Chapter 2 Unfamiliar

Despite knowing that Louis and I had already been married for five years, I still felt like this was my first time seeing him up close. I had to admit there was a reason I'd been obsessed with him when I was younger—looking at his face alone lifted my mood. I wasn't even that annoyed by his icy expression. He frowned, seemingly due to my silence. "What are you trying to pull this time, Cassandra?" He strode toward the wardrobe as he spoke, not even slowing down as he brushed past me. Then, he grabbed a bathrobe. I turned to look at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" I hadn't said a word since he'd shown up, yet he claimed I was up to something. Louis eyed me, his gaze frosty. "You always throw yourself at me whenever I return home. Have you switched tactics now?" I was surprised to hear that. Had I become that wild after marrying him? Still, I didn't let my emotions show as I said indifferently, "Oh. Well, it won't happen in the future." I thought he would be relieved to hear it, but it only made his frown deepen. He grew impatient as he said, "Work has been tiring lately; I don't have the time or energy to play your games." I didn't know how to respond to that. Louis' expression darkened at my silence. "Stop trying to hurt Amanda when she hasn't done anything, Cassandra. There's also no use threatening me with your life." I watched him, having mixed feelings about this situation. Corey had filled me in on my relationship with Louis—basically, I loved him, but he loved Amanda. As the unloved party in this love triangle, I'd kept picking on Amanda, but all it had gotten me was Louis' dislike. The attempt on my life had come about because I'd been jealous of how caring and considerate Louis was with Amanda. I'd gone after her company and tried to smear the reputations of the celebrities signed to her label, but Louis had chosen to support her. His actions had shown everyone in our social circle that I was only his wife in name and couldn't compare to Amanda. And so, I'd broken down and taken drastic action in hopes that it would make him come back to me. The result was what you'd imagine—a man who hadn't liked me in the first place wouldn't suddenly pity me over my attempt to take my life. He would only find it annoying. Louis lost his patience when I still didn't speak. He headed straight to the bathroom without another word. I sighed in relief and fell backward onto the bed, my thoughts a mess. I'd lost my memories of the past five years, so I had no idea how I'd ended up in such a crazy state. 18-year-old Cassandra York had hated lovesick people. Yet now, I'd allowed a man to affect my life and death. I never would've expected to end up like this! My thoughts were a jumbled mess. Before I could think about what to do, the sheets were lifted beside me, and Louis got in bed. The warmth of his body made me jolt. I turned to see him staring at me. His eyes were still cold and indifferent, but there was also a hint of suppressed darkness now. I stammered, "W-What do you want?" I'd lost my memories, but based on what I'd learned, I could deduce that Louis and I weren't on good terms. Perhaps we even slept separately. So, why had he gotten into bed with me so naturally? He didn't seem to notice my fluster as he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me into his arms without a word. He propped himself above me, pinning me to the bed. His callused fingers glided over my body with practiced ease, making an odd feeling wash over me. Still… "Louis!" I snapped. "Don't touch me!"