Chapter 2 Tears shimmered in her eyes , but she held them back , voice trembling . " Mr. Mitchell only took that from you so I could have a safe delivery - and so you two could get back to how you were . He's been looking after me , but his heart's with you . I know that . " Esme didn't even bother pretending to care . " It's just us here . You can drop the act . Years ago , Liam gave you fifty million to disappear , but you still showed up , pregnant and all . I know exactly what you're after . " Joy's tears froze on her cheeks . " I'm done playing these games with you . " Esme handed over a divorce agreement . " If I give this to him , he'll never sign it . You figure out a way to get him to sign it without noticing . " Joy bit her lip . " You've got it all wrong . I never wanted to ruin things between you ~ " " You get one chance , " Esme cut her off , her tone final . " Make it count . " Joy stared at the papers for a long time , then finally reached out and took them . " … Thank you , Ms. Hiller . For letting us be a family . " A family . The words stabbed straight through Esme , leaving her breathless . " Well , I wish you a lifetime of happiness , " she managed , voice barely above a whisper . Back at the house , Esme dragged out a cardboard box and started packing away every little thing that reminded her of Liam . They'd grown up together . The memories were endless . The first thing she put in the box was an old photo album . On the very first page is a picture of them at five , Liam in a tiny suit , looking all serious as he stood next to her , his little hand secretly clutching the corner of her dress . Mrs. Mitchell had always said he refused to take a photo alone that day - he insisted on having Esme by his side . That was the first time he'd ever shown he couldn't let her go . Next , she dropped in a button from their high school uniforms. On graduation day , every girl scrambled for the boys ' jacket buttons . Esme hadn't moved from her seat , but after school , she found his button tucked inside her desk , along with a note : Keep mine . Even back then , he was already using his name to keep other guys away from her . The third item was a diamond ring . The day she turned legal age , he couldn't wait - he proposed right in front of the giant screen downtown , rose petals raining down from a helicopter as the diamond sparkled in his hand . 1/2 Chapter 2 He slid the ring onto her finger himself , eyes full of promise . " Esme , for the rest of my life , I'm yours . " If it hadn't been for Joy , Esme would have believed they'd grow old together . She let out a shaky , self - mocking laugh , tossed all the memories into the box , and then dumped it all in the trash . The next morning , noise downstairs woke her . She walked out to see the staff hauling in bag after bag of luxury goods - Hermès bags , Cartier jewelry , custom Chanel dresses . Joy stood in the foyer , looking all fragile and innocent . " Mr. Mitchell , this is too much . I never wanted any of this … " Liam gazed at her with gentle eyes . " Just take them . Being happy is good for you and the baby . " He'd barely finished speaking when he caught sight of Esme . His face stiffened . He quickly said , " Esme , I'm sorry , I only bought gifts for Joy this time . If there's anything you want , I'll get it for you next time ." Before Esme could say a word , Joy spoke up softly , " Mr. Mitchell , I already prepared the gift Mrs. Mitchell wanted most . " She walked over and handed Esme a document envelope . Inside was a signed divorce agreement . Liam's signature - bold , familiar - looked exactly like the handwriting in the love letters he used to write her . 01 11