LONELY HEARTS
Esmé's life takes a dramatic turn when she becomes entwined with Eiser, a son from a powerful family. Haunted by loss and trapped in a loveless marriage, she battles to connect with a man who conceals his emotions behind a wall of sile...
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BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” — Thomas Merton
The cold air inside the mansion whispered against Esmé's skin as her footsteps echoed lightly on the marble floor.
Her eyes wandered across the long hallways, her thoughts drifting as she absentmindedly passed familiar rooms.
The kitchen, the library, the garden entrance-all places she'd frequented over time.
But as she walked, her steps came to an abrupt halt before the gallery room.
The heavy wooden door loomed before her, its intricate carvings seemingly alive in the dim light. Esmé stared at it, her heart beginning to race.
This was one of the few rooms she had never entered.
Her hand lifted hesitantly toward the door handle, but she froze. I shouldn't. Not without his permission, she thought, biting her lip.
The room held an air of mystery, one that both tempted and unsettled her. Esmé turned on her heel and headed toward Eiser's office.
The idea of knocking on his door made her stomach twist, but she knew she had to gather the courage.
Standing outside the office, her hand hovered over the polished wood of the door. She closed her eyes, exhaling softly. He might not care... But what if he does?
Finally, with a small burst of determination, she knocked twice.
Inside, she heard a chair scrape the floor and heavy footsteps approach the door.
When it opened, Eiser stood before her, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. His white shirt, neatly tucked, and dark suspenders gave him his usual composed yet intimidating air.
"Yes?" he said, his tone steady, though his eyes flicked with faint curiosity.
"I-" Esmé swallowed, straightening her back. "I was walking through the halls and stopped by the gallery room. I've never been inside, and... I wanted to ask if I could."
Eiser tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable as always.
Silence stretched between them for a moment before he stepped aside, gesturing toward the room with a simple nod.
"Go ahead," he said, his voice cool.
Esmé hesitated, unsure whether his response carried approval or indifference. But she nodded, murmuring a quiet "Thank you" before heading back toward the gallery.
Behind her, Eiser closed the office door, his expression shifting briefly into something softer, though fleeting before he returned to his work.
Esmé's steps echoed softly as she walked down the hallway, her fingertips brushing the cool, textured walls.
