Esme couldn't stop crying in front of Ashaya. Ashaya as a mother looked broken seeing her like this. She didn't know what happened but she already guessed what he heard from Percy and Laurence. They simply love each other more than siblings do. Esme wiped her tears and held Ashaya's hands.

"I love him,

" Esme confessed.

"I always love him even back then.

" She said.

"Please let me be with him. I~~I can move out and I'll pay for everything that you spend on me.

"

Ashaya's heart started breaking into pieces. She scooped Esme's face and wiped her wet cheeks.

"No. You don't have to do that.

"

"But I love him. I know that you will be against it.

"

"Did you do it with him?

"

"Yes,

" She said.

"I seduced him… it's my fault. Please don't punish him.

"

"Esme, Laurence is older than you,

" Ashaya said softly.

"I can't change anything that your dad decided.

"

"Please, please talk to him.

" She begged. Ashaya pressed her lips and wiped Esme's tears.

"How about this, you can see each other when you graduate? If both of you haven't found any partner, then you can be together.

"

"I also changed my surname to my mother's…

" She said desperately.

Ashaya didn't know what to do. Her head felt messed up but she needs to be strong because she's their parent. She hugged her.

"Esme, love is just there… but time is unstoppable.

" She gently pulled out to face her.

"Be your very best in college.

"

Esme nodded.

"I'll let you rest. Okay? I'll talk to your dad.

"

Ashaya kissed her forehead and she left her room as she closed the door gently. She sighed and saw Laurence getting into his room. She approached him and followed him inside his room. He looked wasted and had bruises on his face. She went to the bathroom to take the medicine kit. She pressed the speaker and told the maid to deliver an ice bag to Laurence's room. She sat beside him and wiped the blood from his lips.

"I'll talk to your dad, he shouldn't hit you.

"

"Dad is mad at me.

" He said softly.

"But I love Esme and I wasn't lying or playing around. I know what I did, mom.

"

Ashaya sighed.

"I know.

" She pressed her lips as she treated his bruises.

"Your dad loves Esme like his daughter. Every father wouldn't want such a thing to happen.

"

"I know… I'm sorry. But I am not sorry for what I did. I am responsible and I will take care of it. Mom, even without your dad's support of this family's wealth's support. I can give Esme a life…

"

Ashaya held back her tears and nodded. He sounded mature and responsible enough. But Esme is too young and she had a life more than being stuck with Laurence. She's sure that Percy's decision will be good for the two of them. Once she treated Laurence, she told him to sleep. She went to Percy's room and he's sitting on the sofa while drinking whiskey. She approached him and sat beside him.

"You shouldn't hurt him.

"

"I just did,

" Percy mumbled.

"I trusted him to take care of Esme. But looking at what he did. He just ** his sister like that. She's just eighteen.

"

"Percy, what if they both love each other?

"

Percy shook his head.

"Even if they did, I have to separate them. Or else, both of their future will be ruined. Esme can't get pregnant while she's studying. How can she sing on the stage or play her cello when she's pregnant?

" Percy still looked angry from what he witnessed.

"I'm sure that once I separate them, both of them could find someone suitable for them.

"

"That will be awkward,

" Ashaya said.

"Okay, let's say that you are going to separate them. What if they rebel and run off? Laurence even said that he could give Esme a life without our support or the support of your family��s wealth!

"

"I know that you can do that! But that's not what I want for both of them. I want them to have a comfortable life without slaving each other because of finances and other conflicts in life!

"

Ashaya sighed.

"Percy, you can't spoil them always. They need to stand on their own feet.

" She stood.

"Well, at least don't cut them off. Laurence is your son and yet you hit him.

"

Percy exhaled.

"Let's not talk about this. I can't change my decision.

" He mumbled and swig the bottle of whiskey into his mouth.

"Alright!

" Ashaya hands-off.

"You are not sleeping in our bed. Okay? You are staying here.

" She turned back from him and walked toward the door.

"Ash, babe.

" He called.

"Damn it.

" He mumbled.

<><><><><>

Laurence took a cold shower and he called Esme through their secret phone. Esme answered immediately.

"Rence, are you okay?

" Her voice shakes and she sounds like crying again.

"Stop crying, Esme,

" Rence said softly.

"You~~You aren't breaking up with me, right?

" She sniffled.

"No.

" He said.

"Pack a few of your things. We are going to leave once they are asleep.

" Laurence whispered.

"Where are we going?

"

"Just pack a few of your things. Leave your main phone. Just bring this one. Take a few clothes…

"

"I will.

"

"Wait for my signal.

"

"Okay…

"

He hung up and he pulled his duffel bag. He took the cash from his vault. He put it all in his bag and he left everything that has a tracker. He knew it. His father is going to break them apart. Well, he already has a plan. They are going to stay in the house that he purchased by the beach. Esme loves the beach and he'll give it to her. Then, they will fly to New York so she can finish her studies while he searches for a job. He's sure that a lot of people would hire him. If not, he can make a program and sell it in billions or millions.

He took out his laptop and checked the corridors and the security outside. He has a way to leave their house. They can make it to the main gate. He booked a car first. He called Esme and hacked the cameras at the same time. He took his bag and he knocked at Esme's room. She opened it. She got out with her backpack. He held her hand and ran downstairs. Laurence disabled the security alarm so they could leave the house. Once they are outside, he walks around the garden hiding from the roving guards.

The guard from the main gate entered the CCTV room and spoke to someone over the radio. He opened the small gate and closed it. They ran off from the main house and walked outside the subdivision. Almost running. The security of the subdivision greeted them.

"We are off on a trip,

" Laurence said and pulled Esme's backpack as the car outside beep on them. They approached the car and checked the plate number. He opened the door and he let Esme in first.

He was relieved when they left the subdivision to a condo unit. They entered the building and went directly to the parking lot. He removed the cover of the shabby four-by-four car. He opened the door for her. Then, he drove off from the city to another city. He bought food from the convenience store wearing a face mask so no one would recognize him. Then, he drove away to the rest house. Esme stared at him while holding his hand.

"Where are we going?

" She asked.

"To our house.

" He smiled at her and kissed her hand.

"Laurence,

" She called softly.

"What about your parents?

" Her voice sounds lonelier.

"Don't worry about them. They have Zayne and Rosie…

"

"Rence,

"

"Babe,

" He kissed her palm.

"I love you, and I can take care of you.

"

"I know,

"

"We'll stay here for a while then I'll figure things out so I could book a flight to New York. I already found an apartment. It wasn't big but good for our budget.

"

"I have to study and you are going to work?

"

"It should be. Just go and reach your dreams, and I'll always be there for you.

"

"I know you will.

"

They soon reached the rest house that is miles away from their family house. Laurence made sure that there will be no trace at all. When they reached the house, he activated the house, and they went directly to the master's bedroom and cleaned it. They make love shortly. The cold from outside is seeping through the balcony, while the big moon is reflecting on the sea. Soon, the sun will be up and it will seem to disappear down into the sea.

"I love you.

" She kissed his cheeks. She stared at his swollen lips and few bruises on his abdomen and his jaw.

"I'm sorry that dad hurt you.

"

"No,

" He shook his head.

"I deserve it. I lost my dad's trust.

" He kissed her forehead.

"You don't have to worry. I will take care of everything as I promise.

"

"Thank you, my love.

"

"I should thank you because you came into my life.

"