The Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 200: [ Volume 1] Chaper 200- Quite shifts

Chapter 200: [ Volume 1] Chaper 200- Quite shifts

Relief flooded her features as she closed the distance between them in a few hurried steps, her footsteps almost unsteady from the rush of emotion.

"Esme," Helga breathed, her voice a blend of relief and frustration. She dropped to her knees at the side of the bed, carefully setting the glass down on the bedside table before grabbing Esme’s hand. "You’re awake."

Esme, her voice still a bit weak, managed a faint smile. "Looks like I’ve become quite fragile," she murmured, her usual strength undercut by the lingering fatigue.

Without missing a beat, Helga reached up and knocked her knuckles gently against Esme’s forehead, a soft reprimand. "Fool," she said quietly, the words filled with affection and worry. "Never do that again."

Esme chuckled softly, the sound barely above a whisper, as Helga wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. The warmth of the hug was comforting, grounding her in the moment, reminding her of the bonds she still had despite the isolation that often gnawed at her.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The quiet was thick with unspoken relief and affection. Helga’s arms tightened around her, and Esme could feel the depth of her concern, the quiet panic that must have been building in her friend while she lay unconscious.

"You had me worried," Helga finally whispered against her hair, her voice tight. "Don’t do that again."

Esme’s smile softened, her own hand coming up to rest on Helga’s back. "I’ll try not to," she promised, though her thoughts were far from that simple.

There were still so many unknowns, so many dangers lurking in the shadows. But for now, in this moment, she allowed herself to sink into the embrace, feeling Helga’s warmth and the lingering presence of Beom within her, offering her strength.

From that day forward, everything seemed to shift in subtle yet undeniable ways. Esme carried on with her usual routine, going to work as she always had, but the atmosphere around her felt different—quieter, more deliberate. The changes in her surroundings didn’t go unnoticed, especially in how those close to her adjusted their lives without saying much.

Jay had moved his laboratory and office into the house, setting up his work so he was never far away. He spent most of his time researching and tinkering within the walls of their home.

Kai, once out in the world managing legal affairs elsewhere, now worked directly from the company’s headquarters, handling all law-related issues as their lawyer, keeping things steady. Ray, who had always been more distant from the daily operations, suddenly took on the role of vice president.

He stepped up without hesitation, efficiently shouldering half the company’s burdens. Esme, once overwhelmed with meetings and decision-making, now found much of that responsibility transferred to him.

Ryan, too, adjusted his schedule. He limited his visits to patients, only seeing those who were most critical, and spent the rest of his time in the house. His main focus seemed to be Esme’s health, ensuring she took her medications, constantly checking on her like a watchful guardian.

Esme noticed the way they orbited around her, each in their own way, more attentive than ever. She couldn’t quite figure out why—they weren’t a real couple, after all. But the concern they showed her wasn’t bothersome.

In fact, there was something about it that warmed her. A small, soft smile often tugged at the corners of her lips whenever she thought about it.

Even at the office, Ray rarely left her side. He attended meetings with her, offering calm, calculated insights.

It felt strange at first, having him there so often, but his presence brought a new sense of ease. When she returned home from a long day, Jay and Ryan were already there, as if waiting for her, keeping the house lively with their banter and presence.

Kai, too, would occasionally drop by her office, often spending time alongside Ray, discussing strategies and plans. The three of them worked together seamlessly, their conversations effortlessly blending into discussions about the company, meetings, and projects.

The change wasn’t drastic, but it was undeniable. Esme’s workload began to lighten, not dramatically, but enough that she could breathe easier.

And in those quieter moments, when she observed Ray, she realized something about him. He had a remarkable talent for running the company.

There was a natural ease to how he navigated decisions, a sharp intuition she had rarely seen in others—not even her most trusted assistants had possessed his ability to take control and steer things in the right direction.

Ray’s competence didn’t just surprise her; it impressed her. There was something in the way he handled the intricacies of the company, in the precision of his decision-making.

She could see a new future for the business unfolding, one where Ray’s talents could propel them even further than she had imagined.

As Esme watched all of this unfold, a quiet understanding settled over her. They were worried about her—more than she had realized.

Even though they didn’t say it outright, their actions spoke volumes. While the reasons for their concern remained unclear to her, their efforts to be close, to support her in ways both big and small, left her with a feeling of being cared for in a way she hadn’t anticipated.

And while it wasn’t something she had asked for, it wasn’t something she wanted to let go of, either.

But that was Esme’s biggest mistake—getting too comfortable in the calm. It had crept into her life like a thief in the night, settling in the space between her work and home, in the laughter shared with Ray and the easy way things seemed to fall into place. She had forgotten the most important lesson: there’s always a storm after the stillness.

That afternoon, Ray wheeled himself into her office, his expression as casual as ever, but there was a tightness to his posture, something hidden in his usually calm demeanor.

His wheelchair moved smoothly across the hardwood floors, the quiet hum of the wheels the only sound in the room until he spoke.