Where Love Lingered, Hatred Burnt

Louisa Jacobson confessed her love ninety-nine times and finally won Simon Griswolds, the most handsome man in New York. He said he loved her deeply, but he kept hurting her again and again because of Rebecca Harrison, the woman who had saved his life.

When a chandelier fell, Simon carried Rebecca away but left Louisa hurt. He allowed Rebecca to throw a birthday party for Louisa, knowing well that Louisa’s birthday was also the day her parents had died.

When Rebecca spread lies about Louisa, he didn’t even ask questions. Instead, Simon had his bodyguards throw Louisa into the swimming pool and forced her to walk home barefoot.

Louisa later fainted with a fever, her feet torn and bleeding, but Simon only cared about Rebecca. When Micah’s life was on the line, Simon even sent all the doctors to treat Rebecca instead.

The nurses in the hospital whispered to each other.

"I heard Miss Harrison on the top floor tore herself from too much sex last night. She’s been dizzy all day. After many tests, they found nothing wrong. Mr. Griswolds was so worried that he called all the specialists to examine her."

"Shh! Mr. Griswolds said no one can spread this news. You could lose your job!"

Louisa’s blood turned cold. She ran to the top floor, begging Simon to send a doctor to Micah, but his bodyguards blocked her. Her beloved brother closed his eyes forever.

At that moment, Louisa finally understood. Simon never loved her.

She then made a call.

"Hello, Mrs. Perkins. This is Louisa Jacobson. I’m going to Boston to arrange a marriage with Mr. Perkins, but I need a favor. Erase every trace of me."

Louisa wanted Simon to know that her love wasn’t for everyone. She would leave, making him and Rebecca pay the price.

——

“Miss Jacobson, all of Micah’s doctors were called by Mr. Griswolds to treat Miss Harrison,” the nurse spoke carefully as she watched Louisa, whose red dress swayed around her legs.

Everyone in New York high society knew who Louisa Jacobson was. A stunning, spoiled and strong-willed woman. She was very different from the polite, educated daughters of old money families.

But Simon Griswolds, the most-seeked bachelor of the New York elites, managed to be win over by Louise after she confessed 99 times to the man who infamously known to hate women. Two months earlier, Simon had brought back his savior named Rebecca Harrison after finishing his expedition.

Rebecca was a reporter who went with the team. While gathering data at the top of the mountain, heavy rain suddenly hit. She and Simon got separated from the others. Unfortunately, Simon was accidentally hurt. Thanks to her survival skills, Rebecca was able to save Simon.

They spent a stormy night together in a cave before help arrived the next day. Out of gratitude, Louisa gave Rebecca boxes of jewels and expensive gifts. However, Rebecca kept refusing. Instead, she sad that she had self-respect and didn’t save lives for rewards. After that, Louisa didn’t push her.

From the moment Louisa met Simon, she wanted to stay by his side forever. She even prepared to propose and had done so seven times already, but each attempt failed. The reason was simple. Simon was always called away because of Rebecca’s sudden emergencies.

Today was the eighth try. Rebecca fainted due to low blood sugar. Without saying a word, Simon shoved Louisa aside and rushed to the hospital.

If the nurse hadn’t called her, Louisa wouldn’t have known that Simon had taken all of Micah’s doctors for Rebecca. He knew well that Micah’s heart condition couldn’t wait.

So, Louisa took a deep breath as she pushed down the bitterness in her chest before heading toward Rebecca’s room. The door was half-open. Rebecca rested against Simon’s arms with half-closed eyes while he gently wiped her forehead with a damp towel.

Louisa kicked the door open with her high heels, which caused the loud sound that startled everyone inside.

Rebecca woke up, leaning on her elbows and smirking as she said, “Louisa, you’re here!”

Louisa crossed her arms and walked closer as she let out a faint smile.

“What kind of sickness needs so many doctors? If they can’t fix it, I’ll hire an expert from overseas.”

Before she could get near, Simon stood up. He immediately blocked her with his tall frame. In the light behind him, his brow furrowed as he spoke coldly, “Louisa, don’t cause trouble. Did you come here just to make things harder for Rebecca?”

Louisa sneered in response before asking, “Cause trouble? Who gave you the right to take all of Micah’s doctors?”

Simon just sighed as he said, “Rebecca isn’t feeling well. I just asked a few doctors to come check on her. Stop being so unreasonable. Besides, Micah is safe here in the Griswolds hospital.”

Before Louisa could reply, Rebecca let out a weak groan. Simon quickly turned to the doctor with his voice sounded urgent. After that, he grabbed Louisa’s wrist and dragged her out roughly. He ignored how red and sore it became under his grip.

