Chapter 22 " Liam ! " The second Grandma Mitchell heard he was coming home , she claimed the best spot on the living room sofa , waiting for him like she used to when he was a boy . " Where's Esme ? " She craned her neck , searching behind him , but he stood there alone . " Grandma , she's not coming back . " The bruises on Liam's face hadn't even healed yet . Seeing him like this , Grandma Mitchell's heart ached . " Here , Grandma . This is yours . " He held out his hand , and in his palm was the jade bracelet , its cracks delicately mended with gold . " She didn't want it ? " Grandma Mitchell froze , then pressed her hand to her chest , her face crumpling with regret . " It's all Joy's fault - she drove my sweet daughter - in - law away ! " she burst out , her voice trembling with anger . Liam just listened , letting her vent . " That woman's lost it . She's been making a mess in the house , can't control herself anymore . I finally had her sent off to Dr. Price's place - I couldn't stand it for another day ! " " If it weren't for her , Esme never would have run away … " Grandma Mitchell's voice cracked . Then she paused , a glint of something sharp in her eyes . " But you know , that woman gave me an idea ." She grabbed Liam's arm and pulled him close to whisper in his ear . " Liam , what if you gave Esme something ? If she got pregnant , she couldn't just leave you- " Liam shook his head immediately . " Grandma , we can't do that . Esme never wanted kids in the first place- " He didn't even get to finish before Grandma Mitchell cut him off . " Liam , what else can we do ? Do you want me to find you someone else to marry ? Would you even go for that ? " " This is the only way . Get her pregnant , keep her home , I'll take care of her myself . Esme's got a soft heart - if we treat her right , and she's carrying your child , you really think she'll still leave ? " Liam stayed silent , but Grandma Mitchell wasn't giving up . " You love her , don't you ? You do ! And do you really trust her out there , alone ? Wouldn't it be better if she had your child , and we made it up to her after ? " " Women always say they don't want kids , but once they're pregnant , they can't let go . You'd be the dad - she wouldn't leave , not really ." Liam's voice was barely above a whisper . " Grandma … fine . " Grandma Mitchell lit up , patting her chest like she'd just won something . " Leave it to me . When 3/2 Chapter the time comes , you just go see Esme . " But days went by , and Liam still couldn't bring himself to do anything . Then Grandma Mitchell pressed a little bottle and a folded note into his hand . " Liam , here's Esme's address . Took me ages to track her down ." Liam stared at the note . He unfolded it slowly . Hillcrest . " So she really moved to a whole new city … " The ache in his chest got even sharper . Was he really that awful , that she'd rather give up her shop and her life here , just to get away from him ? Was Neil really that much better ? He closed his hand around the bottle , his voice rough . " Grandma , I'll go find her ." Grandma Mitchell's face broke into a smile . " I knew it ! She still has you in her heart , Liam . After all these years , she can't just let go ." She practically pushed him out the door . " I already booked you a private flight to Hillcrest . Go get her back ! " Even on the plane , everything felt unreal . Liam stared at the bottle in his hand , feeling the weight of all his doubts . I'm scared … scared of pain , scared of marriage , scared of having kids … And what had he promised her back then ? Then we won't have kids . If my family asks , I'll just say it's my fault . Liam closed his eyes , tucked the bottle in his suit pocket , and slumped back in the seat , shaking . " This time ," he whispered , " let this be the last goodbye . " When the plane finally landed , it took him forever to dial the number on the note . ' Hello ? Who is this ? " Her voice was as soft and clear as ever , and it made his heart twist . ' Hello ? Are you there ? " Liam squeezed the phone tight , then finally found his voice . ' Esme , I'm in Hillcrest . Please - just give me one last chance . Let me say goodbye , okay ? " 2/2