Chapter 6 The air in the hospital room went heavy all at once . The nurse , face flushed with embarrassment , hugged the chart to her chest and made a quick escape . Suddenly , it was just Esme and Liam - him standing in the doorway , their eyes meeting and neither of them looking away . " Are you still mad about the blood test ? " Liam asked , sounding like he finally got it . He stepped closer , reaching out to touch her face . " It was life or death , Esme . I didn't have a choice . " Esme turned away , dodging his hand . His fingers hovered awkwardly in the air for a second before he let them drop . " When this all settles down ," he said , his voice softer now , " let's finally take that trip to the mountains . Just us . What do you think ? " She closed her eyes , too tired to answer . He waited , but when she kept quiet , he tried again . " Do you know when you'll be discharged ? " Something felt off . Esme opened her eyes and looked at him . " Why ? What is it ? " Liam hesitated , then admitted , " Joy's been craving your yam and pork rib soup … Nobody else makes it right . I just can't trust anyone but you. " She froze . For a second , every emotion she'd kept down crashed over her anger , heartbreak , disbelief , even a little bit of dark humor . She wanted to ask him : What am I to you , really ? Your wife , or Joy's personal chef? But in the end , all she said was , " Okay . When I'm home , I'll make some and have it sent over . " His eyes lit up . He bent down and kissed her on the forehead . " Esme , you're always so understanding . " She barely felt the kiss , numb inside . Of course she was understanding . So understanding that even after being hurt - her ribs broken by his lover - she still had to get up and make soup for the woman who hurt her . " I just want her baby to be born safe ," she said quietly . For the first time , Liam seemed to sense something was wrong . He frowned . " I thought you … weren't happy about that baby before . " She gave him a twisted little smile . " Not anymore . " Because now , all she wanted was for their family , such as it was , to stay whole . No one missing , not even one . 1/2 -יונה Chapter 6 He looked at her for a long time , like he was trying to read her mind , but in the end he just checked his watch and stood up . " Joy needs her meds . I'll come see you later ." The door clicked shut . Esme slowly lay back on the bed , staring at the ceiling . Out of nowhere , she laughed . Liam didn't come back for five whole days . When Esme was finally discharged , she went home , kept her promise , and cooked the soup . She told the driver to take it to the hospital . Then she started packing - passport , documents , a few of her favorite clothes . Their photo was still on the nightstand . She looked at it for a long moment , then turned it face down . On the sixth night , Liam finally came home . Joy wasn't with him . " Joy didn't come back with you ? " Esme asked without thinking . Liam looked at her , eyes deep and searching . " She's still at the hospital , resting . " " That long ? She still isn't discharged ? " Esme frowned . He just nodded , then stepped closer . " Actually , it's good she's not here . Esme , I promised you a trip to the mountains . Everything's set . Let's go now . ' Before she could react , Liam grabbed her wrist , already leading her toward the door . His grip was tight - almost too tight . Esme stumbled after him , an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach . His expression was strange , eyes cold , like there was a sheet of ice between them . The car ride was silent . Uncomfortably so . Liam held the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were white . 212