The Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 190: [ Volume 1] Chaper 190-Oh! I am sorry.

Chapter 190: [ Volume 1] Chaper 190-Oh! I am sorry.

The one who smiled without meaning it, who walked through life like a shell of the person she used to be. A soulless structure, going through the motions but never truly living. That thought, that haunting image of her, was what had driven him to this edge.

But now, as Helga’s words rang in his ears, he realized that maybe he had been trying too hard to find a solution, to fix things in a way that made sense to him. Maybe all Esme

needed—what she really needed—was for them to just be there, in the background, ready to catch her if she fell, but without smothering her.

Aron’s sobs quieted, his breathing coming in shallow gasps as he tried to collect himself. His hand, still pressed to his mouth, trembled as he wiped away the tears that continued to stream down his face. He didn’t know how to answer Helga’s question. All he knew was that he couldn’t lose Esme again—not like before.

Helga knelt beside him, her hand resting gently on his shoulder, offering silent comfort. They didn’t need to speak anymore. The truth was clear in the unspoken bond between them. Whatever happened next, they would face it together. For Esme, they would be there—silently, patiently—just waiting for her to realize that she didn’t have to go through it alone.

After that day, Helga and Aron went about their daily tasks as usual, their routines unbroken by the quiet storm brewing beneath the surface. Esme, however, followed her own rhythm, splitting her time between work and her growing physical relationship with Ray. It was almost mechanical in its regularity—every night, it was Ray, and only Ray. None of the other brothers shared in that closeness. Esme’s attention was solely on him when it came to these intimate moments, and the others were left in the shadows, confused and uncertain about their place in this strange arrangement.

Ray found the whole situation to be both exhausting and exhilarating. At first, it was overwhelming. Esme’s demands were intense, leaving him drained and sore, his body aching with the aftereffects of their encounters. Some days he would sleep for hours, waking up with a stiff back, yet despite the physical toll, there was an undeniable sense of satisfaction. He couldn’t help but feel a flicker of pride—it was him Esme chose, not his brothers. He knew, somewhere deep down, that the situation was wrong, but the happiness he felt was hard to suppress. Being the only one Esme sought out, even if for reasons he didn’t fully understand, gave him a sense of superiority, a small victory in an otherwise confusing dynamic.

The other brothers, however, couldn’t ignore what was happening. They watched from the sidelines, their confusion growing as they observed the peculiar way Esme interacted with Ray and Ray alone. They knew she didn’t love any of them—not Ray, not any of the others—but there was still a contract binding them all. It was supposed to include all of them, yet Esme’s focus never wavered from Ray. Why? What was it about Ray that made her single him out? And why was she so distant with the rest of them?

While the brothers grappled with their confusion, Aron’s mind was already at work. He knew Esme well enough to understand that trying to force her to yield was pointless. She was far too strong-willed for that. But if there was one thing Aron excelled at, it was strategy. And he had noticed something—Esme’s one vulnerability, the single chink in her armor. When touched by certain mers, even briefly, she would lose her composure for just a second. Her sharp mind, usually so quick to control every situation, faltered in that brief moment. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.

Aron saw an opportunity in this, a way to turn the tides in their favor. He didn’t need to make Esme give in—he just needed her to slip, to lose control for a moment. And if he could get Aron brothers to taste that sweetness, even for a brief time, they’d never settle for the bitterness of rejection again. Once they had a taste of victory, they’d crave it, and that craving would be enough to break down the barriers Esme had built around herself. Aron was determined to make it happen, and he knew exactly how to play the game.

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The living room was filled with the quiet rustling of papers as the Aron brothers sat in pairs, reviewing documents with focused expressions. Ryan glanced at Jay, his brow furrowed. "Brother, I think we should sign these documents. It seems important," he said, his tone measured, though the atmosphere was relaxed between them. Jay nodded, just as the sound of footsteps broke their concentration.

Aron entered the room with a casual air, looking down at his phone. He barely noticed the tension in the room as he spoke into the device. "Oh, yeah, I know, right? My wife makes the best food," he boasted, his voice louder than necessary. "Of course, I trained her from childhood. Yeah, yeah, it’s all thanks to me."

The Aron brothers exchanged a glance, their eyes narrowing slightly. Ryan looked like he was about to ask Aron to lower his voice, but paused, realizing it might seem rude. It wasn’t their place to correct him, though the irritation in the room was palpable. Ray and Kai, sitting nearby, raised their heads from their own work, also drawn into the uncomfortable conversation.

Aron continued, oblivious to the shift in the room. "You know Esme, right? Even she knew how to cook. I love her cooking. When we were kids, she’d always make food for me. Yeah, of course, it’s her way of showing love." His voice carried a smug tone, his eyes drifting to the Aron brothers as he casually mentioned Esme’s name.

Ryan and Jay, who had been half-listening before, now sat up straighter. Hearing Esme’s name sharpened their focus, their gazes snapping toward Aron. He didn’t seem to notice, still caught up in his own narrative.