She Died With My Name on Her Lips novel Chapter 3

When Louisa opened her eyes, morning light was already streaming in.

She lay in the guest room, her wounds freshly cleaned and wrapped in neat, white bandages. Her hand instinctively moved to the family photo she kept close to her heart, and memories rushed back—her parents, their five-year promise. There were only six days left. She’d told them she’d try to find hope, to keep going, no matter how hard it got.-

Her gaze fell on the calendar. One date was circled in red. Today was Stephen’s birthday.

Just one more try, she told herself.

Ignoring the throbbing in her hands, Louisa spent the entire day in the kitchen. When blisters bubbled up from the heat, she’d just wrap her fingers and keep going. The cake burned twice, but she refused to give up, starting over each time.

By sunset, a beautiful chocolate cake finally stood finished on the counter.

Louisa pulled out her old photo album, flipping through pages until she found a few pictures of her and Stephen as teenagers. She turned them into a handmade scrapbook, pouring her memories and hope into every page.

Finally, she took a deep breath and sent him a text:

[Stephen, I’ll be waiting for you at our usual place. There’s something I want to say.]

Once the message sent, Louisa gathered the cake and her gift, then headed out to the little restaurant they used to love. She got there half an hour early, set everything up on the table, and tried to steady her nerves as she waited.

Stephen was an hour late.

He walked in, sharp in a suit, face tight and eyes cold. The moment he saw the cake, his expression darkened.

“You forgot I stopped celebrating birthdays after my parents died?” His voice was like ice. He swept the cake off the table with a single, angry motion.

Chocolate and cream splattered across Louisa’s dress, but she didn’t move. “I know… But it’s been years. My parents are gone and they paid for what they did. I’ve been through so much since then…”

Her voice shook. “Can’t we let go? Can’t we try again?”

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