Chapter 15 I wandered aimlessly through the hospital's stark , sterile hallways , the bright fluorescent lights above doing nothing to warm the chill that seemed to settle in my bones . My footsteps echoed softly against the linoleum floor , but my mind was louder- wouldn't stop haunting me . How had it come to this ? Maya had turned my life into a nightmare . I felt like a marionette , my strings tangled by her manipulative fingers . I couldn't breathe , couldn't think . I stopped near a window , clutching my phone tightly . Desperation clawed at me , and I thumbed through my contacts , searching for comfort . But the screen mocked me with its emptiness . Maya . That woman had meticulously isolated me from everyone I once called a friend . Each subtle word , each whispered doubt , had slowly chipped away at my relationships until there was nothing left but her false friendship . How had I not realized it until now ? My finger hovered over my mother's number . I hesitated , memories of our complicated relationship bubbling up . She had given me away as a baby . but years later , when she learned her long- 1/8 Chapter 15 +10 Bonus a baby , but years later , when she learned her long- lost daughter had married into wealth , she welcomed me back with open arms . Guilt , love , and the promise of financial stability tied us together . I took a deep breath and hit the call button . " Emily ? " My mother's voice came through , soft but cautious . The floodgates opened . " Mom , " I choked , tears streaming down my face . " I can't do this anymore . I want a divorce . " There was a pause on the other end . " Emily , what happened ? Why are you talking like this ? " " I'm not happy , Mom . I haven't been happy for a long time . Louis … he's not who I thought he was , and I can't live like this anymore . " My voice cracked as I poured out my desperation . " But Emily , " she began hesitantly , " Louis has been good to us . To your father and me . He's 2/8 Chapter 15 supported us in ways we could never have imagined . Are you sure this is what you want ? " " Yes , " I said firmly , wiping my tears . " I'm sure . I know it might hurt the business , but I can't stay with him just for that . I need to leave . " My resolve seemed to catch her off guard . " You sound … different , " she said softly . " Stronger . If this is what you truly want , then don't worry about us . We'll manage . " Her words were a balm to my wounded heart . For the first time in weeks , I felt a flicker of support . " Thank you , Mom , " I whispered . " E - Emily … You know that despite everything , I love you very much , right ? " " I do , mom . " After we hung up , I found a quiet staircase and sank onto the steps . The air was heavy with 3/8 Chapter 15 +10 Bonus antiseptic , and the faint hum of machinery filled the background . I stared at the ceiling , whispering to myself , trying to soothe the storm raging within . I needed to find the next steps . " It's alright … Everything will turn out fine … I didn't push her … Divorce is the right decision … " " Emily ? " The voice startled me , and I looked down to see a man standing at the base of the stairs . He was dressed in a white coat , concern etched on his face . " Daiman ? " I recognized him as the doctor I'd met after the car incident . What were the odds? " Are you okay ? " he asked , his voice gentle . I offered a weak smile , my face hot with embarrassment . " I've been better , " I admitted . He climbed the stairs and sat a small distance away , giving me space but staying close enough to talk " Rough day ? !! 4/8 Chapter 15 talk . " Rough day ? " +10 Bonus I let out a bitter laugh . " More like a rough life . It's … it's everything . My marriage , my so - called friends , this entire mess . I feel like I'm drowning . " He studied me for a moment , his expression . kind but thoughtful . " Sometimes , when everything feels like it's falling apart , it's hard to see things clearly . But you have to trust yourself , Emily . " I sighed , my fingers fidgeting with the edge of my sleeve . " That's easier said than done . I've made up my mind , though , I want a divorce . I just want to leave all of this behind . " " That's a big decision , " Daiman said , nodding . " But it sounds like you've already put a lot of thought into it . If leaving is what you need to find peace , then it's the right choice . " I looked at him , surprised by his certainty . " You really think so ? " 5/8 Chapter 15 +10 Bonus " I do . But more importantly , what do you think ? " " I think … " I hesitated , searching for the words . " I think I've lost myself . I've spent so much time worrying , uncovering schemes , and feeling trapped in this cycle of rage and suspicion that I don't even recognize who I am anymore . And he blames me for it all , like his infidelity was my fault . " Daiman's gaze was steady . " That's not unusual in situations like this . Chaos has a way of pulling us away from who we are . But the fact that you're aware of it means you're already on the path back to yourself . " His words resonated with me . I hadn't realized how much I needed to hear them . " Thank you , " I said softly . " For saying that . For … listening . " " Of course . " He offered a small smile . " I'm actually a psychiatrist , so listening comes with the 6/8 Chapter 15 +10 Bonus territory . If you ever need someone to talk to , my door is open . " The weight of his sincerity surprised me . We'd only met twice , but his words felt genuine , untainted by ulterior motives . " I'll think about it , " I said , managing a faint smile in return . He stood , brushing off his coat . " Take care of yourself , Emily . You're stronger than you think . " As he walked away , his words lingered . Maybe I wasn't as broken as I felt . Maybe I could take control , rebuild , and finally find my way out of the chaos . I sat on the stairs a little longer , the faint buzz of hope flickering to life within me . For the first time in what felt like forever , I believed that things might , just might , get better , even after everything had been taken from me . The thought of my unborn . child , the one I'd dreamt about for so long , was like a Chapter 16 +10 Bonus been taken from me . The thought of my unborn child , the one I'd dreamt about for so long , was like a stabbing from within . I would find out what happened , uncover Maya's deception , her murderous intent , and in the process find peace and happiness away from her and her plans for Louis .