By evening, they’d finished shopping.
Louis checked his watch and asked what she wanted for dinner.
Cersei wasn’t hungry, so he booked a table at The Rainbow Room.
Then as if it just occurred to him, he added, “Rachel just texted me. She’s getting her nails done nearby, so I invited her to join us.”
New York was huge. And bump into Rachel here?
Coincidence or planned? Cersei didn’t know. And honestly, she didn’t care to dig deeper.
She just mumbled “Sure” and went ahead into the private dining room for a break.
Ten minutes later, Louis walked in with Rachel.
Rachel bounced over with a grin. “Cersei! I told Louis to take you on a date. How’d he do? Was he a good boy?”
Cersei then realized that Louis’s eagerness today was Rachel’s idea.
Three years of marriage. Even the rare companionship she’d had–all borrowed from Rachel.
Something about that struck her as darkly funny. She looked down to hide the mess of emotions in
her eyes.
She barely touched her food and stayed quiet the whole time.
Rachel chatted easily with Louis but noticed Cersei’s low mood. After dinner, she dragged Cersei to a spa, trying to cheer her up.
“What’s wrong? Did my brother screw up the date? Get you boring gifts?” Rachel nudged her. “I
with guns.” mean, you know my brother–he’s all calm and collected, but he’s not really great
“Let me tell you something,” she giggled.
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Chapter 6
“When I was little and wanted Black Forest cake, he actually went out of his way to learn how to make it for me. But one day, while I was practicing piano, two girls who liked him came over, and he refused to give them even a bite”
“He said, ‘What I make is only for Rachel.‘ The family teased him for years! He’s always been socially
awkward, right?”
She doubled over laughing at the memory.
Cersei watched her silently, wanting to laugh but couldn’t.
Only someone who knew they were loved could be so carefree.
Her chest ached. She didn’t want Rachel to notice and excused herself to the bathroom.
When she came out, chaos had erupted. People were screaming and shoving toward the exits.
Thick smoke poured through the hallway, making Cersei cough violently.
Hearing panicked cries of “Fire!” her first thought was that Rachel was still inside.
Despite the danger, she pushed against the crowd back toward the private room.
Near the entrance, she saw Louis holding Rachel in his arms.
Rachel clung to him, her worried voice carrying over the chaos.
“Louis! Cersei’s still in the bathroom–she doesn’t know about the fire! Go get her, I can make it out myself!”
“Forget her. You’re coming with me first.”
Louis‘ voice was calm and firm. But Rachel tried to push him away.
“I’ll be fine! Go help Cersei. She’s your wife! What if something happens to her?”
“Rachel Moore, listen to me! I don’t give a fuck what happens to her I just want you to be safe! If she makes it out, it’s her luck. If she doesn’t, that’s not on me. You’re the only one I care about, nothing else matters!”
Each word cut into Cersei’s heart like a knife.
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Chapter 6
She bit her lip so hard she tasted blood. The pain made it hard to breathe.
Louis disappeared with Rachel. The panicked crowd surged and knocked Cersei to the ground.
People trampled over her, leaving bruises everywhere.
Excruciating pain shot through her body. She trembled uncontrollably and soaked in cold sweat
The fire spread, even coming closer to her feet.
Smoke burned her eyes, tears streaming down her face. Fighting through the pain, she made her way toward the exit
When she finally stumbled outside, she saw Louis was kneeling beside Rachel and rubbing her legs.
Looking at the scene through tear–filled eyes, and a deep sadness crept over her.
She glanced down at her bruised body. Then forced a bitter smile and silently walk away.
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