Chapter 13 Emily's POV +10 Bonus Maya's sobs echoed off the walls of Louis's office , a pitiful soundtrack to her manipulations . I watched her through narrowed eyes , my stomach churning with disgust . " I just want to do what's right , " she wailed , cradling her belly dramatically . " Emily , please , stop blaming me for everything . I'm not the enemy here ! " I had heard enough . " Oh , spare me the theatrics , " I snapped , my voice cold . " You've been the enemy since the moment you wormed your way into my life pretending to be my friend . " Louis glanced between us , clearly uncomfortable , but when he moved to speak , Maya beat him to it . " I was just trying to help , " she whispered , her voice trembling . " I never wanted this to happen . " 1/8 Chapter 13 +10 Bonus voice trembling . " I never wanted this to happen . " Her lies grated against my already frayed nerves . I had to get out before I said - or did- something I couldn't take back . Spinning on my heel , I marched toward the door . " Emily , wait ! " Louis's voice followed me , but I didn't stop . Behind me , I heard the faint rustling of fabric and Maya's voice , soft and urgent . " Louis , let me go after her . I'll calm her down . She's so upset - she might hurt herself . " I laughed bitterly as I stepped into the hallway . The idea of Maya playing the peacekeeper was so absurd it felt like a cruel joke . Moments later , I heard hurried footsteps . Maya's voice , suddenly devoid of its usual sweetness , called out to me . 2/8 " Emily , stop . " Chapter 13 +10 Bonus I turned to face her , my fists clenched . " What now , Maya ? Come to stab me in the back again ? " She dropped the act completely , her face twisting into a cruel smirk . " You're pathetic , you know that ? Clinging to a man who doesn't even love you anymore . " Her words struck a nerve , but I refused to let her see how much they hurt . " Go back to your charade , Maya . I'm not interested in playing your games . " She stepped closer , grabbing my wrist with surprising force . Before I could pull away , she dragged my hand to her rounded belly . " Feel that ? " she taunted , her eyes glittering with malice . " That's Louis's child . And unlike you , I'm giving him what he really wants - a family . Lucy already adores this baby . Louis's entire family is going to love it . We'll have more children , Emily . Lots and lots of them . One big , happy family . " 3/8 Chapter 13 +10 Bonus The audacity of her words ignited a fire in my chest . I yanked my hand away , my voice trembling with fury . " You're delusional if you think you can replace me . " Maya leaned in , her voice dropping to a whisper . " Oh , but I already have , " she murmured . " Do you want to know what Louis said to me that night ? How he craved me , how much he wanted me ? He couldn't keep his hands off me , Emily . It was … intense . " Her words dripped with venom , each one designed to cut deep . She recounted intimate details , her tone sultry , her eyes gleaming with triumph . My hands trembled at my sides , my vision blurring with rage . " You're lying , " I said through gritted teeth . She chuckled , a low , mocking sound . " Believe whatever helps you sleep at night , darling . But your ten - year marriage ? It means nothing now . Louis 4/8 Chapter 13 doesn't feel anything for you anymore . " +10 Bonus That was the last straw . My hand shot out before I could stop myself , the slap echoing in the hallway like a gunshot . Maya's head snapped to the side , her hand flying to her cheek . " You shut your mouth ! " I shouted , my voice raw . Maya's eyes widened in shock , but the tears came quickly , spilling over as she cried out . " You're crazy , Emily ! " she wailed , lunging at me . We grappled , a flurry of clawing hands and raised voices . Maya's nails scratched at my arms , and I shoved her back, desperate to free myself . She stumbled , pausing just long enough to glare at me with pure hatred . And then she began moving backward , her steps slow and deliberate , her gaze locked on mine . Something wasn't right . " Maua " Lenid muusian trambling " Stan " 5/8 Chapter 13 +10 Bonus " Maya , " I said , my voice trembling . " Stop . " But she didn't . " Maya , stop ! " I shouted , panic rising in my chest . Too late . Her heel caught on the edge of the top stair , and she tumbled backward , her arms flailing as she fell . was The sound of her body hitting the steps sickening , a series of dull thuds that echoed in the silent hallway . " Maya ! " I screamed , rushing forward , my hands outstretched as if I could somehow undo what had just happened . By the time I reached the top of the stairs , Mayal was sprawled at the bottom , motionless . Her coworkers , drawn by the commotion , appeared almost instantly . Two of them hurried to her side , while another stood frozen , staring up at me with wide scouring nuan 6/8 Chapter 13 wide , accusing eyes . +10 Bonus " It wasn't me , " I whispered , my voice shaking . " It wasn't me ! " But as the shock turned to fear , I realized how damning the scene must look : my outstretched hands , my wild eyes , and Maya lying crumpled at the bottom of the stairs . " It wasn't me , " I repeated , backing away . " She- she fell . I didn't push her . " The coworker didn't move , didn't speak , just stared at me like I was some kind of monster . Maya let out a faint groan , her hand twitching slightly . The sight filled me with a strange mix of relief and dread . One of her colleagues turned to me , his expression hard . " What happened here ? " I opened my mouth to answer , but no words Chapter 13 +10 Bonus I opened my mouth to answer , but no words came out . My mind was spinning , my body trembling . " It wasn't me , " I whispered again , more to myself than to him . But even as I said it , I wasn't sure anyone would believe me . Not Louis . Not Maya's coworkers . And certainly not myself .