A slight, dramatic sigh escaped Es’s lips. She tilted her head to the side and stared at him, her expression softening in the sa way it always did when she was trying to rein in her playful teasing.
Es’s smile was sly now, like she knew she had won this round. She crossed her arms, feigning an air of superiority. "Yep, that’s right. You’re lucky I love you. Now, stop overthinking everything."
Ray groaned and threw his hands up in defeat, a defeated smile spreading across his face. "Honestly, Es, I swear you’re going to give a heart attack one of these days."
With a laugh, Es leaned in closer, her hands resting on his shoulders as she spoke with mock seriousness. "I’m just giving you a hard ti. But really, you don’t have to worry about Aaron. He’s not my type. And honestly, if anything, he’s a little too intense for ." She paused, raising an eyebrow at him, clearly pleased with herself.
Ray chuckled and shook his head. "Yeah, no kidding. I’ve seen him in action—he’s got enough energy to power an entire city. But let’s be real here, you’re stuck with now. I’m the cute one, right?"
Es rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched as if she were about to break into laughter. "Sure, sure. You’re cute. But don’t get cocky."
Ray pulled her in for a quick, tight hug, his voice low and teasing. "You love , though. You know you do."
Es smirked, gently pushing him away. "Alright, alright. But you still owe a nice dinner for this."
Ray grinned. "Deal. But next ti, can we skip the ’almost-divorce’ bit? My heart can’t take it."
Es laughed, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "It was worth it to see your face."
Ray shook his head, a grin spreading across his face. "You’re lucky you’re cute."
Es smiled softly, wrapping her arms around him again.
"I know."
Ray’s laughter abruptly died, his playful deanor replaced by a piercing seriousness that made Es pause mid-thought. He leaned closer, his expression uncharacteristically intense, and asked, "Honey... if one day you had to choose between saving and our child on one hand, or Aaron on the other, who would you pick?"
Es blinked at him, her surprise clear. She stared, as if expecting him to say it was a joke, but Ray’s unwavering gaze told her otherwise. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. When she opened them, her expression was calm, almost resolute.
"Aaron," she said.
The word fell like a thunderclap in the room. Ray’s face went slack, disbelief flashing across his features before the hurt settled in. "You’re saying... you’d choose Aaron over and our child?" His voice was soft, tinged with pain.
Es nodded, her voice steady. "Yes."
Ray’s shoulders sagged, and he lowered his gaze, his hands clenching into fists. The room felt heavier, the air dense with unspoken emotions. He bit his lip, trying to form a response, but no words ca. Seeing his struggle, Es didn’t try to comfort him. Instead, she leaned forward, her voice calm but charged with conviction.
"Ray, listen to ," she began. "You are my everything. Before I t you, my life wasn’t empty, but it wasn’t... whole. I wasn’t wandering aimlessly or living in misery—because I had Helga and Aaron. They were my anchors when the world felt too chaotic. They saw at my worst and never turned away. They stayed when everyone else left."
She looked directly into his eyes, her tone unwavering. "So tell , if I abandoned the people who’ve stood by for years, who’ve walked with through storms, for soone I’ve known for only a year, what kind of person would that make ? Would you even respect if I could throw them away so easily?"
Ray was silent, his expression torn between understanding and hurt. "But," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper, "I’m your husband. And that’s our child."
Es’s eyes softened, but her resolve didn’t falter. "And for my happiness, should I destroy soone else’s? Aaron isn’t just a friend or a colleague. He’s a lifeline—for , for Helga, and for thousands of people who depend on him. If he’s gone, it’s not just my life that crumbles—it’s theirs. He’s a pillar holding up countless lives, Ray. Do you understand that?"
Ray looked at her, his pain evident but mingled with a flicker of comprehension. Es leaned closer, her voice dropping to a fierce whisper. "I’m not saying I’d choose him over you and our child. What I’m saying is that I won’t let any of you suffer. But if soone dares to hurt you or our baby..." Her hand tightened around his, her eyes flashing with an unshakable intensity. "I will destroy them. Every single one of them. And when I’m done, I’ll follow you. To the underworld, to heaven, or wherever you go. That’s my promise."
Ray stared at her, his breath catching. Her words weren’t just a declaration—they were a vow, etched into the very air between them. He let out a shaky laugh, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips.
"You’re absolutely terrifying," he muttered, shaking his head.
Es’s soft smile lingered, though it was laced with pain. The truth she had shared was unchangeable, no matter how much she wished it could bring Ray happiness. If faced with a situation as dire as the one they were discussing, she might truly choose Helga and Aron over her husbands.
Ray stared at her in silence for a mont before unexpectedly bursting into laughter. He covered his mouth, trying to stifle the sound, but his shoulders shook with amusent. Es blinked, stunned by his reaction.
Lowering his hand, Ray stepped closer and gently placed a kiss on her forehead, his touch tender and warm. "You fool," he murmured, his voice soft yet teasing.
Without another word, he pulled her into a tight embrace,
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