Chapter 24 Liam let her go all of a sudden , a little bit of clarity left in his eyes . " Esme , don't you remember me ? It's me , Liam . " " I'm your Liam - the one you loved most ." She just covered herself , still lost and out of it , mumbling , " Liam ? I don't know you . Where's Neil ? Where's my Neil ? " Liam just stood there . For the first time , he understood what it meant for your heart to break completely . Before this , he could still fool himself a little , tell himself Esme was just mad , just trying to get back at him , that she couldn't possibly love someone else more than him . But right now , it was painfully clear- He didn't matter to Esme anymore . Not at all . The person she loved most wasn't him . Not anymore . " Esme … " Liam reached out , but in the end , he only managed to pull his suit jacket tighter around her shoulders . " I've already hurt you so much before . How could I ever bring myself to hurt you again ? " He forced a smile , then slumped back into the driver's seat . Through the rearview mirror , he stared at the woman he loved more than anything . He knew , deep down , this was really goodbye . " Esme , as long as you're happy , it doesn't matter if I'm not the one by your side . " He started the car and sped down the avenue , heading for the hospital . * Esme , if I ever treat you badly ten years from now , just leave me . Never forgive me . * That old promise flashed through his mind - something his sixteen - year - old self had written , every word heavy and careful , in a letter to his future self . If only he'd known that at twenty - six , he'd hurt Esme so badly for the sake of someone else , even drug her , try to take away her life … He probably would have hated the man he became . Tears filled his eyes . " Esme , promise me - you'll never forgive me ." He wrapped Esme up - she was still under the effects of the drugs - and held her close as he walked her into the ER , step by step . Then , with shaking hands , he called Neil . He watched as Neil came running , frantic and desperate . Only then did Liam finally walk away . At the door , he turned back for one last look . He didn't want to leave her behind . Chapter 24 * Esme , if I ever let you down in this life … * * May I never , ever find happiness . * * Then I'll spend forever just quietly watching over you , asking for nothing but a single glance . Just one look . * Epilogue " Neil , I really love this ocean ! " Esme stood at the top of the hill , her hair damp with sweat . Neil smiled at her , taking the mountain bike from her hands . " Neil , let's go to Greece ! " She snuggled into his arms , pointing at a painting in his sketchbook . " Neil , the sea you painted looks so lonely . But you always said you hated being alone . That's why I want to go back with you . " Her eyes sparkled . Neil glanced at his old painting , then at her , and couldn't help but kiss her forehead . " Alright ," he said softly . " If you're there , this sea will come alive again ." And it was true . Esme spread her arms wide , turning her face to the sunlight . The ocean below the cliffs seemed to come to life , sparkling and full of movement . " Neil , someday , let's see every ocean in the world together ." Esme leaned on his shoulder , her eyes full of hope . He didn't treat it like a joke . He looked at her seriously and promised , " Okay . I'll paint every ocean - and you , and me , and Pearl . We'll live by the water . " He kissed her gently , as if sealing an eternal promise . They made a pact : to see every sea in the world , and always be together . 2/2