Louis returned home late that evening. Cersei lay in bed with her back to him, silent as if already asleep. But it was far earlier than her usual bedtime. Assuming she was still upset, he slipped into bed and pulled her into his arms.
“Come on, I already used a forgiveness card. And I’ve sent the pendant to be repaired. Don’t stay mad, okay?”
She neither pulled away from his embrace nor answered him. As he prepared to say more, his phone rang. Seeing the name on the screen, he hesitated briefly before getting up and walking away to answer.
“What is it?”
Soon, Violet’s tearful voice came through the speaker. “Louis, I’m scared being alone in the hospital…”
Louis looked back toward the bedroom, noting she hadn’t changed position. He lowered his voice, his tone indulgent and resigned.
“Wait for me. I’ll be right there.”
Once her crying calmed down, he ended the call and returned to the bedside.
“Cersei, there’s something urgent at work. I have to head over. Take a break, love you.”
Without waiting for a response, Louis hurriedly left the room. Silence fell once again. Cersei slowly opened her eyes, looking toward the doorway with a self-mocking smile. Despite his attempt to take the call on the balcony, she had heard their conversation clearly.
Seven Years of Obsession: Now I Don’t Even Remember Your Name Chapter 2
She couldn’t tell whether she felt more heartbroken or relieved. She could only console herself: it didn’t matter—only three chances remained.
Days passed, and Louis came home later and later. That day, just after 7 PM, Cersei received his message:
[Cersei, it’s a busy night at the office again. Don’t wait up for dinner.]
She knew it was all lies about work. A few minutes later, her phone vibrated again—a photo from Violet. Louis stood in an apron with rolled-up sleeves, making pasta.
This drama played out almost daily. Louis would make an excuse about work. But soon after, Violet would provocatively send photos and videos. Some showed him feeding Violet pasta; others captured them watching fireworks together or enjoying movies.
Each time, Cersei pretended she hadn’t seen anything. Until one night, her phone dinged again. Expecting more bait from Violet, she almost deleted it—until the preview brought a flash of joy to her face:
[Ms. Winters, your pendant has been repaired and is ready for pickup.]
She immediately changed and followed the address to New York’s largest mall. Just as she exited the repair shop, a familiar voice came from nearby.
“Louis, it’s just a little hurt. Do we really need all these gifts?”
Cersei turned her head and froze. There was Violet carrying shopping bags, playfully pouting at Louis beside her. He smiled, his voice warm and doting.
“This is too much? If you like them, I’d buy you this entire mall.”
Violet squealed with delight at his words. At that moment, Louis happened to look up, and their eyes met. Louis flinched. He instinctively stepped away from Violet.
“Cersei, what are you doing here?”
“My pendant,” she said calmly. “It’s ready. I came to pick it up. Weren’t you busy at the office?”
Her voice remained even, yet somehow it made him anxious. Noticing her gaze shift to Violet, Louis scrambled to explain.
“There was work—I mean, I was taking Violet on a company site visit, and we passed by here, so I figured I’d grab some gifts for the staff…”
The lie was pitiful. Cersei stared at him steadily. She didn’t ask why a CEO needed to buy gifts in person. She didn’t ask why he was walking so close to Violet if they were just shopping for gifts. Or why he’d say something so outrageous about buying out the entire mall just to please her.
She parted her lips to speak. But chaos broke out before she could.
“Run! Someone’s gone crazy with a knife!”
Screams and shouts erupted as people scattered in panic, creating instant chaos. The three of them turned instinctively toward the noise. A man in striped hospital clothes pulled a knife from his waistband and was swinging it wildly at anyone in reach.