Where Love Lingered, Hatred Burnt

Louisa trembled as she asked, “Why?”

Simon’s gaze were icy cold as he spoke threateningly in a sharp tone, “It’s because you hurt Rebecca without a care. If you don’t do as I say, Micah’s surgery tomorrow will be delayed.”

The moment he spoke, Louisa’s face turned pale. She stared at his merciless expression. Her shaky laughter fading as tears spilled down her cheeks. Slowly, she bent down, slipped off her high heels and placed her bare feet on the icy ground.

“Fine, I’m leaving.”

Simon gave a cold snort and carried Rebecca away. With every step Louisa took, sharp pain shot through her feet like needles piercing her skin. The gravel at the bar entrance and the rough sand along the roadside cut into her flesh, but none of it hurt as much as the ache in her heart.

As she walked, memories of their past flooded her mind.

The very first time Louisa confessed, Simon said, “Louisa, you’re still too young.”

The tenth time, he told her, “Louisa, I only see you as a sister.”

The fiftieth time, his eyes held back desire as he said, “I want you to like me for who I am, not just because you depend on me.”

And on the ninety-ninth time, before she could even speak, Simon pulled her into his arms with his voice choked with emotion. “Louisa, I’ll accept it even if it’s just a reckless impulse!”

Simon used to hold her whenever she felt wronged. He would tell her to fight back and never let herself be bullied. When Louisa sprained her ankle, he stayed home for two whole months. He would work remotely just to care for her. He had been her legs, carrying her everywhere she wanted to go.

Now, that same love had turned into a blade stabbing her heart.

Each step left painful as she kept bleeding. Louisa didn’t know how long she walked before she finally reached home. By then, her feet were a bloody mess, cut and bruised, tiny stones and sand clinging to the wounds. Every movement brought excruciating pain.

Leaning on the doorframe, Louisa staggered inside and immediately called the family doctor. After he treated her injuries, she was lying on the sofa as she trying to calm down. Then, her phone vibrated. It was Simon.

She froze for a moment, but she then answered the call almost without thinkin. Before she could speak, a breathless, sticky voice came through the line.

Rebecca panted softly, speaking, “Simon, I feel so awful …”

Simon’s voice was low and tense as he said, “You’ve been drugged. Don’t be scared, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Rebecca’s tone turned sweet and coaxing as she responded, “No … If we go to the hospital, people will see. I don’t want anyone to know.”

Louisa’s hand shook violently as she clutched the phone. She could hear fabric rustling on the other end. Then Rebecca’s soft groan rang out, followed by her pleading words.

“Simon, help me … ”

Her voice was seductive, almost whispering, as she continued, “I know you love Louisa. I won’t tell her about this. I’ll leave New York afterward. Just … just think of it as repaying the debt of saving your life, okay?”

Silence hung in the air, broken only by Rebecca’s breathless moans. Then, Louisa heard Simon’s heavy breathing and the distinct sound of clothes falling to the ground before the call ended abruptly. A loud ringing filled her ears as her mind went blank.

Louisa shot to her feet and stumbled into the bathroom, ignoring the sharp pain in her injured feet. She knelt by the toilet and retched violently. Acid burned her throat as tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision.

She stayed there all night, vomiting until dawn. Then, her phone rang again. This time, it was the nurse’s urgent voice.

“Miss Jacobson! Micah’s having an emergency. The doctors are treating him now. Please come quickly!”