Chapter 7: The Choice That Changed Everything

The next morning, I woke to the sound of horses.

For several seconds, I didn't know where I was.

Then sunlight spilled across the unfamiliar bedroom, and the events of yesterday slowly returned to me.

I was no longer at the Hartwell estate.

I was at Jack West's ranch.

And for the first time in two lifetimes, no one had entered my room demanding something from me.

I lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling.

The silence felt strange.

Peaceful.

Almost frightening.

A soft knock came at the door.

“Come in,” I said.

Jack stepped inside, already dressed in riding clothes.

He held a tray with coffee and breakfast.

I sat up immediately.

“You didn't have to do that.”

“I know.”

He placed the tray on the table.

“But you skipped dinner last night.”

I stared at him.

Jack avoided my eyes.

“The housekeeper mentioned it.”

A small smile touched my lips.

“Of course she did.”

For some reason, Jack looked almost embarrassed.

It was difficult to imagine the calm, intimidating man from yesterday feeling awkward about bringing someone breakfast.

I picked up the cup.

“Thank you.”

He nodded.

Then he turned toward the door.

“We're going into town today.”

I blinked.

“Why?”

Jack looked back.

“Because we're getting married tomorrow.”

The word landed heavily.

Married.

I had spent my entire previous life believing marriage was a reward.

Something a woman received when she was finally chosen.

But standing there in front of Jack, I suddenly realized I was afraid.

Not of him.

Of repeating the past.

Jack seemed to understand.

His expression softened.

“Esme, you don't have to do anything you don't want.”

I looked at him.

“The engagement was an agreement between our families.”

“Yes.”

“And technically, we barely know each other.”

“Also true.”

“Then why are you still willing to marry me?”

Jack was quiet for a long moment.

Finally, he walked back toward me.

“Because when you took that ring, everyone expected you to regret it.”

I lowered my gaze.

“Maybe I will.”

“Then regret it later,” he said calmly. “But make it your decision.”

My fingers tightened around the coffee cup.

Jack continued.

“I won't force you to stay here.”

“I won't ask you to become someone else.”

“And I won't use this marriage to control you.”

His voice was steady.

“If you marry me, Esme, I want you to know you can leave whenever you want.”

Something in my chest tightened.

In my last life, Corbin had promised me forever.

Jack was offering me freedom.

And somehow, that meant more.

I looked up.

“I'll go into town with you.”

Jack smiled.

It wasn't a large smile.

But it was genuine.

And strangely, seeing it made me feel lighter.

...

The town was small but beautiful.

Jack took me to a quiet boutique instead of some extravagant Manhattan designer store.

The owner greeted him warmly.

“Mr. West! I heard the news.”

Jack looked uncomfortable.

“Apparently everyone has.”

The woman laughed.

Then she turned toward me.

Her expression softened.

“You must be Esme.”

I paused.

“You know who I am?”

“Jack has mentioned you.”

Jack immediately cleared his throat.

The woman smiled knowingly.

I looked at him.

He looked away.

For some reason, I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

I spent the next hour trying on dresses.

Nothing overly expensive.

Nothing designed to impress strangers.

Just simple, elegant dresses.

When I stepped out wearing one with delicate lace sleeves, Jack went silent.

The shop owner looked at him.

“Well?”

Jack didn't answer immediately.

His gaze remained fixed on me.

Then he said quietly,

“That's the one.”

Heat rose to my cheeks.

I quickly turned toward the mirror.

For years, I had dressed for charity events, magazine covers, and Sinclair family dinners.

I had learned how to look perfect.

But standing in that simple dress, I suddenly looked like myself.

Not Mrs. Sinclair.

Not Emma's sister.

Not the daughter my parents wished they didn't have.

Just Esme.

My phone suddenly rang.

The sound shattered the moment.

I looked at the screen.

Mother.

Jack's expression changed.

“You don't have to answer.”

But I already knew what would happen if I ignored her.

She would simply call again.

And again.

Eventually, she would find a way to make me listen.

So I answered.

“What?”

There was a brief silence.

Clearly, my tone surprised her.

Then her voice sharpened.

“Where are you?”

“Out.”

“Stop playing games. Corbin came to the house this morning looking for you.”

I glanced at Jack.

His expression remained unreadable.

My mother continued.

“He said you're refusing to answer his calls. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?”

I laughed quietly.

“Nothing.”

“Don't lie to me, Esme.”

Her patience snapped.

“You've been acting strangely ever since you chose that ring. Are you trying to make Emma feel guilty?”

I closed my eyes.

Even now.

Everything somehow came back to Emma.

“Mom,” I said quietly, “why would Emma feel guilty?”

She fell silent.

I continued.

“She got Corbin. You got the daughter you always wanted. Everyone got exactly what they wanted.”

“So why are you calling me?”

Her breathing changed.

“Esme—”

I ended the call.

For several seconds, no one spoke.

Then Jack gently took my phone.

He switched it off.

I looked at him.

“What are you doing?”

“Giving you one quiet afternoon.”

I stared at him.

Then, unexpectedly, I laughed.

A real laugh.

Jack looked relieved.

“Was that acceptable?”

“Barely.”

We left the boutique together.

Outside, the afternoon sun was warm.

For a few hours, I forgot about Corbin.

Forgot about Emma.

Forgot about the people waiting for me to return and resume my old role.

But when we arrived back at the ranch, a black car was waiting outside the gates.

Jack immediately slowed the vehicle.

My stomach tightened.

I recognized the license plate.

Corbin's.

He was leaning against the car when we pulled up.

His eyes immediately found me.

Then they dropped to the shopping bags in my hands.

Finally, they settled on Jack.

His expression darkened.

“Esme,” he said.

I stepped out of Jack's car.

“Why are you here?”

Corbin stared at me.

“You really weren't lying.”

I frowned.

“About what?”

“You're actually going to marry him.”

The silence stretched between us.

Then I answered.

“Yes.”

Corbin's jaw tightened.

“Why?”

I almost smiled.

In my previous life, Corbin had told me that if he could do everything over, he would choose Emma.

Now that I had stepped away, suddenly he wanted an explanation.

“Because I chose him.”

Corbin took a step closer.

“You don't know him.”

Before I could respond, Jack moved beside me.

He didn't touch me.

He simply stood there.

Close enough for Corbin to understand.

Corbin's eyes darkened.

“Stay out of this.”

Jack's voice remained calm.

“You're standing on my property.”

The tension between them became almost suffocating.

Corbin looked at me again.

“Esme, come home.”

For one brief second, the old Esme inside me almost responded.

The woman who had spent years hoping Corbin would finally choose her.

But she was dead.

She had died alone in the wilderness.

And I had been given another chance.

I looked directly into Corbin's eyes.

“I am home.”

His face went completely still.

Then I turned away from him.

I walked through the gates beside Jack.

Behind me, I heard Corbin call my name once more.

This time, I didn't stop.