After Simon came home, Louisa sat quietly on the sofa. There was an unlit cigarette resting between her fingerst. Meanwhile, the neon lights outside the window cast shifting colors across her pale face.

“Louisa, I’m back!”

Simon smiled softly as he walked toward her. He gently took her wrist and brushed it with his fingertips.

“I was too impatient this afternoon. I’m sorry. Please, don’t stay mad.”

After that, Simon sat beside her as he pulled Louisa into his arms, speaking tenderly, “The specialist team has created a full treatment plan for Micah. The surgery has a very high success rate. After it’s done, he’ll be able to live a normal and healthy life.”

Louisa kept her eyes down in silence as she refused to look at or speak to him. Simon cupped her neck and tilted her head up. Then, he kissed her lips over and over.

His tone was full of regret as he continued, “I know you’re upset with me, but Rebecca saved my life. Her health isn’t good, so I’m just helping her as repayment. Other than that, there’s nothing between us.”

Louisa’s heart trembled. She lifted her gaze. Her beautiful, bright eyes were now misty with emotion. She stared at him and she asked Simon with a soft yet firm voice, “If I had been the one to save you, would you do anything for me?”

Simon froze for a second, but then smiled and gently stroked her hair.

“Of course. But I would never let you be in that kind of danger in the first place. I couldn’t stand to see you hurt.”

While Simon continued to talk, he failed to notice the light fading from Louisa’s eyes. Meanwhile, Louisa didn’t answer. Instead, she slowly pulled her hand from his and stood up to go to the bedroom. She left Simon on the sofa who thought that she was simply throwing a childish tantrum.

The next day was the Jacobson Group’s press conference. Louisa had to attend as the company’s representative. She hadn’t wanted to show up at such an event, but she couldn’t let her Uncle Jonathan take full credit for the company her parents had built with their own hands.

The moment she appeared, all attention turned to her. Whispers filled the crowd, full of awe and envy.

“Miss Jacobson is truly stunning. No wonder Mr. Griswolds, who used to hate women, fell for her.”

“Anyone else who tried to get close to Mr. Griswolds would be dismissed, but Miss Jacobson can do whatever she wants in front of him.”

“When her high heels gave her blisters, Mr. Griswolds knelt on the ground to put a Band-Aid on her foot. Who would’ve thought that a man like him would bow so low for love?”

Louisa heard every word clearly. When she saw their jealous expressions, it made the bitterness in her chest grow even sharper. She quickened her steps into the interview room.

Moments later, the reporters arrived. But leading them was Rebecca who was dressed in an elegant, expensive designer dress. Holding the microphone, she smiled sweetly at Louisa.

Louisa frowned, her voice cold as she spoke first, “Why are you here?”

Before Rebecca could answer, Simon appeared behind her. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a slim waist. His custom suit highlighted his powerful build and his commanding presence instantly silenced the room.

Simon walked over calmly, leaned slightly toward Louisa and spoke in a patient tone. “Rebecca’s never been to a press conference like this. I wanted her to come and get some experience. Don’t worry, this is your event. So, we’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.”

Louisa almost laughed. Her lips curved into a small, sharp smile. However, she stayed quiet. She blinked several times as she was trying to hold back her feelings, but her lashes were already damp.

After that, Louisa turned away to raise her hand and gestured for the staff to continue. On the other hand, Rebecca’s smile faltered. She couldn’t understand why Louisa didn’t explode in anger. Louisa was known for being bold and forceful who would never let anyone take advantage of her.

Rebecca held the microphone with a pleasant smile, but her eyes were sharp and challenging as she stared at Louisa.

“Miss Jacobson, there have been many rumors about you,” she said smoothly.

“From visiting brothels to fighting with the young members of the Harrison Family. Why do you rarely speak about women’s struggles and instead focus only on living a wild, wasteful life?”

