Chapter 2

Esme was jolted awake by the sound of shouting early in the morning. She opened her door and saw a disheveled woman standing in the garden of the neighboring house, gripping a man's shirt tightly as she screamed with all her might. "Connor, I've loved you for ten years and had your children! You promised me when we got married that you'd love me forever. And now, just a few years later, you dare to cheat on me and keep a mistress behind my back?" Even though it was still early, plenty of people were out for a walk around the lake and had overheard the explosive argument. As a crowd began to gather, the man—clearly someone with a reputation to protect—yanked the woman toward their house, his expression darkening. "Why are you causing a scene? I've told you before, no man in this world stays completely faithful!" Esme stood there, dazed by the sight. Suddenly, a pair of warm hands covered her ears gently from behind. "Essie, don't listen to such filth," Isaiah murmured. Esme did not turn around. Instead, she whispered, "Do you think all men eventually cheat?" Isaiah froze, then turned her to face him. His gaze was calm and full of sincerity as he said, "I can't speak for others, but I won't. Essie, you're the only one I'll ever love." "You'll only love me in this lifetime?" she asked, her voice tinged with skepticism. "But a lifetime is so long." Isaiah pulled her into his arms, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "A lifetime is long, but I only want you." Esme finally let out a laugh, though it carried a trace of bitterness. "What if, one day, you betray me?" He replied, "If I ever betray you, I'll be struck by lightning and die a horrible death." Hearing this, knowing everything she did, her heart throbbed with pain. She asked, "Isaiah, aren't you afraid that such a vicious oath might actually come true?" He chuckled softly. "It won't. No one knows better than me how much I love you. If you don't believe me, I'll carve out my heart to prove it. And if that's not enough, I'll give you my entire life." Esme's mind was buzzing. If he could give her his entire life, why could he not control his own body? Even now, with traces of another woman still lingering on him, he could stand there and tell her the sweetest lies. A voice interrupted them from the doorway, shattering the moment. "Esme, Isaiah, what are you two doing?" They turned to see Audrey standing there in a strapless red dress, leaning casually against the frame. Isaiah tensed immediately, and his brow furrowed. "It's the weekend. Why are you dressed like that? Where are you going?" His tone did not sound like a brother checking on his sister—it felt more like a husband interrogating his wife, with a hint of jealousy over how stunning she looked. Audrey seemed to notice, and she smiled bashfully. She replied, "Our company is hosting a networking event tonight. I'm planning to scope out a boyfriend, so I won't be home tonight." Isaiah's expression darkened instantly, while Audrey's smile only grew wider. "By the way, do you two have any plans for today?" Isaiah snapped out of it, taking Esme's hand. "We're going to visit the Jabs estate today." Audrey chuckled, saying, "Send my regards," as she walked out the door. ... Half an hour later, Isaiah was driving them to his family's estate. Isaiah's parents had never been fond of Esme as their daughter-in-law. They believed she had turned their once-proud son into a love-struck fool, nearly costing him his life. On top of that, their years of marriage had not produced a child, which only fueled their disdain. Whenever they visited, Isaiah's parents were cold and hostile toward Esme. He hated seeing her treated that way and avoided visiting them as much as possible. However, word came that his mother, Adeline Eaton, was not doing well, so he had no choice but to bring Esme along. The moment they stepped into the grand estate, the lighthearted conversation between Isaiah's parents came to an abrupt halt, and their faces turned icy. Isaiah noticed their attitude immediately and snapped, "If you keep acting like this, Essie and I won't visit anymore." His father, Donovan Jabs, slammed his hand on the table in outrage. "How dare you! Is this how you talk to your parents? Are you really going to throw us away for a woman?" Isaiah held Esme's hand tightly, refusing to back down. "I've said it before—Essie is the love of my life. I'm afraid to even raise my voice around her, yet you treat her like this. It's like you're tearing my heart out. If this ever happens again, don't blame me for breaking our family ties!"