Chapter 10 Emily's POV +10 Bonus My body was heavy , weighed down as if submerged in a thick , dark tide . The faint creak of the door barely registered and I wanted to see who it was . My mind screamed to react , to open my eyes , to ask who was there , but my body refused to obey . I was trapped in my own skin, helpless . Footsteps shuffled closer , deliberate and slow . A shadow fell acress me , and I felt the invasive grip of fingers prying my mouth open . The bitter taste of something vile flooded my tongue , and I gagged , my throat spasming against the intrusion . My stomach churned violently , sending sharp , agonizing waves of pain rippling through my body . Panic surged , cutting through the fog of sedation . A damp , warm sensation spread beneath me , and I knew something was wrong - terribly wrong . I wanted to cry out , to fight back , to see the 1/8 Chapter 10 +10 Bonus face of whoever was doing this , but darkness dragged me under once more . *** " Emily ! " Louis's voice pierced through the haze , shaking me roughly by the shoulders . My head lolled to the side as consciousness returned in hazy fragments . When my eyes finally fluttered open , the harsh light above me burned , and the pungent , metallic scent of blood filled my nostrils . My senses sharpened , and dread crept in as I took in my surroundings . The sheets beneath me were soaked , the vivid red turning brown , stark against the white fabric . My hands trembled as they grazed my lower abdomen , where the dampness confirmed what my mind refused to accept . Louis stood before me , his face a twisted canvas of grief and fury . Beside him , our family dantor otared at ma with a rim unrandahla MA 2/8 Chapter 10 doctor stared at me with a grim , unreadable +10 Bonus expression . Louis covered his face with his hands , his voice breaking as he let out an anguished cry . " Emily … " His words were raw , choking on unspoken pain . He dropped his hands , revealing red - rimmed eyes filled with something bordering on madness . " Do you really hate me this much? " The accusation hit me like a physical blow . Confused , I tried to speak , but my voice failed me . My gaze dropped to the blood pooled beneath me , and my stomach flipped . There was so much pain . Louis grabbed my shoulders , his grip hard and unyielding . " How could you do this ? " he shouted , his voice trembling with hurt . He gestured toward the bedside table where small , scattered pills glinted . under the light . " Those … " His voice cracked . " Those pills … Emily , you killed our child . Our child ! " 3/8 I froze , his words rebounding in my mind . Mv Chapter 10 +10 Bonus I froze , his words rebounding in my mind . My heart thundered in protest , and I shook my head weakly . " No , " I managed , my voice barely audible . Louis's breath hitched . His hands fell to his sides , trembling . He stared at the blood - stained bed , his eyes hollow . " The child we've waited ten years for , " he whispered , his voice thick with despair . " How could you ? I don't understand , even if you were angry at me … you … you took it out on our innocent child . " " I didn't … " The words spilled from my lips , but they felt fragile , as if they might shatter under the weight of his disbelief . My fragmented memories clawed their way to the surface , and I grasped at the one solid thread . " It's Maya , " I blurted out . Louis stiffened , the confusion overtaking the pain in his eyes . " What are you talking about ? " " I saw her , " I insisted , my voice growing stronger as desperation fueled me " When I was 4/8 Chapter 10 +10 Bonus stronger as desperation fueled me . " When I was half - conscious , someone came in . It had to be Maya … " I swallowed hard , willing him to see the truth . " It had to be her . Why would I take abortion pills ? Why would I hurt my own child ?" Louis's expression darkened , a storm of conflicting emotions brewing behind his eyes . He stepped back as though my words physically repelled him . The doctor cleared his throat , breaking the charged silence . Louis , I must be candid , " he began , his voice steady but grave . " Emily mentioned seeing an intruder , someone tampering with the TV , but I found no evidence to support her claims . No sign of forced entry , no missing items , nothing . " He turned to me , his gaze scrutinizing . " Emily , " he said carefully , " You've been under immense stress . It's possible that these are delusional thoughts stemming from depression . I'll prescribe Chapter 10 +10 Bonus some antidepressants and closely monitor your condition . " " No ! " I protested , my voice rising in panic . " I'm not delusional . It was Maya ! She- " Enough , Emily ! " Louis roared , silencing me . His eyes burned with an intensity that made me shrink back . " Do you hear yourself ? Blaming Maya , accusing her without proof ? You're spiraling , Emily , and it's destroying everything . " His words struck like daggers , each one lodging deep in my chest . " You don't believe me , " I whispered , my voice trembling . " You , who cheated with the murderer of our child , you who hold me here like a prisoner … " " I don't know what to believe anymore , " He interrupted , dismissing me . He ran a hand through his disheveled hair , his composure crumbling . " But I know one thing . " He turned away , his shoulders rigid . " I'm keening Mava's child . " 6/8 Chapter 10 rigid . " I'm keeping Maya's child . " +10 Bonus The air left my lungs as if he'd physically struck me . " What ? " " That baby , " he said , his voice steady but devoid of warmth , " Is my responsibility now . The only child I have left . " His words echoed in the room , each syllable a cruel reminder of the chasm that had grown between us . " You're wrong , " I choked out , tears streaming down my face . " Maya did this . She wanted to replace my child with hers . " Louis turned back to me , his expression unreadable . " You need help , Emily . Rest . Heal . Whatever happened … we'll deal with it later . " Without another word , he left the room , leaving me surrounded by the suffocating stench of blood 7/8 Chapter 10 and betrayal . 1 +10 Bonus As the door closed behind him , my tears fell freely . My mind raced , replaying the shadowy figure , the bitter pills , and Maya's manipulative smile . She had done this . I knew it as surely as I knew my own name . But no one would believe me . The doctor's words lingered like a curse : depression , delusions . Was that what they thought of me now ? A broken , unstable woman grasping at fantasies to make sense of her unraveling life ? I desperately wanted out , to get away . I clenched my fists , the sticky warmth of blood smearing against my palms . Through the haze of despair , a spark of determination ignited . If no one would fight for me , I would fight for myself . And I would uncover the truth - even if it destroyed me .