Chapter 16 I had always wondered if the memories were real . The children's home where we'd promised to meet once a year , the bond that had kept us steady when . everything else seemed to fall apart - were they as vivid for her as they were for me ? 1/1 Chapter 16 Chapter 16 +10 Bonus Damian's POV I had always wondered if the memories were real . The children's home where we'd promised to meet once a year , the bond that had kept us steady when everything else seemed to fall apart - were they as vivid for her as they were for me ? When I first saw Emily weeks ago , standing amidst chaos at the scene of an accident , I knew it was her . Her features had matured , but her gaze held the same quiet intensity . Yet I said nothing . Fear of her not remembering , or worse , not wanting to , kept me silent . Seeing her again in the hospital stairway , vulnerable and unraveling , had only strengthened my resolve to help her . But now , sitting across from me in my office , she didn't seem to recognize me at all . Emily had walked in hesitantly , her eyes darting around the room like she was trying to find a reason to leave . 1/4 Chapter 16 +10 Bonus She sat in the chair I gestured to , clasping her hands tightly in her lap . To me this felt like a relief but the conflict of knowing my patient personally , of withholding that information , weighed heavier than it had when I offered to see her professionally . " This is … new for me , " she admitted . " That's completely normal , " I said , keeping my tone soft . " Take your time . There's no rush . " She gave me a tight smile but didn't speak right away . I could tell she was building up the courage to start . " Everything in my life feels like it's crumbling , " she said finally , her voice breaking . " My marriage , my friendships , even my sense of self . I feel like I've lost control of everything , and I don't know how to fix it . " I nodded , leaning forward slightly . " That sounds incredibly overwhelming . Would you like to talk about what's hoon hannanina ? " 2/4 Chapter 16 +10 Bonus about what's been happening ? " She hesitated but began slowly . " Louis - my husband - used to make me feel like I mattered . Like I was important . But now … there is no trust . I stopped trusting him when I found out he cheated and he … well , he wanted to keep me , to try to make me happy again . It's impossible . And then there's Maya … " Her lips pressed into a thin line . " Maya ? " I prompted gently . " She was supposed to be my best friend , " Emily said , bitterness seeping into her tone . " But she's manipulated her way into every corner of my life , driving away other friends over the years . I can't trust her anymore , but Louis … he went from hating her to defending her overnight and all because she tricked him into giving her a baby . " Her words came out in a rush now , like a dam breaking . I let her speak , watching as years of pain and frustration spilled into the space between us . 314 Chapter 16 +10 Bonus When she finally stopped , I gave her a moment to collect herself before speaking . " It sounds like you've been carrying a lot on your own, Emily . That's not something anyone should have to do . " She let out a dry laugh . " Well , I don't exactly have a lot of people lining up to help . " I tilted my head slightly . " What about family ? You truly have no other friends ? " Her expression darkened . " Friends ? Maya's made sure I don't have any left . And my parents … " She trailed off , shaking her head . " They're more invested in Louis than they are in me , even if my mother regrets the past . Even if she loves me … "