Chapter 3 Esme stared down at the freshly signed divorce papers , her heart squeezed tight by something invisible . So Joy had really gone through with it.- Fine . Now , the two of them could play happy family with their soon - to - be baby , and as for her , starting today , she'd finally live just for herself . " Esme , what's the one gift you want most ? " Liam suddenly leaned in , frowning a little . " How come I've never heard you mention it ? " He reached for the papers , but she was quicker , tucking them out of sight . He raised an eyebrow . " You're keeping secrets from me now ? " Esme gave a half - smile , her voice cool . " Didn't you keep secrets from me , too ? Like hiding the fact that she was three months pregnant - until I literally stumbled onto it ? " Liam's face went pale . He glanced at Joy , dropping his voice . " We agreed not to bring that up anymore . I told you why I had to keep the baby … " He hesitated , then his tone softened . " I only kept it from you because I was scared you'd leave me ." Scared she'd leave , huh ? Liam , the things you're most afraid of losing always end up slipping away . Suddenly , Joy's eyes filled with tears . " It's all my fault … I never should've been with you that night , or let Grandma Mitchell find out about the baby … I never meant to ruin your marriage , I swear , I didn't … " Her tears clung to her lashes , as if she'd never been more hurt . Liam turned instantly , his voice gentle in a way Esme hardly recognized . " Don't say that . How could this be your fault ? " Esme couldn't stand another second . She turned to leave . That's when Liam finally snapped out of it and rushed after her . " Esme , where are you going ? " " Out . I have something to take care of ." He frowned . " It's pouring outside . Let me drive you ." Before she could answer , he turned back to the housekeeper , firing off instructions : " Joy can't get near cold water . Raise the room temp by two degrees . She hasn't been eating 1/2 01 11 Chapter 3 well - make some soup , but no parley in it … " He went on for ten minutes , covering every little detail , terrified of missing anything that might harm Joy or the baby . Esme just stood by the door , quietly watching . Finally , he finished and hurried to the car . She watched him , and a small smile broke through . " Liam , you're going to make a great dad . " He froze , clearly not expecting that . He grabbed her wrist , pain flickering in his eyes . " Esme , you know the only child I'll ever see as mine is the one you'd give me . You know I never had a choice - please , don't say stuff like that . " His palm was still as warm as ever , but she could no longer feel it . Esme didn't reply . She just turned to stare out the rain - splattered window . The car was filled with heavy silence . As they pulled onto the road , Liam tried to break the tension . " So , Esme , what do you need to do at Peace Avenue in this kind of weather ? " She was about to answer when his phone rang . " Mr. Mitchell … my stomach really hurts … " Joy's voice was trembling and teary through the speaker . Liam's face changed instantly . " It's okay . I'll be right back ! " He turned to Esme , looking apologetic . " We're almost at Peace Avenue . Can you get a cab from here ? " " Yeah ." Her voice was steady as she stepped out . The rain came down hard , soaking her in seconds . She stood on the curb , watching his car speed away , and suddenly she laughed . You almost found out what I was really up to , Liam . The storm was wild and there wasn't a cab in sight . Esme walked alone through the downpour , her umbrella snapping in the wind , rain and tears blurring everything . By the time she got to the civil affairs office , she was drenched and shivering - except for the divorce papers , which were dry and perfect in her hands . " Hi , I'm here for a divorce , " she said , passing them over . The clerk looked her up and down , then glanced at the paperwork . " After a month , you can come back for your certificate . " 2/3 01 Chapter 3 When she stepped outside , the rain had stopped . Esme looked up at the suddenly bright sky , feeling a little of the ache in her chest fade away . Maybe , she thought , life after divorce would be just like this - calmer , clearer , a little more hopeful each day . Back at the villa , the house was empty . Upstairs , she heard Liam's gentle voice : " Once upon a time , there was a little prince who met a fox … He was reading a story to Joy , for the baby's sake . Esme felt dizzy . She crawled into bed and pulled the covers over her head . She had no idea how long she slept , but when she woke , her throat was on fire . " Water … " she called , over and over , but all she heard was laughter and stories coming from the next room . " Mr. Mitchell , I hope the baby takes after you - so smart and handsome … " Joy's voice was sugar - sweet . " Don't put yourself down , " Liam's chuckle drifted through the wall . " You're wonderful too - kind , gentle , sweet … Even without seeing them , Esme could imagine Joy's blushing face . They sounded like a real couple , dreaming about their future . Esme forced herself to sit up and reach for her water glass , but her hand was too weak , and she knocked it off the table . Glass shattered everywhere . She knelt to pick up the pieces , but her vision went black and she collapsed onto the floor . Shards of glass dug into her palm , blood trickling out . Gritting her teeth , she cleaned up the mess , patched herself up , found some fever meds , and swallowed them . All the while , the laughter from next door never stopped . Back in bed , Esme suddenly remembered her college days - how , when she'd gotten sick , Liam had climbed the dorm fence just to stay by her side for three straight nights . Back then , he'd grabbed her hand , his eyes red , and whispered , " Esme , when you're hurting , it hurts me even more ." But now ? Liam , do you even remember saying that ? Her tears soaked into her pillow , silent and endless . She closed her eyes and let the darkness take her under . 212