Where Love Lingered, Hatred Burnt

The group left in a grand rush as they left Louisa all alone. She struggled to climb out of the pool with her clothes dripping wet. Blood from her forehead mixed with tears and pool water, blurring her vision.

The freezing cold and stabbing pain mixed together, which broke down her last bit of strength. Louisa fell to her knees, crouching on the ground and sobbed helplessly. After she cried until her chest hurt, she finally wiped her tears, forced herself up and hailed a taxi to the nearest hospital.

The doctor cleaned her wound, bandaged her forehead and reminded her to stay warm so it wouldn’t get infected. But when she returned to the empty house, her fever got worse. Her body burned while her mind grew foggy. Eventually, she drifted into a deep sleep.

Louisa had a long dream. In it, her parents were alive, Micah was healthy and their family lived happily without worry. Simon had chased after her for a long time. In the end, they built a warm and loving home together.

But when Louisa opened her eyes, everything was nothing but a lie. The next day, Louisa felt a little better and called her best friend to meet up.

“Are you really leaving?” Alexis asked softly, her eyes filled with sadness.

Louisa smiled and nodded as she answered, “Yes, I am. Don’t forget to visit me in Boston.”

They sat together for a long time, talking about childhood memories and how their lives had changed. When it was time to go, Louisa hugged her friend tightly, then turned to leave. But instead of going home, she went to a bar alone.

She wanted to numb the ache in her heart, so she ordered several strong drinks and downed them one after another. The alcohol burned her throat, which made her relieved. She didn’t know how long she had been drinking when a familiar figure appeared in front of her.

Rebecca stood there in an expensive dress as she was holding a glass of wine. She looked down at Louisa, while giving her a mocking grin.

“Louisa, you’re hurt and still came here to get drunk? You really live without shame.”

Louisa looked up at Rebecca’s fake, self-righteous face. Rage boiled up inside her. Before she could stop herself, she already slapped Rebecca hard across the face.

The sound was sharp and clear. Rebecca held her cheek, but she smiled faintly instead. Without warning, she then dropped her wine glass. The glass shattered, sharp pieces scattering across the floor.

Rebecca calmly took off her high heels and stepped barefoot onto the shards. Pain flashed across her face, but she bit her lip and stayed silent. Just then, Simon burst into the bar, his expression dark and furious.

“Rebecca! Why are you here?”

Rebecca’s eyes instantly filled with tears. She looked pitiful enough to stir anyone’s heart.

“The company asked me to come discuss a project. But I waited for so long with no one ever showed up. Then, I saw Louisa here and just wanted to say hello.”

She glanced at Louisa and added in a shaky voice, “But Louisa must still be angry. She hit me the moment she saw me.”

Simon’s jaw tightened. He turned to the bartender. The bartender swallowed nervously and stammered in response, “Miss Jacobson did … did hit this lady.”

Simon’s gaze turned ice-cold.

“Louisa, are you still going to deny it? What project meeting takes place at a bar? Did you set this up to lure Rebecca here on purpose?”

“If someone hadn’t told me you were here drinking, I’d have worried about you and never realized how cunning you’ve become!”

Louisa laughed bitterly, like she had heard the funniest joke.

“I’m cunning? Simon, you must be really blind.”

Simon then wrapped his arm around Rebecca and started to leave.

“Ah … Louisa, I did everything you wanted … and you still won’t forgive me?”

Rebecca groaned in pain as she was unable to move. Only then did Simon notice Rebecca’s bare feet with blood pooling beneath them. His face turned dark with rage. He scooped her up into his arms and glared at Louisa like she was a stranger.

Without giving her a chance to explain, his voice turned cold and cruel, “Louisa, you’ve gotten bold! Now you bully others without fear. Take off your shoes and walk home barefoot! I’ll punish you for your parents’ sake. If they were still alive, they would never let you become so arrogant!”

After that, he turned to his bodyguards and gave his final order.

“Watch her carefully. Make her walk back barefoot!”