The room went silent for a few seconds. Then, camera flashes went off in a frenzy. Meanwhile, the livestream chat exploded with comments. Rebecca’s fans and Louisa’s critics filled the screen with harsh words.

[You’re wasting the Jacobson Family’s wealth, caring only about your own pleasure and showing no sense of responsibility to society.]

[What a shameless woman! She must only be good in bed. Otherwise, how could she have trapped Mr. Griswolds?]

Simon, who sat nearby, turned grim because of anger. Nevertheless, he didn’t move or speak. On the other hand, Louisa clenched her fists tightly. She then lifted her head to meet Rebecca’s gaze.

She spoke firmly, “This question doesn’t matter, so I won’t answer it.”

After she said that, Louisa raised her hand to signal the end of the interview and walked toward a quiet corner to breathe. As she left, Rebecca quickly followed and blocked her way. Her usual gentle look was gone.

“Louisa, do you really think Mr. Griswolds would truly love a woman like you? Someone who only wastes money and still dares to throw it at others?”

Louisa stopped and slowly turned her head. A cold, sarcastic smile tugged at her lips as she replied in a flat voice, “What does it matter if I spend my own family’s money? If Simon doesn’t love me, does that mean he actually loves you?”

“The Griswolds Family and mine are a perfect match. And you, a greedy gold digger, are accusing me of throwing money around?”

As soon as she finished speaking, a sudden creaking sound came from above. The next moment, a heavy light fixture broke loose and crashed down. Screams erupted as the crowd scattered in panic.

Simon reacted instantly and rushed forward. But the first person he grabbed was Rebecca, who was standing farther away from the falling light. He scooped her up and ran to safety.

Louisa, who was standing right beneath the fixture, couldn’t dodge in time. It smashed into her shoulder with brutal force, which knocked her out. Her vision blurred to black as she collapsed. Just before she lost consciousness, she saw Simon desperately checking Rebecca for injuries worily.

When Louisa woke up, she was lying in a hospital bed.

As soon as her eyes opened, Simon leaned over as he asked her in panic, “Louisa, you’re awake! Are you in pain?”

Louisa shook her head slightly as she lowered her lashes to hide her emotions. The ache in her shoulder was nothing compared to the sharp, aching pain deep in her heart. After a moment of silence, she looked at Simon and spoke calmly with a hoarse voice, “Simon, you like Rebecca.”

In response, Simon froze as his brows knitted.

His voice was steady but firm as he responded, “Louisa, don’t think nonsense. How could I like her? I only love you. What happened yesterday was an accident.”

“Really?” Louisa cut him off with her lips curling into a faint, bitter smile as she met his gaze.

“If you only love me, then give Rebecca some money and tell her to leave New York. Tell her never to come back.”

Simon’s expression darkened, but his voice was full of disapproval.

“Louisa, don’t be selfish. Rebecca came here for her career as a reporter. She’s working hard and deserves support. I’m just repaying her for saving my life. You can’t be so unreasonable.”

Louisa listened quietly, then suddenly let out a soft laugh. She didn’t argue with him out loud. In her heart, she whispered to herself, ‘She won’t leave … but I will.’

Just then, the ward door burst open with a flustered nurse rushing in.

“Mr. Griswolds, Miss Harrison is having a nightmare. She’s talking in her sleep, repeating that the cave is cold. She’s very agitated.”

Simon’s expression changed immediately. He jumped to his feet without hesitation. Louisa watched his anxious expression and spoke slowly and calmly, “Go ahead. After all, she saved your life. That’s a debt you’ll carry forever.”

Simon paused for a moment. When he saw no trace of jealousy on Louisa’s face, he felt relieved. He surely was thinking that Louisa had finally come to understand him. He then leaned down and kissed her forehead gently.

“Rest well, sweetheart. I’ll be back soon.”

After that, Simon turned and hurried out of the room without looking back. Louisa just stared at his retreating figure, while wiping the tears spilling before reaching for the bedside call button to press it.

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.