"Contract?" Helga repeated in disbelief, her eyes narrowing as she studied Esme. The words felt cold, calculated, and yet Esme nodded with a matter-of-fact expression. "Yeah, contract."
Helga's mouth twitched slightly, but she held her ground, though a deep frown etched her face. "And what? You think I'm someone who just falls in love or something?" she asked, her voice tight with restrained emotion.
Esme didn't flinch. Her gaze stayed steady, the calmness in her demeanor only further fueling the fire that was building in the room. Aron, standing beside Helga, couldn't take it anymore. His face flushed red with anger, the muscles in his jaw twitching as his fists clenched tightly by his sides.
