Chapter 18

Cersei turned back and saw the scene. She hesitated for a moment, then simply looked at Violet Garcia, silently waiting for her to continue.

Begging was hard, especially before someone she had once despised so deeply. But fearing Cersei would leave again, Violet gritted her teeth and finally spoke. “I know it’s my fault. I don’t want to go to prison. Please, forgive me.”

“Not long ago, you tried to kill me.” Her voice was cold, devoid of any emotion. “Violet, tell me, why should I forgive you?”

Violet stammered for a long while, unable to say another word. She could only watch as Cersei turned and walked away, disappearing into the distance.

After dealing with Violet, Cersei went to see Louis. He was lying in the hospital bed, just waking up.

Seeing her beside his bed, a flash of joy crossed his heart. Instinctively, he reached for her hand, but it fell empty.

He noticed the ring on her middle finger—unmistakably the one Hurley had used to propose. He realized that she had accepted Hurley’s proposal.

Louis froze, feeling as if someone had punctured his chest. “You still… accepted him.”

Cersei glanced at the ring on her finger, the corners of her lips curving into a slight smile, and her eyes reflected the happiness. “Yes. He’s very good to me. He loves me, and I love him too.”

Her straightforward words drained the color from his face. A sharp pain shot through his heart. He stubbornly stared at her, searching for even the slightest hint of spite in her expression. But there was none. Even in the way she looked at him, there was no trace of lingering attachment.

Seven Years of Obsession: Now I Don’t Even Remember Your Name

“Between us, is there truly no possibility left?”

His voice became hoarse. There was a pleading look in his eyes, as if begging for even a small bit of hope. Even if she were to lie to him, at least leave him with some sliver of hope.

After a moment of silence, Cersei’s gaze fell on his bandaged chest. In the end, she didn’t answer his question, instead changing the subject.

“I came to thank you. If not for you, I might be the one lying here now.”

She paused, then continued. “The doctor said your condition was critical—that knife nearly pierced your heart. They specifically warned that you shouldn’t experience strong emotional fluctuations right now. You should rest. After all, you were hurt for me. Hurley and I will be visiting you often.”

Her words didn’t answer his question, yet in a way, they did. Louis didn’t want to see Hurley at all, but he feared that if he refused, Cersei would stop coming too. Finally, he could only lapse into silence.

The evening sunlight streamed through the window, bathing her in a golden glow. Louis stared at her, lost in his gaze. But she stood to leave.

“Where are you going?” he asked instinctively.

She was silent for a moment, not answering his question. Instead, she looked at him pointedly. “I don’t like wavering in a relationship, Louis. When I decide to let go, I really mean it.”

Just then, the hospital room door opened. Hurley walked in carrying a food container. He glanced at the atmosphere between the two but didn’t ask any questions. He smiled at Cersei and said, “I made your favorite soup. Want to join me for dinner?”

Cersei nodded.

They left together. And the door closed, leaving Louis alone.

The room fell completely silent. He lay in the hospital bed, staring at the spotless… The smell of disinfectant permeated the air—unpleasant. But strangely, his mind wandered to the past.