“Just like this.”
The foreign director didn’t quite understand the meaning of “just like this,” but upon closer reflection, he realized it was probably because the women on set didn’t catch his eye, even though they were carefully selected.
“You’re not satisfied with any of them? Not even one?” The foreign director seemed a bit dense, unable to read Louis’s expression, mistakenly thinking that no woman on set could capture his attention.
However, in this world, aside from Elisa, there was truly no one else who could capture his gaze.
“If my wife were here, you would understand what ‘just like this’ means, wouldn’t you?” Louis turned away, “You can leave now, you’re not suited for our country. Oh, and I forgot to remind you, your behavior today violates industry regulations. In our world, such actions are illegal.”
The foreign director hesitated, understanding the message but reluctanct to admit it. He broke out into a cold sweat, wanting to rush over and persuade Louis, only to be blocked by a bodyguard at his side.
Unable to shout in public, he resorted to sending a text for help.
Only one director from the mainland replied, saying: “Just go back to where you came from. If you want to collaborate with Mr. White, you should have done your homework on his family. Everyone knows he has a beautiful wife and is extremely devoted to her.”
“Someone like him is afraid of getting in trouble with his wife?” In the foreign director’s eyes, that was cowardly.
“You know nothing. Love conquers all, why fear getting in trouble? Everyone in our country knows that Mr. White adores his wife.”
Back when Louis was at the peak of his career, announcements about his relationships were big news in the entertainment industry, especially for someone like Louis, a prominent actor.
Before even considering a relationship, one had to carefully measure their options. At that time, Elisa was the only woman linked to Louis.
Fans were critical, and the two almost came to blows in front of each other. However, Elisa’s influence was far from comparable to Louis’s, with everyone saying she wasn’t good enough for him.
Louis put out a tweet with just one sentence.
-“I like her, I’m chasing after her. I entered this circle to find her, and now that I have found her, if she leaves me because of so-called ‘fans,’ then I will forever leave the entertainment industry.”
The statement “forever leave the entertainment industry” silenced everyone.
If you were unaware of this, you could check all his social media accounts, where every post, from status updates to personal messages, stated:
-“Happily married, do not disturb.”
Louis’s love for Elisa was open and deliberate, as he once said, he wasn’t there to reason but to provide support. And Elisa met all the criteria for his support and affection, causing him to forever submit to her, favor her, and forgive her.
Louis loved Elisa, feared her, and was under her strict control, a well-known fact. In the same vein, it was common knowledge that Elisa loved Louis.
…
Elisa changed her age back to her actual age, sixty-seven, while Louis was sixty-nine.
Elisa passed away in the winter of her sixty-seventh year. She loved watching the snow, and in her final year, she was blessed with a sky full of snowflakes.
To reach this point, Elisa was already content. Her life was borrowed, as she should have left at age 27. Being sixty-seven now, with a loving family, a husband, and two children, she felt exceptionally happy.
Elisa’s health declined rapidly in the last two years, for no apparent reason, as if fate had decreed it. Despite all of Louis’s efforts, nothing could restore her health.
In the harsh winter, Elisa couldn’t tolerate the cold. Her bones ached intensely; even after soaking in hot water and applying remedies, the pain persisted. Every night, Louis would have her place her feet on him or hold her in his arms, warming and massaging her, trying to alleviate her pain in the simplest way possible.
Elisa hoarsely asked, “What’s the date today?”
“The twentieth of January.”
“In two days, it’ll be our anniversary, won’t it?”
“Yes, time sure flies.” Louis handed her a cup of hot milk, watching as she drank it. He took the empty cup, holding her hands in his, frowning slightly. It was too cold, even though the heating was on, and despite her daily medication and warm baths, her body remained icy to the touch.
As snow began to fall in the past few days, Elisa, who rarely saw snow in the south, especially in Bankshire, wanted to go out and see. However, every time she reached the doorstep, Louis would pull her back, knowing that her frail body was susceptible to colds and further complications.
Even opening the windows was forbidden, so she could only watch from indoors, dressed lightly despite the heating.
Both in their late sixties, Eli and Winnie had matured into adults. With Elisa’s health deteriorating rapidly that year, they remained home and did not go out.
Would one know when death approached?
Normally, one would, especially during the moments preceding death, like a radiance before darkness.
On the twenty-second of January, Elisa looked quite lively. Louis made her favorite soup dumplings, and despite normally being unable to finish one, she had two that day, feeling warm and full.
Before and after marriage, Louis was usually the one in charge of meals.
After turning fifty, Elisa never entered the kitchen again. Although they had hired help who could cook, Louis insisted on doing it himself, knowing her taste preferences better than anyone.
Yet, even with his culinary expertise, Elisa struggled to eat in recent years due to her declining health, causing her to lose weight. Seeing her finish two dumplings that day, Louis asked, “Would you like more?”
Shaking her head, Elisa replied softly, “I’m full. It’s been a while since I felt this satisfied.”
“I’m sorry.” Louis’s voice caught, his eyes reddening.
Raising her hand, she pinched his earlobe like she used to, “Sorry for what? You’ve taken care of me wonderfully already.”
She used to not believe in higher powers until she died in a fire at twenty-seven, when a self-proclaimed deity offered her a chance to start anew. From twenty-seven to sixty-seven, forty years had passed. Elisa considered herself lucky to have met Louis, spent a lifetime with him, had a loving family, and children by her side.
“Today is our anniversary. Could you fulfill a small wish for me?” Elisa gazed at the snowy landscape outside, her voice soft, “I want to go out and take a walk.”