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A week after her father's funeral, Esme received a call from her grandmother, who lives in the countryside. She is Esme maternal grandmother, who is old and lives on a ranch.

"Esme, I heard about your father. I am so sorry, my dear," the old woman spoke sadly.

Esme is seen sitting in her room surrounded by pictures of her parents. Her father left behind a house for her, which is the only thing that still gives her comfort these days.

Noah didn't even bother to call her until then. It's been ten days since her father passed away, so far, Noah hasn't cared. That hurts, badly.

"I am fine, Grandma," Esme lied.

Her grandmother didn't seem to be buying it.

"Esme, I can hear your pain in your voice. You don't have to hide your pain for my sake. I am worried about you, my sweet girl," the old woman said sadly.

Esme looked around the room, feeling lost and lonely.

"Esme, who don't you come and stay with me for a few days?" the old woman suggested.

At that moment, when Esme is feeling suffocated and overwhelmed with grief, she decided that it's the best idea. And moreover, she decided to break up with Noah. It didn't make any sense to continue this charade when he clearly doesn't like her.

"OK, Grandma. I will inform Uncle Sebastian and come to you. I still have a month till my graduation, after that, I will come and stay with you," she agreed.

"That's very good. I will clean up your room for you. See you soon," her grandmother said before they disconnected the call.

Esme decided that she needed a change. With that decided, she neatly packed up the old photos and stuff that belonged to her parents. She packed up everything neatly in boxes to keep them safe.

Later, she took a shower and went to visit Sebastia for everything he had done for her so far. She heard from the nurse that the Ashford had settled the pending hospital bills of her father.

She hired a taxi, as her father's old car is still sitting in the garage because she couldn't afford the repair cost.

Her mind drifted back to the time when she was just seven years old when she lost her mother. Her father was a mess and it took him two days to return from where he was stationed in the marines. It was Sebastian who took care of everything at that time.

She remembered how Noah tried to cheer her up and how their bond grew stronger after that point. He was there for her when he was too young to understand what pain is. But now, he is ignoring her, and she still doesn't know why.

Esme is still confused as to why Noah started hating her so much. They were fine when Uncle Sebastian decided that they should get married after her father returned with an injury from the marines. It was her father's wish, and as she was comfortable with Noah, she agreed. He knows everything about her, but to see that sweet guy disappearing right in front of her eyes, it's a pity.

'Why Noah? What made you recent me so much? I am still the same Esme as before. Then what changed?' she thought sadly.

"Miss, we reached." The taxi driver's voice made her snap out of her thoughts. She paid him and exited the car.

As she entered the Ashford residence, it felt bittersweet. She knows that this might be the last time she is visiting them. After moving away from here, she doesn't want to meet Noah ever again. Even if she forgets and forgives him for the last two years of his resentment and insults, she cannot forget that he left her to die. And he was not here when she needed him the most. Instead of being a burden to him, she decided to set him free.

Just when she stepped her foot inside the foyer, she heard loud voices coming from inside the house. She recognized Noah's voice immediately, followed by Sebastian's voice.

"Dad, she is so vicious. You didn't see how she pushed Nicole into the pool. Nicole had a fever before, and after Esme pushed her, her fever intensified. Dad Esme pretends to be innocent. But she is not. She is very bad, unlike Nicole," Noah was arguing.

Esme was stunned to hear Noah's accusations.

'I pushed Nicole? Is he blind?' she thought with shock.

"Shut up, Noah. You are blind to even think that Esme would do something like that. One more word against Esme, then I will disown you," Sebastian was threatening Noah.

Esme was too stunned to move.

"Dad, she is fooling you all. She is not who she pretends to be. You don't know how much she bullies Nicole behind our backs. If I didn't see the marks on Nicole's arms, even I wouldn't have believed that. Esme is a witch who is fooling you..." a harsh slap echoed from inside.

"Enough, you unfilial son. You are an idiot for believing someone whom you met recently. You have seen Esme since she was just a young girl. How can you suspect Esme and believe that Nicole girl?" Sebastian scolded Noah.

Esma took a deep, shuddering breath. Noah's words hit her hard. There is no reason in the world that can justify his recent actions. Until that moment, Esme didn't know why Noah hated her so much. Turns out, it was Nicole who is sowing discord between them.

'You believed her so easily? Doesn't our years of friendship worth nothing?' she thought sadly.

'I thought it was just a part of the game even when you forced me to kiss our classmate in a truth or dare game behind Noah's back. Turned out, you were plotting behind my back all this while' she realized what a fool she had been.

She walked inside the house with a blank face. Her trust is shattered, her affection and loyalty were played with, and on top of all that, her best friend, who was supposed to be a part of her soul, believed all the lies.

"Uncle Sebastian, I want to break this engagement with Noah," she declared as clarity made her resolve stronger.