Chapter 19
“Esme, what do you want for dinner tonight?”
Neil pushed the shopping cart as they wandered the aisles, Esme right by his side. She laughed and rattled off a few dishes she’d been craving. Neil agreed to every single one without a
second thought.
His smile was contagious, lighting up his whole face. He squeezed her hand a little tighter as they made their way out of the store, bags full of groceries dangling from their arms.
“I want to stop by the café first and sort out the coffee beans for tomorrow,” Esme said, swinging their joined hands between them. “You coming with me, Mr. Artist?”
Neil leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Their sweet moment didn’t go unnoticed. Someone else was watching.
Liam appeared out of nowhere, storming over and yanking Esme into his arms. His eyes were wild, full of jealousy.
“Esme!” He gripped her shoulders, his voice raw as he pressed a desperate kiss to her forehead. “How could you let someone else touch you? How could you do this to me?”
His eyes were red, and his pain was written all over his face. “Do you even know how much it hurt, seeing you with him?”
He held her tight, refusing to let go, no matter how much Esme struggled. Then, out of nowhere, he kissed her–hard, like he wanted to wipe away any trace of another man.
“Esme, you’re mine. Only mine…”
She saw her own fear reflected in his dark eyes.
“Let her go!” Neil shouted, stepping forward and landing a punch right across Liam’s face.
Stunned, Liam finally let go. Esme broke free and ran straight into Neil’s arms, tears streaming down her face.
“Neil…” Her voice was barely a whisper. Neil pulled her behind him, holding her close.
Liam wiped the blood from his lip, his eyes wild and desperate.
“Esme.” She clapped her hands over her ears, not wanting to hear another word.
“Please, Esme, don’t do this.” Liam’s voice cracked, all his pride gone. “If you turn away, it’ll kill
me…”
“Just look at me, please.” He was begging now, all dignity lost.
But Esme just squeezed her eyes shut. Seeing her like that, Neil wrapped his arms around her even tighter.
Chapter 19
“Liam, let her go,” Neil said, his voice suddenly cold. “Haven’t you hurt her enough? What right do you have to show up now?”
Liam didn’t respond. He just stared at Esme, heartbreak etched deep in his eyes.
Neil didn’t wait for an answer. He lifted Esme gently and flagged down a cab, carrying her
inside.
He kissed her temple and whispered soothing words as the taxi pulled away, leaving Liam standing alone on the curb.
Liam watched the car disappear, pain hollowing him out from the inside. So this is what it feels like, he thought–watching the person you love leave with someone else. If he’d known before, he never would have let Joy walk into the Mitchell family.
***
“Esme, are you okay?”
She opened her eyes, realizing she was lying in a soft bed. Neil sat beside her, worry creasing his features. When she woke up, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
“Neil…” she murmured, rubbing her eyes as he offered her a mug.
“Don’t worry about any of that now. Just drink some water.”
Esme nodded and took the mug from him.
Pearl, her cat, jumped up and nudged her hand, meowing insistently.
“She’s been waiting for you to wake up,” Neil said with a small smile, scratching Pearl’s head before turning his gentle eyes back to Esme.
“I made your favorite veggie porridge. Promise me you’ll rest and not overthink things, okay?”
Esme met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest.
“I already sorted out the morning delivery for the café. Once you finish your soup, I’ll take care of everything else.”
“Just rest, my Esme.”
He kissed her, slow and lingering, like he never wanted to let her go.
“I’ll go get your soup.”
Neil smiled and headed downstairs, not noticing Esme’s cheeks turning bright red the second he left the room.
14:40
