—or someone—that drew her attention.

It was a figure that looked exactly like her, yet there were differences. The woman had the same features—her hair, her face—but her eyes were a deep, haunting greyish hue. Her skin was fair and smooth, untouched by the trials that had weathered Esme.

Esme felt a chill run down her spine, the sight of this unfamiliar reflection unsettling. Then, a voice broke the stillness, soft and sweet, echoing like a chime in the air.

"Mama!"

Esme turned abruptly, her heart pounding at the sound. There, standing a few feet away, was a younger version of herself. Five years old, full of life, her bright eyes sparkling with innocence, two playful ponytails bouncing as she stood with a small yellow school bag on her back.

"What are you doing?" the little girl called out, her voice filled with untainted curiosity, a stark contrast to the turmoil that filled Esme’s heart.

Esme felt her breath hitch in her throat, her chest tightening with a mix of nostalgia and grief. She hadn’t thought of her childhood in so long. Back then, she was carefree and full of joy, running through fields of flowers, laughter ringing in the wind. But standing here now, facing this innocent version of herself, she was reminded of everything she had lost—the happiness that had vanished after her parents’ accident, leaving only shadows behind.

The younger Esme stared at her, those wide, innocent eyes filled with wonder, unaware of the darkness that lay ahead. For a fleeting moment, Esme felt the crushing weight of her reality—the memories that haunted her, the guilt that gnawed at her heart, the confusion of her present intermingling with a past that felt so far away.

Here stood two versions of Esme, worlds apart yet forever linked by shared experiences. The vibrant garden enveloped them both, a reminder of the love and joy that once thrived in her life, now overshadowed by pain and loss. As she looked into her younger self’s expectant gaze, she felt the ache of longing, wishing she could shield that little girl from the heartache that awaited her.

The woman who had been standing in front of Esme turned around, her soft smile radiating warmth. Bending down, she opened her arms wide, her lips barely parting as she said in a gentle voice, "Come to me, my child."

Without hesitation, the small Esme flung her yellow bag onto the ground and dashed forward, her tiny feet padding swiftly on the grass. "Mama!" the child cried, her voice full of pure joy as she leaped into the woman’s waiting arms.

At that very moment, the real Esme’s eyes widened. She turned to face the woman again, confusion settling into her features as the scene played out before her. Wait a minute... Mama? Her hand shot up to her forehead, as if trying to steady the sudden rush of memories and emotions flooding her mind. The woman holding the child—she looked like her but wasn’t her mother, Mrs. Valhalle, or was she?

Esme’s head spun as the woman embraced the little girl, kissing her cheek softly. "Oh my, you’re back from school, huh?" she teased, her voice laced with affection. The small Esme in her arms giggled, wriggling with happiness at the mother’s playful kisses.

But the strangeness of the scene only deepened, and Esme, now the observer of this surreal interaction, could hardly believe what she was witnessing. The younger version of herself beamed and pointed curiously toward Beom, the enormous tiger sitting majestically nearby.

"Mama, what is that?" the child asked, her eyes wide with wonder.

The woman glanced over at Beom, then back at the child with a knowing smile. "This?" she said, turning slightly to point at the tiger. "It’s Beom, our magical beast."

"Biome?" the child repeated, stumbling over the name.

"Yes, Beom," the woman corrected gently, chuckling. "He’s a powerful creature that has been passed down through our family for generations."

The small Esme furrowed her brow, pondering the significance of what she’d just heard. "Passed down to the family? That means... you got it from Grandma?" she asked, her voice full of childlike curiosity.

The woman’s smile deepened, and she nodded with a touch of pride. "Yep, I got Beom from Grandma. And one day, when you’re ready, he’ll be passed on to you from me."

At that, she playfully pinched the child’s neck, eliciting more giggles from the younger Esme. The child’s eyes lit up with excitement and anticipation. "Me? Really?" she asked with wide-eyed wonder. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Yeah, you," the woman replied, her tone warm and reassuring.

But the younger Esme hesitated, her tiny shoulders trembling as she clutched her mother’s clothes. "But... it’s too scary, Mama," she confessed, her voice trembling with fear. The sight of Beom’s immense form clearly overwhelmed her.

The woman—Esme’s mother—smiled tenderly, brushing a stray hair from the child’s face. "It’s okay, baby. It’s not scary at all. Beom’s a gift. A gift that every mother passes down to her child. He’s here to protect you, just like I am."

"But... Daddy says it’s passed to the highest of the family, right?" the child asked, her innocent eyes darting between her mother and the tiger.

Her mother paused, her expression softening as she considered the question. "That’s true," she finally said with a thoughtful nod. "But it’s passed to the person the mother chooses. The one she wants to protect the most. You see, it’s given after we go to heaven, so our children can be safe, even when we’re not here anymore."

As her mother’s words settled in, the young Esme clung tighter to her, her small hands gripping her mother’s dress. The real Esme, watching from the sidelines, felt her heart constrict as the memories unfolded.

She grabbed her chest.