The Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 299: [ Volume 1] Chaper - You fool

Esme let out a sigh as she adjusted the painting back onto the wall, her fingers lingering for a moment. The hidden compartment was a comforting secret, but tonight something about it felt heavy. She turned toward the bookshelf in the corner of her room, her eyes settling on a book she knew too well: Twins’ Safety.

A wry smile tugged at her lips as she pulled the book halfway out. A soft click echoed in the quiet room, and the bookshelf creaked open, revealing the hidden passage.

She stepped into the corridor, the dim space flickering to life as tiny bulbs lit the way. The faint hum of electricity filled her ears, but her mind was elsewhere, bracing for the encounter she wasn’t ready for. At the end of the passage, a pristine white door stood like a silent guardian.

Esme raised her hand, knocking twice. Nothing.

Her brow furrowed. She glanced to the side, spotting a decorative vase filled with artificial cotton flowers on a wooden shelf. With a twist of her wrist, she shifted the vase, and the door clicked open, swinging inward.

The room beyond was familiar—Ray’s sanctuary. Or, as it had become recently, the room he shared with Ryan. The air felt colder here, heavy with a tension she couldn’t quite name. As she stepped inside, her gaze immediately landed on Ray.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his broad shoulders hunched as he dabbed his forehead with a towel. His movements were jerky, almost aggressive, as though he was scrubbing away more than just sweat.

"Hello, honey," Esme greeted, her voice a soft melody laced with mischief. She took a step forward, her smile warm, hoping to ease whatever mood he was in.

Ray’s head turned, his golden-brown eyes locking onto hers. But the look he gave her wasn’t one of warmth or amusement. His gaze was sharp, cutting, filled with an anger that made her stomach twist.

The smile on Esme’s face faltered. She laughed nervously, glancing down at her casual T-shirt and jeans. "What? Is there something on my clothes?" she joked, brushing her hands down her thighs. "Nope, nothing there."

But Ray’s expression didn’t soften. Instead, he turned away, his jaw tightening as he tossed the towel onto the bed.

Esme’s heart began to pound, a quiet panic seeping into her chest. What the hell is this about? she wondered, the storm in her mind brewing.

"Ray," she tried again, keeping her tone light. "What’s wrong? Did something happen?"

Still, he didn’t answer. Instead, he reached for a file resting on the bed and began flipping through it, as if her presence was an inconvenience he was forced to endure.

Esme’s calm facade cracked, though only for a moment. Her hands clenched at her sides as she took a tentative step closer. "Honey, talk to me. Did someone say something to upset you? Is it Ryan? Work? Me?"

She reached out, her hand trembling slightly as she touched his shoulder.

Ray’s reaction was swift. He shrugged her off as if her touch was poison, his movements harsh and deliberate. "Don’t," he said coldly, his voice slicing through the air.

Esme froze, her hand falling limply to her side. Her mind spun, trying to make sense of what was happening. Why is he doing this? Why is he treating me like this?

Forcing a brittle smile onto her face, she knelt by the bed, meeting his eyes even though he refused to meet hers. "Ray," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Please. Tell me what’s going on. Don’t shut me out like this."

He didn’t answer. He didn’t even look at her. His focus remained on the file in his hands, though she could tell he wasn’t reading a single word.

Inside, Esme was unraveling. The storm in her chest turned into a tempest, rage and sorrow swirling together in a chaotic dance. But outwardly, she kept her composure, refusing to let him see the cracks forming.

"You know," she said, her voice breaking slightly despite her efforts to stay calm, "I came here because I thought you might need me. Because I care about you."

Still nothing. Ray’s silence was louder than any words could have been, and it pierced her like a blade.

Esme’s mind raced, her heart aching as she searched for a way to break through Ray’s icy demeanor. Her eyes landed on the trolley she’d brought in earlier, and an idea sparked. Straightening her shoulders, she pushed it toward him, the wheels creaking softly against the floor.

"Ray," she began with a playful lilt in her voice, "I brought you something special."

Ray didn’t look at her, but his nostrils flared as the aroma from the trolley began to waft through the room. Esme slowly lifted the lid off one of the dishes, letting the scent of perfectly cooked steak fill the air. "You said you wanted steak, didn’t you? Look," she teased, pulling the lid fully off with a flourish. "Medium rare, just how you like it."

Ray’s head turned just slightly, his eyes flickering to the plate before he caught himself and quickly looked away. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, but his words were defiant. "I’m not hungry," he muttered, his tone cold, though his stomach betrayed him with a soft grumble.

Esme suppressed a grin. She knew him too well. "Oh, my bad," she said, feigning disappointment. "Here I thought you might appreciate this. Well, no matter!" She removed the lid from another dish, revealing tender, sour-and-spicy pork. The tangy aroma filled the room, and Ray’s resolve visibly wavered.

"Such a shame," she mused dramatically, "I worked so hard on this, but if you’re not hungry... I guess I’ll just have to eat it myself."

Ray’s eyes darted to the food as Esme began plating a little bit of everything. His resolve was cracking, and she could see it in the way his fingers twitched against his thighs and his eyes lingered just a moment too long on the steak.