Esme slammed her hand onto the table, the sharp crack of contact reverberating through the air like a thunderclap. The sound was jarring, and for a moment, everything around her fell silent. She couldn't believe the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her—anger, shame, and an overwhelming sense of betrayal. How could she have been so wrong?
The realization hit her like a cold wave crashing against the shore, relentless and unyielding. She pressed her palm against the cool surface, willing herself to absorb the shock of her own actions. The Aron brothers—had she really used them as mere instruments to alleviate her guilt? The thought churned in her stomach, making her feel nauseous. They were not pawns in a game; they were real, complex people, with hopes and feelings of their own.
