Esme turned, her strides purposeful as she headed toward her car. Helga, still rooted in place, watched as her friend reached for the door handle. But before Esme got in, she paused and looked back, her expression softening for just a moment.
"Helga," she said quietly, "if something happens to me, someone will need to take care of everything. Someone who understands how it all works. You know how important that is."
Helga's chest tightened. The weight of Esme's words felt like a punch to the gut. She wasn't just talking about the immediate threat—they were talking about the empire Esme had built, the legacy she had crafted from blood, sweat, and determination. If Esme fell, someone had to step up and hold it all together.
"Esme…" Helga whispered, her voice breaking, but Esme didn't let her finish.
"I'm trusting you," Esme said, her eyes lingering on Helga for a brief moment before she climbed into the car.
