Chapter 8
Hearing these drunken confessions, Cersei felt pressure in her chest. But the pain had faded away.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, she was calm.
She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and knocked on the door.
Seconds later, Louis’s friends came out supporting him between them.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they helped him into the car and waved goodbye.
Cersei drove Louis home and helped him into the house.
He was completely wasted. The moment they reached the couch, he pulled her down and pinned her beneath him. He refused to let go, hugging her tight and murmuring “Rachel” over and over.
Cersei tried to pry his hands off, her voice oddly stubborn.
“You’ve got the wrong person. I’m not Rachel.”
Louis opened his bleary eyes, stared at her for a long moment. Then tightened his grip.
“Babe, I know it’s you,” he slurred with a playful whine.
“Are you mad at me? I’m sorry, so sorry. I shouldn’t have gone out drinking, but I just feel… I feel awful. Every day, I think about you, and it hurts. Don’t be mad at me, please…”
“I’m NOT Rachel!” Cersei insisted.
Louis ignored her completely, gently stroking her hair as he fumbled for his phone.
“Sweetheart, don’t pout. Look what I’ve got for you! Surprise! I designed this wedding dress and ring myself. Your favorite style and blue sapphires. I’ve been planning it since I was 18. Every time I see you, I imagine how beautiful you’ll look in this dress… wonder if you’ll cry when I slip this ring on your finger…”
Cersei fell silent as she looked at the dazzling ring and diamond–encrusted wedding gown on his screen.
Something indescribable flickered in her eyes as she forced out a hoarse whisper.
“If you love her that much… then what was Cersei to you?”
“Cersei?” He scoffed. “She’s nothing. If you hadn’t begged me to marry her, I wouldn’t have given her a second glance.”
Louis was completely drunk now, holding her tight while repeatedly calling Rachel’s name.
“Rachel, I love you. I love you so much.”
Cersei forced a smile and closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks.
By dawn, Louis had finally passed out.
She watched him for a long time before leaning down to place his copy of the divorce papers beside him.
Half–asleep, Louis mumbled without opening his eyes.
“Cersei… make me some ginger tea…”
This time, Cersei didn’t respond with her usual “sure” or “okay.”
5.3%
Chapter 8
She simply stood up and went to the bedroom.
When she emerged again, she was pulling a suitcase. Without a backward glance, she walked out of the house.
She booked the earliest flight to London, then hailed a Uber to the airport.
As she watched the cityscape rush by, she took out her phone and deleted both Louis and Rachel’s contacts.
The Uber pulled up at the airport just as the first rays of dawn fell across her face.
She looked up, taking one last glance at the city.
Goodbye, New York.
Goodbye, Louis Moore.
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