Chapter 20 " Esme , can you just look at me ? " Liam's voice was soft , wounded , as he stood behind her . But Esme moved around him like he wasn't even there , unlocking the café door and stepping inside without a word . " Esme , please . Just listen to me ." Liam followed her in , refusing to give up . He watched as she set up the place for the day , flipping on the espresso machine , rinsing cups and plates , every movement efficient and practiced . Suddenly , a memory hit him - something he'd ignored for years . " I just want a simple , easy life ," she'd said , wrapped in a blanket , sitting beside him under the stars . Their shoulders touched , and the night air was quiet and warm . " Esme , whatever life you want , I'll be there with you , " he'd promised , his voice still boyish and uncertain . They were only in middle school back then . She'd only smiled at him . " Liam , you'll never understand ." " Why wouldn't I ? " he'd protested , already anxious . She thought for a moment , then said quietly , " You're going to be the next head of Mitchell Corporation . You'll have to carry your whole family on your shoulders - run the company , marry the perfect wife , have a bunch of kids , and raise them to be the next Mitchell heirs . " " And me ? I don't want any of that . I just want to run a little café and live a free , happy life with someone romantic . " He'd grabbed her hand . " Esme , that's not me . I only want you . " She'd smiled again , but she never looked him in the eye . In the end , though , she did fall for him . For him , she changed everything - became the gracious , patient Mrs. Mitchell . And he … he forgot . He forgot her dreams , forgot that starlit night . A tear slid down Liam's cheek , landing on the back of Esme's hand . She pulled back , finally breaking her silence . " Liam , we're divorced . We're nothing to each other now . " Her voice was cool , steady - like she'd really moved on . " Esme , I'm sorry ." " I know everything now . Joy's child was never yours . All those lies and rumors about me - l know the truth ." " The child isn't yours ? " Esme raised an eyebrow . " Then whose is it ? " Liam rushed to explain , " It's some rich businessman's . Joy was his mistress , but when she got pregnant , he dumped her . So she drugged me and tried to blame it on me ." " Esme , Grandma and I have already dealt with her . She won't bother us again . " He slid a jade bracelet onto her wrist . " Grandma wanted you to have this . She wants you back . You're the real Mrs. Mitchell . " Esme frowned , sliding the bracelet off and pressing it into his palm . " Liam , love is like this bracelet - once it's broken , it's broken . " " No matter how you try to fix it , how much you try to make up for it , the cracks are always there . " She gave a bitter laugh . " Mr. Mitchell , please leave my café . Someone as important as you doesn't belong here ." The bracelet felt heavy in his hand , like it might crush him . He looked at her , pain in every line of his face . " If I can't make up for the past , then let me start over . Forget what happened , Esme . Let's just look forward . Please ? " Esme let out a sharp laugh , anger flickering in her eyes . " Liam , can you stop being ridiculous ? " But he didn't move . No matter what she said , he kept coming back . The next day , Esme had barely opened the café when Liam walked in , arms full of roses still wet with morning dew . " Liam ! I don't want any of that in my shop ! " He just set the flowers on the counter . " Esme , I want some of your homemade pudding . " He pulled out his black card . " I'll take fifty ." Esme leaned against the wall , giving him a tight , sarcastic smile . " Not for sale . " On the third day , there were no roses . Instead , Liam showed up with a crew , carrying boxes through the door . " What are you doing ? Stop ! " Esme rushed to block the entrance . Liam held up his hands . " Esme , wait , I just wanted to get you better coffee machines- " Her face was stone cold . " No. Take your people and go . " And so it went , day after day , Liam showed up at her café every morning , watched her open up , waited until she closed , always nearby . Finally , Esme snapped . When the last customer left , she dragged Liam inside , her face blazing with anger . " Liam , are you serious ? Are you really still playing these childish games ? "