Chapter 9 Esme couldn't stand another word . She turned away and headed straight for the backyard pool . The night air was sharp and cool . She had barely settled on the edge , feet skimming the water , when Joy appeared behind her . " Mrs. Mitchell ," Joy called out , her hand resting on her pregnant belly , her smile all honey and poison . " Mr. Mitchell promised me a beach house in South Bay once the baby's born . " She leaned in , lowering her voice to a secretive whisper . " Oh , and do you know why Mr. Mitchell lost control that night after taking his medicine ? At the party , I wore that white dress you always love - the exact same style . He thought I was you . So really , I owe you for everything I have now … " Esme turned , about to reply- A loud splash cut her off . Joy suddenly tumbled headfirst into the pool , water exploding everywhere . " Help ! My baby- ! " Joy screamed , flailing in the water , her voice shrill and terrified . By the time the rest of the Mitchell family came running at the noise , they saw Joy struggling in the pool and Esme just standing there , face unreadable . Chaos erupted . Liam jumped in to pull Joy out , but before he could , Grandma Mitchell stormed up and slapped Esme across the face . " You heartless girl ! Apologize right now ! " Esme's head whipped to the side , blood appearing at the corner of her mouth . Slowly , she turned back , a strange smile on her lips . " Fine . I'll apologize . " Then , without hesitation , she grabbed Joy - who'd just been dragged out - and shoved her right back into the pool . A scream ripped from Grandma Mitchell . Esme yanked off the Mitchell family's heirloom bangle - the one Grandma Mitchell had given her on her wedding day - and threw it to the ground . The bangle shattered with a sharp crack , fragments scattering under the moonlight . As she walked away , Liam's voice echoed behind her , calling her name in disbelief . But this time , she didn't look back . Esme had just gotten home when the front door slammed open . 01.12 Chapter 9 Liam burst in , rain - soaked and out of breath , his jacket dripping , hair still wet . He must've chased after her without even stopping to think . His eyes were wild - anger , panic , something else battling inside him . " I did nothing wrong ." Esme's voice was cold . " If you want me to apologize , then let's just get a divorce . " The word hit him like a punch . His face went ghostly pale . " Don't say that ! " Liam's voice shook . He rushed over , pulling her hard into his arms . " You know a divorce would destroy me ! " She looked up at his red - rimmed eyes and suddenly found it funny , in a sad sort of way . " And what about me ? " she whispered . " Liam , did you ever think about me ? " He froze , at a loss for words . " I know you hate that Joy and the baby are here . But Grandma threatened to kill herself , and Joy … she did save my life once . How could I ask her to get rid of the baby ? " His voice was rough . " Esme , please , try to understand … " " So you thought about Grandma . You thought about Joy . " She gave a tired , crooked smile . " But you never thought about me , did you ? " He opened his mouth , but whatever he wanted to say never came out . He just held her tighter . " It's over now , " he murmured , his hand moving gently along her back , as if she were a child who needed calming . " I'll talk to Grandma . Once the baby's born , everything will go back to normal …" She leaned into his chest , breathing in that familiar cedar scent , and felt an overwhelming tiredness settle in her bones . His arms were still warm , his heartbeat steady and close . But her own heart felt colder with every second . There was no going back . Never again . Liam , I'm moving on with my life - and from now on , you're not a part of it . 212