The ride from the hospital to the Lewis mansion was quiet, save for the hum of the car engine and the occasional chirp of birds beyond the window. Esther sat back in the seat, her eyes watching the blur of the city pass by. The morning sun spilled golden light across her lap, but it did little to warm the cold ache in her chest.
Sarah's words still rang in her ears, sharp and bitter like broken glass. Lies, blame, selfish justifications, all from the sister she had once admired. It was like meeting a stranger in the skin of someone she used to trust.
She clenched her hands on her lap, trying to still the trembling that had started again. Not from fear or injury, but from hurt.
"I'm not going to cry," she whispered to herself, then turned her face slightly toward the window, as if the outside world could anchor her back to calm.
As the gates to the Lewis estate came into view, she sat up a little straighter. The mansion stood in its usual pristine grace, but something felt different today, more alive, as though it, too, anticipated her return.
The car rolled to a stop, and before she could step out, the front doors of the house burst open.
"Surprise!"
A chorus of cheers met her ears, followed by the sudden crackle of poppers. Bright confetti rained down in the air as Betty dashed forward in a blur of excitement, flinging her arms around Esther's waist.
Lady Bell stood beside her, laughing, her hand extended with a bouquet of bright flowers. Dija grinned from ear to ear, proudly holding up a cake box with "Welcome Back, Queen Esther!" iced across the top in bold, glittering letters.
And there, standing at the center of it all, was Daniel. His eyes found hers instantly, warm, steady, grounding. He stepped forward without hesitation and wrapped her in a gentle hug that said everything she didn't have words for.
"Welcome home," he said quietly, his voice deep and sincere.
For a moment, Esther closed her eyes and allowed herself to lean into it. Into the safety, the affection, the quiet reassurance that this, this space, these people, were her healing ground.
As the laughter swirled around her and the scent of fresh flowers and baked treats filled the air, the pain of Sarah's betrayal began to fade, softened by the love that now surrounded her.
It wasn't perfect. But for the first time in days, Esther felt peace.
And that was enough.
The party had quieted to a cozy hum. After the cake was cut, and Betty had danced herself tired, Lady Bell had whisked her off for a nap, and Dija had gone to change into something "less glittery and more breathable." The celebration had served its purpose, Esther had laughed, smiled, and even forgotten the ache Sarah left behind.
But now, as the house settled into a calm lull, Esther found herself alone on the back terrace, cradling a warm mug of tea. The garden stretched out before her, drenched in the amber hues of late afternoon, and for the first time since she left the hospital, she let herself breathe.
Footsteps approached behind her, steady, unhurried. She didn't need to turn to know it was him.
Daniel stopped beside her, hands tucked into his pockets. "You didn't say much after the cake," he said gently. "I figured you needed a moment."
"I did," Esther replied, her voice soft. "It was… a lot. In a good way. But still… a lot."
He gave a small nod, then gestured toward the seat across from her. "Mind if I join you?"
She shook her head. "Not at all."
He sat, and for a while, neither of them spoke. The breeze tugged lightly at her scarf, the soft rustle of leaves filling the silence.
"You look tired," Daniel said finally, watching her with concern. "Not physically, I mean… here." He tapped his chest lightly. "Something happened before you left the hospital, didn't it?"
Esther looked down at her mug, her fingers tightening around it. "My sister came to visit. Sarah."
Daniel's expression darkened slightly. "I see."
"She said things… and I kinda lost it," Esther admitted, trying to keep her voice steady. "Just the usual… unusual sister fight."
Daniel gave a small chuckle. "I get it. It might be hard to believe, but Bella and I had our fair share of sibling fights when we were your age."
That earned a soft smile from Esther. "Really?"
"Really," he nodded. "Though I doubt any of ours were that dramatic. Bella was always more level-headed."
Esther chuckled faintly, but then her expression shifted, her tone growing more serious. "Mr. Lewis…" she began, hesitating before continuing, "If one day you found out that someone close to you had been lying to you… what would you do?"
Daniel's posture stiffened slightly. He studied her for a moment before replying, his voice calm but firm. "I'd be hurt. Angry. And depending on the lie, I'd probably cut them out of my life." His tone left no room for doubt. "I hate being lied to."
He leaned slightly forward, eyes narrowing with concern. "Whatever it is, Miss Cole… you can tell me. Do you have something you want to say?"
Esther's breath caught. A lump formed in her throat. Sarah's words echoed in her mind, keep your mouth shut. And yet here he was, offering honesty, trust… safety.
"Miss Cole?" Daniel prompted again, softer this time. "You're not hiding anything from me… are you?"
