Chapter 7 Esme watched the scenery race past her window , heart pounding so hard it almost drowned out the sound of the train . By the time they pulled into the mountain resort , dusk had already settled over the peaks . They were about to hike up to the summit when Liam suddenly stopped . " Esme , I left something in the car . Wait here , okay ? I'll be right back . " She nodded , pulling her coat tighter as the cold wind whipped around her . She waited . The minutes dragged into hours - one , then two , then three . The sky turned black . Shivering , Esme finally pulled out her phone and called Liam . " When are you coming back ? " Her voice was barely more than a whisper , shaky in the howling wind . There was only silence on the other end . Then , after what felt like forever , Liam spoke , his voice icy : " I'm not coming back . I already left . If you want to get back , you'll have to figure it out yourself . " Her stomach dropped . " What are you talking about ? " " This is your punishment . " His tone was so cold , she barely recognized him . " I told you to hold on until the baby was born . But you put abortion pills in Joy's soup . You almost made her lose the baby . Esme , how could you do that ? " Everything inside her froze . Abortion pills ? Almost lost the baby ? What was he saying ? " I didn't- ! " " Still lying ? " Liam snapped . " You made the soup . Who else could it have been ? Do you think Joy would hurt herself or her baby ? That baby is her whole world ! " The wind lashed against her , frost settling on her eyelashes . " So you don't believe me … " " How can I ? " His words came out flat , final . " Walk back on your own . Maybe you'll think things over . " The call ended . Esme stood in the snow , phone in her frozen hand , her fingertips turning purple . Liam's words echoed in her mind , each one sharper than the last . She remembered the day they got their marriage certificate - how he'd pinned her against the cold wall outside the registry office and whispered , " Esme , if you ever try to leave me , I'll keep you by my side forever . " Now he'd left her alone on a snow - covered mountain . The wind howled louder . Esme wrapped her coat tighter and started down the mountain . Suddenly , a low , deep rumble echoed across the slopes . 1/2 Chapter 7 The busy tone of her phone blended with the roar of the storm . Avalanche . She spun around , but it was too late . A wave of snow crashed down , knocking her off her feet . She hit the ground hard , pain slicing through her right leg as she was buried . Shaking , she fumbled for her phone and called Liam again . And again . On the seventh try , someone finally answered . " Liam ! There was an avalanche , I- " " Hello ? " Joy's syrupy voice cut through the static . " Sorry , what ? I can't hear you ." In the background , Esme heard Liam's gentle voice . " Who's calling ? " " Wrong number , " Joy giggled . " Mr. Mitchell , your porridge is amazing . Ever since someone tried to poison me , I feel so much better with you cooking . " A chunk of ice slammed into Esme's back , and she collapsed , the cold swallowing her up . Right before everything went dark , she saw a memory - her wedding day . Liam on one knee , promising her , " Esme , if I ever let you down in this life , may I- " Snow began to fall , soft and silent , covering every word left unsaid . 01.12