Chapter 2
In the following days, Louis didn’t come home.
Cersei didn’t bother asking where he’d gone. Instead, she spent her time alone packing things up.
The jewelry and handbags he’d given her after their marriage, the tailored suits and shoes she’d bought him, their framed photos together, unused makeup…
She kept nothing, throwing everything away.
Watching their home slowly empty out, a strange sense of loss settled in her chest, but mostly relief.
After tossing the last box, she turned around and saw Louis had returned.
He stared at the trash can for a moment, his face registering shock.
“You threw all of this away?”
“I didn’t need it anymore, so I got rid of it. Why are you back?”
Cersei changed the subject, and Louis didn’t press further. He checked his watch.
“I’m here to pick you up. The family dinner is tonight.”
Cersei paused, remembering the semi–annual Moore family gathering at the estate. She hadn’t missed one in years. But this time, she declined.
“I’m not feeling well. Think I’ll skip this one.”
“What’s wrong? Should we see a doctor?”
His tone softened slightly, and Cersei wasn’t used to it. She shook her head. “It’s nothing. Just need some rest. Not up for crowds right now.”
“Then you stay home…” Louis was about to agree when the sound of a car door opening interrupted
them.
“Cersei, come with me to the family dinner. If you’re not there, I’ll be so bored. Right, Louis?”
#.in Ind Mo To My Stepbrother’s Embrace
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Chapter 2
Seeing Rachel’s exaggerated puppy dog eyes, Louis melted instantly.
He abandoned whatever he’d been about to say and nodded, opening the rear passenger door for
them.
“Since it’s a family dinner, you don’t have to follow all the rules. Just relax, Cersei. Rachel’s been cooped up in the hospital for days–it would be nice if you kept her company.”
Louis‘ attitude flip in an instant. Cersei felt a sharp pain in her chest.
She knew that whatever Rachel asked for, Louis would always give in without hesitation.
So she said nothing more and got into the car.
As the car started, Rachel chattered on beside her.
“So Cersei, you’ve recovered from the marrow donation, right?” Rachel’s voice dripped with
concern.
“You have no idea how much I suffered with the transplant rejection. I was dizzy all the time and had nightmares. Thank God Louis was there with me, or I wouldn’t have made it. Don’t be mad that he couldn’t take care of you, okay?”
Cersei glanced up and caught the subtle test in Rachel’s eyes. She sighed softly.
“I’m not upset. You’re siblings. That’s natural.”
Only then did Rachel relax, she grabbed her hand and continued chatting as if nothing had changed.
“I knew you wouldn’t mind! Hey, look at this necklace Louis got me today! Isn’t it gorgeous?” she gushed.
“I casually mentioned it once, and he remembered! Cost a fortune at auction!”
“And these dolls… Louis got them for me yesterday. The car was so boring before–now it’s perfect with these cute little decorations, Isn’t it adorable?”
Looking at the dazzling diamond necklace around Rachel’s neck and the stuffed animals crowding the seats, Cersei’s chest tightened painfully.
Louis had always been a strict minimalist, favoring black, white, and gray.
thor’s Embrace
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Chapter 2
Yet because these colorful trinkets were Rachel’s favorites, he never once objected and let her
decorate his car however she liked.
Cersei remembered many years ago, she’d placed a cute Doraemon figurine on his dashboard.
But the next day, it was gone.
“Cersei, I don’t like this kind of thing,” he’d told her coldly. “Don’t make decisions like that on your
own again.”
It was amazing how love different.
She remained silent. Rachel thought she was tired, so she didn’t press the issue. Instead, she chatted nonstop with Louis.
They talked about the weather, mutual friends, funny stories from childhood, and even tonight’s
dinner menu.
No matter what Rachel said, Louis responded with his smile never fading.
Cersei remembered how whenever she tried to share details of her day with him, his responses were always short–just a quick “Hmm,” “Okay,” or “Sure.”
But with Rachel, he was always engaged and responsive.
Even while driving, his eyes would drift to the rearview mirror to seek Rachel out.
His love was so obvious and passionate. How had she never noticed it before?
She couldn’t understand it. Her chest tightened, a lingering pain spreading through her heart.
Cersei stared at the crescent marks her nails had left on her palm, then turned to look out the
window.
She silently repeated to herself.
“It’s okay. Just hold on a little longer. One more month until the divorce waiting period e everything will be over.”
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