She forced a swallow, then shook her head gently. "No. I was just… asking."
Daniel studied her a beat longer, then nodded. "Alright. So this sister of yours, what exactly is going on between you two?"
Esther gave a tight, practiced smile. "Nothing major. Just the usual sibling tension. We're different in a lot of ways."
She didn't know why she was still covering for Sarah, maybe it was guilt, or hope, or that relentless tug of family ties. As angry as she was, a part of her still wanted to protect the sister she used to know, the one who sang with her on rainy days and snuck food from the kitchen at night.
Daniel leaned back, giving her space. "I see. Well… take things slow with her. Don't push yourself too hard. You've just been discharged. Your focus now should be on healing, physically and emotionally."
"Thank you," she said softly, and meant it.
He leaned forward again, his tone quieter now. "Esther… what you did for my family, for Betty… I'm grateful. More than I can put into words. And I want you to know, I see you. Not just for that day, or what you've done since. I see you for you. Your strength, your kindness. I'm grateful you're still here."
Her breath caught again, eyes shimmering faintly. His words wrapped around her like warmth after a cold night.
"I didn't expect all this," she murmured. "Not the accident. Not the way things have changed. Not… this."
Daniel smiled gently. "Neither did I. But it happened."
And in the silence that followed, something tender passed between them, unspoken, but understood.
Esther's heart thudded quietly in her chest. Daniel's words echoed in her mind, I see you. No one had ever said that to her before, not like that. Not with such certainty, not with such quiet conviction. She looked at him, really looked at him, and saw the tired lines under his eyes, the unspoken heaviness he carried. He wasn't just a CEO or the father of the girl she cared for. He was a man who had lost, who had healed, who was still healing. Just like her.
She took a slow breath. "You always know the right thing to say."
"I don't," Daniel replied, voice husky, softer now. "Most of the time, I don't. But with you… it's different."
Her eyes dropped to his hands, resting on his knees, strong, steady. She wanted to hold them. Needed to. Before she could think, she reached out and placed her hand over his. He looked down at their touch, then back up into her eyes.
"I thought I was doing this job for Betty… for my mom… even for Sarah," Esther whispered. "But somewhere along the way, it started meaning something else. You started meaning something else."
Daniel's breath hitched.
There it was.
No more pretenses.
He reached out slowly, as if testing the moment, and tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. His fingertips grazed her cheek, warm and careful. She leaned into it instinctively, her eyes fluttering shut for a second.
When she opened them again, he was closer. Inches now. Their breaths mingled. Her gaze dropped to his lips, then flicked back up to meet his. His eyes searched hers for permission, for certainty. She gave the smallest nod.
And then it happened.
Daniel leaned in, and their lips met, soft at first, tentative. A kiss not of passion, but of recognition. Of quiet longing finally acknowledged. Esther's eyes slipped shut as her hand slid up his arm, fingers curling gently around his bicep. Daniel deepened the kiss, still gentle, but firmer now. A subtle tilt of his head, a brush of his thumb along her jaw.
The world blurred.
No pain. No Sarah. No lies. Just warmth and breath and the soft hum of something real. Something inevitable.
He pulled back first, just a little, resting his forehead against hers.
"Miss Cole…" he whispered, her name a vow on his tongue.
She opened her eyes, her voice barely audible. "Esther please."
For the first time in a long while, she felt grounded. Not because she had all the answers. But because in that moment, held in Daniel's gaze, she wasn't just recovering. She was beginning again.
Esther pushed open the door to her room and stepped inside, cheeks still flushed and heart not quite calm. The lights were dimmed, casting a cozy glow over the space, and the scent of body lotion lingered faintly in the air.
Dija was already curled up in bed, wearing one of Esther's oversized shirts, scrolling through her phone like she owned the place. A bag of half-eaten chips sat beside her, and a silk bonnet covered her head.
"Took you long enough," Dija said without looking up. "I was about to start texting Uncle Daniel to come tuck you in."
Esther laughed softly, her fingers trailing over her lips for just a second before she walked in. "Funny you say that…"
That made Dija pause. She slowly lowered her phone and raised a brow, eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Wait, wait. What happened?"
Esther closed the door behind her and flopped onto the bed, arms outstretched dramatically. "We kissed."
Dija sat up so fast the chips scattered. "You what?"
Esther grinned at her best friend's wide-eyed expression. "We kissed. Like… really kissed."
"No. Way." Dija clutched a pillow to her chest. "Esther! You kissed Mr. Lewis?, Uncle Daniel ?. As in, the boss? The billionaire? Betty's dad? That Mr. Lewis?!"
