Chapter 55: A Bold Declaration

Kael was walking away, his pace steady, his back straight—so infuriatingly composed, as if their entire exchange hadn't affected him in the slightest.

Esme, on the other hand, was seething.

Her hands clenched at her sides, her nails biting into her palms as she stared at his retreating figure. He thought he had won.

He thought he had the upper hand.

But he was wrong.

She refused to let him control this game.

"Just you watch, Kael," Esme blurted out, her voice sharp and resolute.

Kael slowed but didn't turn.

Esme took a step forward, her eyes locked onto him. "I'll show you. And I'll show the world." Her breath was heavy, but her resolve was unshaken. "I'll show Sophia that you belong to me."

That made Kael stop.

His head tilted slightly to the side as if considering her words.

Esme inhaled deeply, her heart pounding in her chest, but she didn't stop. She wasn't backing down now.

"I'll claim you in a way you never expected."

Silence.

And then—

A deep, quiet chuckle.

Kael turned slowly, amusement dancing in his dark eyes as he looked at her. That damn smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, so effortlessly infuriating.

He nodded once, his expression unreadable. "Is that so?"

Esme lifted her chin defiantly. "Yes."

Kael's smirk deepened. He took a step forward, just close enough for his presence to suffocate the space between them. "Well then…" His voice was slow, teasing, laced with something both mocking and intrigued.

"I can't wait for that moment."

His words dripped with condescension, like he didn't believe she could do it. Like he was daring her to try.

Esme felt the heat rise in her cheeks, but she refused to let him get the last word.

She held his gaze, unwavering.

Kael studied her for a long moment, as if trying to decide whether she was truly serious. And then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

This time, Esme let him go.

Because this time, she was going to make him regret it.

Esme stood there, her chest rising and falling with each measured breath as she watched Kael disappear down the hall. His confidence, his mockery—it set something ablaze within her, something she couldn't quite put into words.

He thought she was bluffing.

He thought this was just another outburst, another moment of temporary rage that would fade away by morning.

But he was wrong.

She was done playing by his rules.

If Kael White wanted a game, he was going to get one.

Turning sharply, Esme marched toward her room, her heels clicking against the marble floor with determined purpose. She had spent too long letting Kael toy with her emotions, too long trying to prove something to a man who thrived on control.

It was time to turn the tables.

And Sophia?

She would personally make sure that woman regretted ever setting foot in her wedding hall.

As she entered her room, she grabbed her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen before she smirked to herself.

Fine.

Kael wanted to be amused? Let's see how long he could laugh when she started making him lose his mind.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Esme dialed a number.

"Lucan?" Her voice was smooth, confident.

There was a pause before his familiar chuckle came through the line. "Well, well. To what do I owe the pleasure, Mrs. White?"

Esme rolled her eyes. "Are you busy?"

"For you? Never."

A smile curved on her lips.

****. ****. ****.

"Good. Because I need your help."