Chapter 1
Everyone said Liam loved Esme like she was his whole world.
He chased after her for ten years, spoiled her for ten years. If she so much as frowned, he’d worry about it for half the day,
But even someone like Liam betrayed her–not once, but three times.
The first time, at a business gala, his rival slipped something into his drink and he ended up spending the night with a college girl.
The day Esme asked for a divorce, Liam put the girl on a plane out of the country that very night. Then he stood outside Esme’s apartment building, letting the rain soak him for three days and three nights.
He begged her, “Esme, I messed up. Please, just forgive me this once”
As she staring at his pale, miserable face, Esme’s heart softened,
The second time, Esme caught him at the hospital, accompanying that same college girl for a prenatal checkup.
His eyes were red as he tried to explain, “Esme, two weeks ago I went abroad for work and got into a car accident. She pulled me out, even though the car could have exploded. She saved my life.”
“Later, we found out she was pregnant. My grandma threatened to cut ties with me if I didn’t keep the baby.” He held Esme tightly, his voice shaking. “Please don’t leave me. I swear, once she has the baby, I’ll send her away. The kid can stay at my family’s estate–they’ll never show up in your life again.”
She believed him.
The third time, he outbid Esme at an auction for her mother’s keepsake.
It was a sapphire necklace–her mom’s favorite, the only thing she had left from her.
But Liam kept bidding, each time more relentless. In the end, he went all out and won, just to give the necklace to that college girl.
Esme barged into the private room and demanded an explanation. Liam only rubbed his temples, exhausted. “She’s been struggling with prepartum depression… she really wanted that necklace.”
“Esme, can’t you just let her have it? Just this once?”
Esme just laughed, tears running down her face. “And what if I say no?” she asked.
He frowned, “Esme, don’t be unreasonable. Joy’s about to give birth. Once the baby’s here, everything will go back to the way it was.”
01 11
”
Esme stared at him, feeling like her heart had been split open. “Go back to the way it was?”
Back when she was the only one in his eyes? When he’d drive three hours through a storm just to buy her a slice of strawberry cake?
Did he even remember?
“Mr. Mitchell-”
A gasp came from behind them. The girl called Joy was leaning against the wall, one hand on her belly, her face pale. “I twisted my ankle… it hurts…”
Liam’s whole expression changed. He pushed Esme aside without a thought and rushed to scoop Joy up in his arms.
His shoulder slammed into Esme, making her stumble back. Her hip hit the table hard, pain shooting through her and cold sweat breaking out along her back.
“Liam!” she called, voice trembling.
But he didn’t even look back. He carried Joy out, leaving Esme with nothing but his retreating figure.
Esme just stood there. The more she laughed, the more she cried.
He owed Joy his life, and now there was a child between them. Liam, you’ll never get rid of her.
How could we possibly go back to the way things were….
She steadied herself, wiped the blood from her forehead, and got into the car.
The driver glanced at her nervously. “Ma’am, should I take you back to the house?”
“No,” she said, closing her eyes. “Take me to the law office.”
Two hours later, Esme walked into the hospital clutching the freshly printed divorce agreement.
Outside the top–floor VIP suite, the bodyguards looked away awkwardly when they saw her.
She stood at the end of the hallway and watched. Liam had booked the entire floor for Joy–doctors and nurses on standby, never leaving her side. If Joy so much as frowned, Liam looked like the world was ending.
“I want tiramisu from that bakery on West Street…” Joy pouted softly.
Liam didn’t hesitate. He grabbed his car keys. “Wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”
Hiding in the shadows, Esme felt like her heart was being carved out of her chest.
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Chapter 1
Only after Liam left did she finally push open the hospital room door.
The moment Joy saw her, her eyes filled with tears. “Ms. Hiller, are you here to blame me? I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I just… I just really liked that
necklace…”
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