Esther nodded, unable to stop smiling. "That one."
Dija squealed, bouncing on the bed like a child who'd just been promised candy. "Girl, that's not a small kiss, that's a turning-point-in-your-life kiss! Spill the tea. Was it soft? Was it passionate? Did time stop? Did music play?"
Esther rolled onto her side, laughing. "I don't kiss and tell."
"Oh, you better tell. I am emotionally invested in this love story," Dija said, grabbing a pillow and playfully smacking her with it.
Esther giggled, dodging. "Let's just say it… felt right. It was quiet and warm and… honest."
Dija sighed dramatically. "Ugh. That sounds magical. I'm so happy for you, bestie ."
But then her expression sobered a little. "Did you tell him about Sarah?"
Esther's smile faded slightly. She leaned back against the headboard, sighing. "No. I couldn't."
"Esther…" Dija's voice was careful now. "You know he's going to find out eventually. What she did, it's not small."
"I know," Esther murmured, eyes dropping to her lap. "But she's my sister and it's not my secret to tell."
"But she made it your problem. She came at you, insulted you, and still you're protecting her?"
"I'm not protecting her," Esther said softly. "I'm just not ready to be the one who destroys her. I still hope… maybe she'll come clean herself."
Dija didn't respond immediately. She just looked at her friend with a complicated mix of admiration and concern.
"You have the biggest heart," she finally said. "Bigger than she deserves."
Esther leaned her head on Dija's shoulder, tired but content. "Maybe. But I'm also learning where to draw the line."
There was a beat of silence between them, soft and sisterly.
"Well," Dija said, breaking it with a grin. "If you're not gonna spill details, at least let me live vicariously through you. That kiss better have been movie-worthy."
Esther laughed, eyes twinkling. "More than that."
And with that, the night settled around them, two best friends under one roof, sharing secrets, fears, and the beginnings of something new.
The early sunlight filtered softly into Esther's room. Esther sat on the edge of her bed, fingers lightly brushing over her lips, still remembering the kiss. Her chest fluttered, and for the first time in a while, she had let herself hope.
A soft knock came at the door.
She rose, smoothing her robe, heart already recognizing the rhythm.
Daniel.
She opened the door slowly.
He stood there, crisp in a dark button-up and slacks, his face unreadable.
"Can we talk?" he asked.
Her heart skipped. "Of course," she said, stepping aside.
He entered without a smile, and that was her first warning. He didn't touch her. Didn't meet her eyes.
"I wanted to say something about last night," he began.
Esther's stomach tightened. She folded her arms, suddenly cold despite the morning warmth. "Okay…"
Daniel drew in a breath like it pained him. "It was a mistake."
She blinked. "What?"
"That kiss, it shouldn't have happened," he said, voice clipped, as though saying it fast might soften the blow. "We crossed a line that shouldn't have been crossed."
Esther stood frozen, the blood draining from her face. "But… you kissed me. I didn't imagine that."
"I know," he said quietly. "And I take full responsibility for that. But it can't happen again. It won't."
Her voice cracked. "Why are you saying this?"
"Because this, whatever it was, isn't right," he said, each word like a dagger. "You work for me. You live under my roof. You're helping my daughter heal. I don't want to complicate your life, or mine."
Her throat burned. "But it's already complicated. We kissed me, Mr Lewis . You told me you see me. That I matter."
His jaw tightened. He didn't answer.
Tears welled in her eyes. "I meant what I said. I love you. I.."
"Miss Cole…" He turned away slightly. "Don't."
She took a trembling step forward. "So that's it? You act like last night didn't happen and expect me to do the same?"
"There's no future here," he said, more forcefully now. "My wife.." his voice faltered briefly, "my wife was the love of my life. I'm not looking for someone to replace her. I'm not ready for that. Maybe I never will be."
Esther's breath hitched as the tears slipped down her cheeks. "I'm not trying to replace her," she whispered, voice breaking. "I just wanted to be seen. Chosen. For once, I thought.."
He turned to her then, eyes heavy with guilt but laced with finality. "Forget what happened. Please. For both our sakes."
She stared at him, lips parted, waiting for him to take it back.
He didn't.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "You deserve better than this… than me."
And with that, Daniel turned and walked out, leaving the door open and Esther standing in the silence of what used to feel like a home.
She collapsed onto the bed, the sob catching in her chest before it broke free. She curled into herself, fingers clutching the pillow that still held traces of last night's laughter. The tears came in waves, hot, silent, unstoppable.
The night had given her hope.
The morning had shattered it.