Just before the door shut, Louisa saw Simon carefully lift Rebecca’s coat and help her sit up. Rebecca shot her a smug smile. In the hallway, wealthy ladies gave Louisa mocking looks with passing nurses whispered behind her back.

Louisa bit the inside of her cheek to calm herself. After she left the hospital, she drove straight to Brooklyn. Without further ado, Louisa drank glass after glass of wine. Her vision slowly blurred thanks to that.

Memories of her eighteenth birthday flooded back. The Jacobson Family had held a grand party for her. She had been overjoyed until news came that her parents had died. That rainy night, the crash, the blood and her mother clutching the birthday cake burned into her memory forever.

Her uncle, Jonathan Jacobson, wanted her family’s fortune. Not to mention, the elders of the Jacobson Family saw her as nothing more than a bargaining chip. To protect herself, Louisa began living a life of excess as she became the spoiled heiress known to the elite families.

However, the Jacobson Family would lower their guard this way. It meant that her sick five-year-old brother, Micah Jacobson, could stay safe. Everyone tried to use her, except Simon.

Simon was her father’s close friend. He stayed by her side during the funeral and sent Micah to the Griswolds Hospital for careful care. He took her skiing, watched sunrises with her, chased the northern lights and told her stories to chase away her nightmares.

Whenever she liked something, no matter how rare or costly, Simon made sure she had it.

He once told her, “Louisa, you can let it all out. No one will dare hurt you. I’ll always stay with you. You, me and Micah, we’ll always be together.”

Louisa fell deeply in love with him and chased Simon relentlessly. It was the only thing she had ever truly committed to. She drank more wine now as she was trying to drown out all her painful memories.

As night fell, she stood to leave the bar. When she passed by the VIP room of the bar, she froze. Simon sat with his friends inside the VIP room.

“Why did you tell Jonathan Jacobson about that weak heir of the Perkins Family looking for a bride and then give him land in the south so he could trick Louisa into thinking you’d marry her?” one of the Simons’ friends asked.

Simon swirled the ice in his glass with a crisp and cold sound.

After a pause, he spoke, “Rebecca’s mother doesn’t have long to live. She wants to see Rebecca married before she dies. Rebecca begged me, so I can’t say no.”

“Louisa is too wild. I can’t let Rebecca’s mother see me marrying her. Louisa will just have to suffer for a while. She’s used to being spoiled.”

“After Rebecca’s mother passes, I’ll give Louisa a grand wedding.”

Simon said each word with certainty as if he already arranged everything like it was already decided.

Meanwhile, Louisa’s legs went weak. She immediately leaned on the wall for balance. No wonder her family had treated her so kindly lately. Even Uncle Jonathan had started preparing her dowry. It was all Simon’s plan. Her mind went blank and a buzzing filled her ears.

Just as she turned to leave, Simon’s voice rang out again, “In a week, Rebecca and I will marry to fulfill her mother’s wish. Make sure Louisa is taken away for a few days. Otherwise, she’ll definitely cause trouble.”

His friends agreed without hesitation. Louisa didn’t remember how she got home. As soon as she walked in, Uncle Jonathan called.

“Louisa, your wedding with Mr. Griswolds is coming soon. Isn’t it time to pack your belongings in the Jacobson Family’s estate? After all, a married daughter doesn’t need to go back to her original family.”

In response, Louisa stayed silent. But her uncle didn’t sound surprised.

“Louisa, just remember to pack,” he repeated.

But Uncle Jonathan forgot to hang up. A few seconds later, Aunt Wynona’s voice came through on the other end, “Baby, you’re so smart. You tricked Mr. Griswolds and the Perkins Family. We’ll knock her out and send her to the Perkins. That way, we’ll take money from both sides.”

“Since Louisa sleeps around, no one will be surprised.”

Louisa trembled, then hung up. It took her a long time to steady herself. She called a friend and asked for the Perkins Family’s number.

After that, Louisa went to her study. She pulled out her plan for the ninth proposal and her photo album and fed them into the shredder without hesitation. Soon, everything turned to confetti.

Her seven years of love, from eighteen to twenty-five, were reduced to ashes in minutes. Message notifications rang nonstop. At the top was Simon’s final message.

[Louisa, don’t be mad. I really, really love you!]

She didn’t open it. Instead, she dialed the number her friend gave her. After a pause, a woman answered.

“Hello, Mrs. Perkins,” Louisa said, her voice steady.

“I’ll be in Boston in a week to arrange a marriage with Mr. Perkins. But I need one thing. Destroy the Jacobson Family and erase all traces of Micah and me.”

The woman on the other end went silent, then asked carefully, “Louisa, are you certain?”

Louisa’s reply was firm and cold.

She thought to herself, ‘Simon, my love is something I can give … and take back.’