Esme's laughter faded as her gaze drifted back toward the window, her expression shifting to something more somber. The light in her eyes dimmed as she stared at the view outside, her fingers resting lightly on the windowsill. "Yes," she muttered quietly, "I am a loser."
Jay opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it. Something in her tone made it clear this wasn't about self-pity. It was deeper, more reflective.
"How can I not be?" Esme continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've been made a fool for a whole decade."
Her eyes fixated on the Valhale Group poster plastered against the wall, a constant reminder of what she had lost and who had taken it from her. Her jaw clenched, and the air around her seemed to grow colder. "Just you wait," she murmured, her voice hard with determination. "I'm coming for you."
