Hearing Ray's comment, Esme paused in her actions, her hand still for a moment before she calmly reached for the coffee powder sitting nearby. She took a measured scoop, placing it into her cup, and then, with a faint smile, said, "I like my coffee with milk."
Ray froze for a second, the memory suddenly coming back to him. He had completely forgotten.
Back when Esme had just signed the contract, and they were all preparing to act like a picture-perfect couple, Esme, Ray, and the Aron brothers had agreed to memorize each other's likes and dislikes. It was part of the deal—an effort to avoid any slip-ups that might expose their façade.
Esme had even written out a list, detailing each preference meticulously. One thing was crystal clear on that list: Esme loved her coffee with just milk, no water.
As the memory settled in, Ray felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He looked down, avoiding her eyes.
