Chapter 12 Emily's POV Louis sat stiffly behind his desk , his expression carefully composed , though the tightness in his jaw betrayed the tension simmering beneath the surface . His usual aura of control seemed slightly frayed as his eyes flicked from me to Maya and back again . " Emily , " he began , his voice low . " Let's not do this here . " " Why is she still here , Louis ? " I demanded , 1/8 Chapter 12 18 +10 Bonus pointing an accusatory finger at Maya . " You told me she was transferred . What is she doing here ? " Before Louis could respond , Maya gracefully interjected , holding her belly like it was a delicate treasure . Her calm demeanor only fanned the flames of my rage . " Louis , " she said , her voice soft , " Maybe I should explain things to Emily . " She turned to me , her expression almost pitying , but her words were knives concealed in velvet . " Emily , once my baby is born , I'll leave . You don't have to worry about anything . I'm not trying to interfere . " She was pure malice rolled in sugar , easier to swallow for those around her - it was sickening . I clenched my fists , willing myself not to scream . " Don't patronize me , Maya . Let's not forget how you begged me to leave Louis so you could play happy family with him and your precious child . Don't you dare pretend you're doing this out of the 2/8 Chapter 12 1 +10 Bonus goodness of your heart . I doubt you even care for that cursed spawn of yours … " Maya blinked , her calm faltering for a split second . " I never begged- " " Enough ! " Louis cut in , his tone sharp . He rose from his chair and walked to Maya , placing a hand on her arm . " Maya , please , leave us . We need to talk . " She hesitated , glancing at me as if she were genuinely concerned . " Are you sure , Louis ? I don't want to cause more trouble . " " Go , " he repeated , his voice firm . Maya left the office , her steps deliberate and slow , her supposed humility grating on my nerves . The moment the door clicked shut , I turned to Louis , my emotions a torrent of anger and betrayal . " You defend her , " I hissed . " Every single time , you defend her ! Why can't you see her for what she 3/8 Chapter 12 1 + 10 Bonus really is ? Not even a few weeks ago you hated her ! " Louis sighed , rubbing his temples . " Emily , I've told you before . This isn't just about Maya . The child . doesn't deserve this . It's also about us . And you- " " Don't you dare , " I snapped , cutting him off . " Don't you dare act like this is my fault . " Louis's gaze hardened , his patience visibly thinning . " It is your fault , " he shot back . " You killed our child , Emily . You ! " His words struck me like a slap , stealing the breath from my lungs . " You actually believe that ? " I whispered , my voice trembling . " You think I would do that ? That I would destroy the one thing we've prayed for every day for ten years ? Because I was mad at you and wanted a divorce , you think I would fly off the handle and murder our child ? Do you hear yourself !? " 4/8 " You were unstable , Emily , " he said coldly . " You Chapter 12 18 + 10 Bonus still are . You don't even remember doing it , do you ? " Tears blurred my vision, but they didn't cool the burning anger inside me . " I didn't take those pills , Louis . I didn't . Maya- " " Maya isn't to blame for everything , " he interrupted , his voice rising . " You've turned her into your scapegoat because you can't face the truth about yourself , about us . " My composure shattered . " The truth ? " I spat , stepping closer to him . " The truth is that you've let her manipulate you , let her worm her way into your life , into our marriage . She's the reason we're here , Louis ! YOU opened the door , you were unfaithful , and you are the one who was keeping me caged like an animal . All because I wanted a divorce ! I wanted out! " Louis's face darkened , his eyes flashing with anger . " You're out of control , Emily , " he said , his voice low and dangerous . " I have loved you , 5/8 Chapter 12 1 + 10 Bonus supported you , and stood by you , but you don't believe in me . You never have and it's clear your simply have no love left inside you , even for our unborn child . " " You call this love ? " I asked , my voice breaking . " You call letting another woman destroy our lives love ? " Our argument was interrupted by a soft knock at the door . Before either of us could respond , the door creaked open , and Maya stepped inside , her face streaked with tears . " I'm sorry , " she sobbed , clutching her belly protectively . " I didn't mean to cause this . Emily , please , leave my child alone . Louis is yours . We are nothing . We were just drunk that night! " Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication . Louis turned to her , his anger softening into something resembling guilt . 6/8 Chapter 12 +10 Bonus " Maya , you shouldn't be here , " he said , his tone gentler than it had been with me . She shook her head , her tears falling freely . " I just … I don't want to be the reason for your pain . " I stared at her , disbelief and disgust coursing through me . " You're unbelievable , " I said , my voice shaking with rage . " You play the victim so well , Maya . But let me tell you something - your child is a mistake . Nobody is going to celebrate a bastard ! " Maya flinched , her tears intensifying as she let out a choked sob . " Emily ! " Louis barked , his voice sharp and commanding . " That's enough ! " He crossed the room in two strides , placing himself between Maya and me . " You've gone too far , " he said , his eyes blazing with anger . " You have no right to say that about her child . That's my child ! " 7/8 Chapter 12 1 +10 Bonus far , " he said , his eyes blazing with anger . " You have no right to say that about her child . That's my child ! " The weight of his words crushed me . My throat tightened , and I struggled to breathe . " Your child , " I repeated , my voice barely above a whisper . "And what about our child , Louis ? " Louis flinched as if I'd struck him , but his gaze didn't waver . " Our child is gone , Emily . And you … you killed him . " The room spun around me , and I felt as though I might collapse . My heart ached , not just from his words but from the irrevocable loss of everything we had once been . Tears streamed down my face as I stepped . back , my voice breaking . " You've already chosen her , haven't you? " Louis didn't answer , and his silence spoke