Where Love Lingered, Hatred Burnt

Louisa took a taxi home by herself. When she opened the door, the whole house was filled with Simon’s familiar scent. She pressed down the dull pain in her chest and started packing up her and Micah’s things. When the seven days were over, she would take Micah and leave for good.

As she was leaning tiredly against the wall, Louisa stared at the neatly packed boxes and slowly closed her eyes. At dawn the next morning, she carried a bouquet of white chrysanthemums she had prepared earlier and drove to the cemetery.

Louisa knelt by the tombstone and gently wiped it clean as she spoke happily, “Mom, Dad, I’m going to marry Mr. Perkins soon. Don’t worry about me. They say he’s weak and sickly. I’m sure he won’t be able to boss me around. I won’t get hurt there.”

She then paused with her fingertips brushing over the smiling faces in the photo on the tombstone. Tears filled her eyes, but she forced a small smile as she continued, “I’ll take good care of Micah. His heart will get better, so he’ll grow up healthy. You both should rest peacefully, okay?”

After she left the cemetery, Louisa had lunch and wandered aimlessly around the city for a while before heading home. But as soon as she pushed open the gate, she froze in shock. The normally quiet, simple garden was completely transformed.

Colorful balloons floated in the air, ribbons hung from the trees and soft yellow lights wound around the branches. A sweet scent drifted all around. Louisa couldn’t help but frown as stepped forward cautiously. Suddenly, every light turned on.

A crowd of people jumped out from the shadows, shouting together, “Louisa, happy birthday!”

Rebecca stepped forward from the crowd, pushing a giant birthday cake. Her smile was bright and warm.

“Louisa, I know the interview last time was unfair to you. Simon saved me, but you got hurt instead. I’ve been feeling so guilty. So today, on your birthday, I wanted to make it up to you and apologize.”

Louisa’s face immediately turned grim. She rushed forward, raised her hand and flipped the cake to the ground. Her voice cracked with anger, “Who told you to do this? Who gave you permission to do this in my house?”

Rebecca was frightened with Louisa’s reaction. Her eyes were reddening as she was said. She opened her mouth to speak, but Louisa cut her off, her whole body trembling.

“Get out! I’ve never celebrated my birthday! And I don’t need your fake apology!”

Simon rushed over as he immediately pulling Rebecca behind him. His expression was full of frustration as he scolded Louisa.

“Rebecca was just trying to do something nice for you and apologize. How can you act like this? Where are your manners?”

Louisa just gasped before staring at him in disbelief with tears filling her eyes.

Her voice shook as she responded, “She doesn’t know … but you don’t know either?”

Simon knew exactly what this day meant to her. It wasn’t just her birthday. It was also the anniversary of her parents’ death. Since she turned eighteen, she had never celebrated it.

His eyes flickered with worry and guilt when he saw her pain. But when he looked at Rebecca’s innocent and pitiful face, he let out a helpless sigh.

“Rebecca meant well.”

“Enough. Get out!”

Louisa didn’t let Simon finish. She pushed through the crowd and ran outside with tears streaming down her face. She didn’t want to fight with anyone today.

“I’ll go apologize to Louisa!”

Rebecca quickly followed Louisa. Once she already caught up to Louisa, she grabbed Louisa’s arm. Her eyes were still red, but filled with cold cruelty as she whispered, “Today’s the anniversary of your parents’ death, right? Simon knows … yet he still let me throw this birthday party for you.”

“Tell me, do you really think he loves you?”

Her words struck Louisa like a spark to dry wood, igniting all her fury. Louisa spun around and raised her hand to slap Rebecca. But before her palm could land, Rebecca stepped back with a sly smile and let herself fall backward into the swimming pool.

At that exact moment, Simon and his friends arrived. All they saw was Louisa with her hand raised and Rebecca falling into the water.

“Rebecca!”

Simon’s face went pale. Without hesitation, he dove into the pool and scooped Rebecca into his arms. Rebecca clung to him, shivering in her soaked clothes. Her voice trembled with pain as she cried, “Louisa, I just wanted to say sorry … Why did you push me?”

Louisa’s whole body shook with rage. She lifted her hand again, but Simon caught her wrist and shoved it away.

“Louisa, that’s enough! You’ve gone too far!” he roared.

The edge of the pool was wet and slippery. Louisa stumbled backward, lost her footing and fell hard into the pool. The icy water swallowed her, while a sharp pain burst across her forehead as blood trickled into the water.

Simon’s heart clenched when he saw Louisa sinking. He almost let go of Rebecca to save Louisa. But Rebecca clutched his shirt desperately with her pale face and spoke weakly, “Simon, I’m so cold. My body hurts … I think I’m having aftereffects from before.”

Simon froze for a split second. After that, he looked down at the fragile woman in his arms and carried Rebecca out of the pool without a second glance. After all, Louisa could swim. This was a small pool. So, she wouldn’t drown.

“Hurry! Get Rebecca to the hospital!” he shouted.