She Died With My Name on Her Lips novel Chapter 25

After she sent the message, Louisa waited, but there was no reply.

Stephen wasn’t surprised.

Ever since he left the Thompson house, he’d been squeezing time between his own recovery to shut down the rumors about the two families—rumors that said they’d gone from almost in-laws to bitter rivals. The gossip was everywhere, and most people assumed Louisa had done something wrong.

Stephen hated that. He couldn’t stand seeing people drag her name through the mud.

But after a short while, the rumors vanished from the city’s social circles.

Still, everyone in the Capital knew things between the Thompsons and Barkers weren’t the same. The wedding had been postponed, but everyone could see it probably wasn’t going to happen at all.

People waited for the drama—some big, messy showdown between the families. But instead, something unexpected happened: the Barkers started giving up several big projects to the Thompsons.

The Thompsons and Barkers had always been close, but they were also rivals—competing, but always on fair terms. Now, though, the Barkers seemed almost eager to please, especially Stephen. He sent Dean and Gina all kinds of gifts: rare flower seeds, luxury health supplements, priceless antiques…

Dean and Gina turned down every single one.

Louisa was getting tired of it all. She went out for a walk to clear her head. She didn’t expect to just bump into Stephen at a random coffee shop.

He ordered her favorite cappuccino and a slice of cake, then sat across from her, quietly keeping her company.

Sometimes she’d go for a walk on the beach, and he’d follow at a careful distance, kind of like a silent, loyal knight. If anyone sketchy tried to approach her, he’d step in and send them packing.

Every step she took by the ocean made Stephen tense. He watched every wave, worried something might go wrong.

Louisa, on the other hand, felt perfectly safe. She’d stop now and then to pick up pretty shells or just look out at the endless blue horizon.

Then, out of nowhere, she tripped over something hidden in the sand. She was about to fall when Stephen’s eyes went wide—he rushed over and caught her just in time.

“Louisa!”

His voice shook as he pulled her into his arms, still trembling with leftover fear.

“Thank God you’re okay… You’re okay…”

He kept repeating it, as if trying to steady himself.

He couldn’t bear to see her hurt—not even a scratch. One more scare and it might break him.

Louisa hadn’t expected him to be so worried. She turned and hugged him back, patting his back to comfort him.

They stood like that for a long time before Stephen finally let go.

“Louisa, please—don’t ever scare me like that again. Don’t get hurt, not even a little bit. I’m really scared,” he said, his voice rough and shaky.

Louisa felt her heart soften. She wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and tried to smile.

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