The next morning, Esme and Kael sat across from each other at the dining table. The clinking of utensils was the only sound filling the air as Esme kept silent, refusing to even glance at Kael. She ate in slow, deliberate bites, as if pretending he wasn't there would make him disappear.
Kael, on the other hand, had had enough.
With a deep sigh, he set his fork down with a soft clank and leaned back in his chair. His black eyes bore into her, sharp and unreadable. "Enough with this childish act, Esme," he said coolly. "I don't have time for your mood swings."
Esme didn't react, simply bringing another piece of food to her lips.
Kael let out a low, humorless chuckle. "You think ignoring me changes anything?" He rested his elbows on the table, his fingers interlocking.
Still, no reaction.
Kael's jaw tensed. "You seem to have forgotten how this works, so let me remind you." His voice darkened slightly, his patience wearing thin. "I owe you nothing beyond what we agreed upon. So if you're expecting anything more, I suggest you rid yourself of that fantasy."
Esme's grip on her fork tightened, but she refused to meet his gaze.
Kael sighed, shaking his head. "Suit yourself then."
Before he could say more, his phone rang, slicing through the thick atmosphere. He took it out of his pocket, glanced at the caller ID, and without another word, stood up and walked out of the dining area to take the call.
Esme finally let out the breath she had been holding, her heart pounding in frustration. She hated him. Hated how easily he dismissed her feelings. Hated how he constantly reminded her of their arrangement as if she was some charity case he had taken in.
Minutes later, Kael returned, his expression unreadable. He picked up his glass of water, took a slow sip, and then looked at her.
"Get ready love ," he ordered.
Esme raised a brow. "For what?" she asked, her voice laced with disinterest.
"There's a business event tonight. You're coming with me."
Esme immediately shook her head. "I don't wanna go'' she said In a low tone.
Kael exhaled sharply, his patience now entirely gone. "You don't have a choice, Esme. I'll let you know when it's time to get ready".
Esme clenched her jaw but said nothing. She knew arguing was pointless. With a deep sigh, she stood up and walked toward the stairs, not bothering to hide her irritation.
Kael watched her go, his lips pressing into a thin line. This woman really knew how to test him.
The Business Event
The grand hall was packed with the city's most powerful elites—business tycoons, investors, and influential figures, all gathered in their best attire. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm golden glow over the extravagant setting, and the air buzzed with chatter and the clinking of champagne glasses.
Kael walked in with Esme by his side, his intimidating aura filling the room, his hand resting on the small of her back. She was dressed in an elegant black gown that clung to her figure in all the right places, her hair styled in soft waves. She looked effortlessly beautiful, but she couldn't shake the discomfort settling in her chest.
The moment they entered, eyes turned to them. Murmurs spread through the crowd. Jealous stares from women who had long set their sights on Kael bore into Esme like daggers.
Kael, unfazed by the attention, moved through the crowd with ease, nodding at associates, exchanging brief greetings. Every now and then, he would introduce Esme as his wife, his tone neutral, detached.
"This is Esme, my wife," he said at one point to a group of business partners.
Esme forced a small smile, offering polite nods, but the stares she received in return made her skin crawl.
One of the women in the group—a tall brunette in a red dress—gave Esme a condescending glance before turning to Kael with a sugary smile. "She's quite… different from what I expected, Kael."
Kael barely acknowledged the comment. "let's go." He guided her away, but Esme had already caught the meaning behind the woman's words.
She didn't belong in this world. At least, that's what they all thought.
The rest of the evening was just as exhausting. Everywhere she turned, whispers followed. Women glared, men analyzed her, and Kael acted like it was just another business transaction.
By the time the event ended, Esme was beyond relieved. But she had no idea the night was about to take an even darker turn.
The Attack
As the sleek black car drove through the quiet streets, Esme leaned back in her seat, her mind still replaying the night's events. She was sick of it. Sick of the fake smiles, the whispers, the way everyone looked at her like she was some outsider playing pretend.
Kael, sitting beside her, was scrolling through his phone, completely unbothered by her.
Then—BANG!
The car jerked violently as the tires screeched to a halt.
"What the hell—" Kael started, but before he could finish, the doors were yanked open.
A group of masked men surrounded the vehicle, their faces hidden under dark hoods. Guns were pointed directly at them.
"Get out of the car!" one of them shouted.
The driver, visibly trembling, raised his hands. "P-please, I have nothing—"
"Shut up!" one of the men barked.
Esme's blood ran cold. Her eyes widened, her breath hitched as she clutched onto the seat, her heart slamming against her ribs.
Kael, however, remained completely still. Unmoved. His dark eyes swept over the men, cold and calculating.
"Step out, now!" another voice ordered.
Kael's lips twitched slightly—a smirk that wasn't the least bit amused. He slowly unbuckled his seatbelt, his movements unnervingly calm.
Esme could barely breathe as she followed suit, her body trembling. Her hands shaky as she took out her seatbelt.
The men laughed as they saw her. "Damn, this one's a pretty little thing," one of them sneered.
Another man snickered. "No wonder he keeps her locked up. She must be real good in—"
Before the man could finish his disgusting remark, Kael moved.
Fast.
Faster than any of them could react.
His fist connected with the man's jaw, a sickening crack echoing through the air. The man stumbled back, groaning in pain.
Then chaos erupted.
Kael didn't hesitate—he lunged forward, dodging a gun aimed at him and delivering a brutal kick to another attacker's ribs. The man went down instantly.
Esme screamed as she stumbled backward, her hands flying to her ears as more gunshots rang in the night. She had never experienced anything like this.
Kael wasn't stopping. He moved with precision, breaking bones, knocking out attackers with effortless brutality.
More men came at him, but he was relentless.
Within moments, the once-confident attackers were now groaning in pain, lying sprawled across the pavement.
Then—more footsteps.
Kael's men arrived.
Dressed in all black, armed to the teeth, they stormed in, quickly overpowering the remaining threats.
One of Kael's guards rushed over. "Sir, are you alright?"
Kael adjusted his cufflinks, completely unfazed. "Clean this up."
Esme, on the other hand, was still frozen, her hands gripping the fabric of her dress so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Kael turned to her, his expression unreadable.
"You're shaking," he noted.
No shit.
But she couldn't say anything. She could only look at him—the man who had just taken down armed men with nothing but his bare hands.
Who was Kael White?