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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UNSAID WORDS
"Love is a two-way street constantly under construction." – Carla De Bona
The soft light of morning filtered through the curtains, casting faint golden hues across the master bedroom.
Eiser stirred, his body still wrapped in the warmth of the thick sheets. He exhaled deeply, his dark hair tousled against the pillow.
As he turned to his side, his hand instinctively reached out, only to find the space beside him empty.
The absence of Esmé's warmth startled him for a moment, and he sat up, running a hand over his face. His bare chest rose and fell with a sigh as he glanced around the room.
The sheets on her side of the bed were slightly rumpled, but Esmé was nowhere in sight.
The faint scent of her perfume lingered in the air, teasing him with her presence.
Eiser swung his legs over the edge of the bed, grabbing his robe from a nearby chair.
He slipped it over his shoulders, securing it at his waist before pulling on a pair of long pants.
His movements were unhurried, though his mind was already searching for where she might have gone.
Descending the staircase, Eiser entered the dining room. His gaze fell on the table, where a single cup of tea had been set for him.
Its warmth curled upward in delicate tendrils of steam.
He paused, picking up the cup and taking a slow sip. The bitterness of oolong teased his tongue, grounding him for a moment. Yet his thoughts quickly returned to Esmé.
Turning toward the frosted window, he spotted her.
Esmé sat on the stone bench in the garden, her white dress flowing gently around her like a halo against the frost-covered grass.
Her figure was small yet striking against the winter scenery, her dark brown hair cascading over her shoulders.
Setting the cup down, Eiser shrugged on his coat and stepped outside. The sharp chill of the morning air nipped at his skin, but he barely noticed. His gaze was fixed on her.
His footsteps crunched softly over the icy ground, and Esmé turned her head slightly, noticing his approach.
She was hugging herself, her fingers clutching the ends of her shawl for warmth.
"You’re up early," Eiser said as he reached her, his voice low and steady.
Esmé smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I didn’t want to disturb you."
Eiser regarded her quietly, his unreadable expression softening for just a moment. He took a seat beside her on the bench, the cold stone seeping through his coat.
