The Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 342: [ Volume 1] Chaper - real devil

Without another word, he pulled her into a tight embrace, resting his chin on her head. "I really found a treasure."

Esme froze for a moment, her mind racing to catch up with his actions. When he finally pulled back, he pinched her nose lightly and smirked. "You fool! If you had chosen me or our child, I might’ve actually reconsidered our relationship."

"What?" Esme’s confusion deepened, her brows furrowing as she searched his face for answers.

Ray chuckled at her puzzled expression and cupped her face gently. "Let me explain. If you had chosen me or our child, it would mean you could abandon bonds that have been with you for years—relationships built on trust and loyalty—for something new. If you could do that to Helga and Aron, what’s stopping you from doing the same to me and our child someday?"

Esme’s lips parted in surprise, her stunned gaze fixed on him.

"But," Ray continued, his tone softening, "your answer tells me otherwise. It shows that you value your relationships deeply, that you see them as something sacred and not just fleeting attachments." A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "That’s the kind of person you are, Esme. And I wouldn’t change that for anything."

Still processing his words, Esme found herself unable to respond. Seeing her speechless expression, Ray let out another hearty laugh and tapped her cheek playfully. "You know," he said, his eyes gleaming with mischief, "it’s a family tradition."

"Family tradition?" Esme asked, finally finding her voice.

Ray nodded. "Whenever a mer in our family is about to become a father, he asks his wife this same question."

Esme tilted her head in curiosity. "So... every generation has done this?"

"Not exactly," Ray replied, his voice taking on a reflective tone. "It started with my dad when he married my mom. He asked her the same question. And do you know what she said?"

"What did she say?" Esme prompted, her interest piqued.

Ray’s gaze softened as he recounted the memory. "She told him that if she ever had to choose, she would give her life for him. She said she’d want to go first because she couldn’t bear the thought of burying him or even cremating him."

Esme’s eyes widened, a bittersweet smile forming on her lips. "That’s... so heartfelt. What did your dad think of her answer?"

"At first, he laughed," Ray admitted, his smile turning wistful. "’What kind of woman wants to die before her husband?’ he used to say. But..." His voice dropped, and his eyes glistened with a distant pain. "She made it true. She kept her promise."

A heavy silence settled between them, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Esme reached out, her fingers brushing his hand. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Esme’s voice cut through the room like a blade, sharp and unyielding. "No, I wouldn’t die before you."

Ray blinked, his expression twisting in confusion. "What... what do you mean by that?" he asked cautiously, tilting his head like he was trying to make sense of her words.

Esme squared her shoulders, her gaze steady. "If you were to die, I wouldn’t let anyone else touch you—not to prepare you, not to bury you. I’d be the one to handle everything. Your last rites, your burial—everything would be done with my own hands."

Ray’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, but Esme wasn’t finished. "And when it’s all done—when I’ve made sure your wishes are honored to the last detail—I’d join you."

Her tone softened, the weight of her words settling heavily in the room. "Before that, though, I’d ask Aron and Helga for one last favor: to bury us together. Same tombstone, same grave. Together in life, together in death."

For a moment, Ray could only stare at her, his mouth opening and closing as if searching for the right words. Then, out of nowhere, he burst into laughter.

The sound was so unexpected that Esme flinched. "What’s so funny?" she demanded, her voice tinged with irritation.

Ray doubled over, clutching his stomach as he tried to compose himself. "You’re... you’re planning my funeral, and I’m still standing here breathing! Do you hear yourself?"

Esme frowned, crossing her arms defensively. "I’m not planning anything! I’m just being realistic."

"Realistic?" Ray straightened up, still chuckling as he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "So, let me get this straight. I’m alive, healthy, and very much here, but you’ve already decided how you’d bury me? That’s not realism, that’s morbid!"

Esme huffed, her cheeks flushing. "I’m not cursing you! I’m just... stating a fact."

Ray leaned closer, his grin widening as he tapped her nose playfully. "A fact, huh? Sounds like you’ve got this all figured out. Should I be worried you’re secretly hoping to use that plan?"

She swatted his hand away, her eyes narrowing. "Don’t be ridiculous! I’m just saying—"

"You’re just saying you’d handle my death with more care than anyone else," Ray interrupted, laughter still bubbling under his words. "It’s sweet, in a wildly unsettling way."

Esme scowled, but the corners of her lips twitched. "At least I’d do it right, unlike some people who’d probably mess it all up!"

Ray burst into laughter again, tugging gently on her ear as he shook his head. "You’re .....".

The room was still filled with soft murmurs of conversation when suddenly, the door burst open, and a servant rushed in, panting, his face pale with anxiety. "Ma...madam," he stammered, barely catching his breath.

Esme and Ray, both caught off guard by the servant’s abrupt entrance, looked up from their quiet exchange. Before the servant could speak further, his eyes widened as he realized what he had just walked into. Ray, who had been seated comfortably on Esme’s lap, quickly stood up, his expression shifting to one of concern. He glanced at the servant, his voice sharp with impatience. "What happened?"

The servant took a deep breath, as if trying to steady his nerves. "I apologize for the interruption, madam, but... the police are outside. They’re here with a whole team... more than I can count."