Chapter 18 I leaned back on the plush couch in my apartment , staring at the ceiling . My fingers twirled idly through my hair as memories of the past unfurled , mingling with my current schemes . Emily . She was the anchor of every thought , every plan , every bit of Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Maya's POV I leaned back on the plush couch in my +10 Bonus apartment , staring at the ceiling . My fingers twirled idly through my hair as memories of the past unfurled , mingling with my current schemes . Emily . She was the anchor of every thought , every plan , every bit of envy that burned quietly within me . It had always been Emily . Back in high school , she was the golden girl - beautiful , driven , and effortlessly adored . Beside her , I was just the shadow , the girl people noticed only when Emily wasn't around . Even the teachers who praised me for my hard work always added , " You and Emily make such a great team . " A laugh escaped me , bitter and hollow . Emily's glow made my achievements look like scraps . I'd smiled at her wedding , clapping politely , but the jealousy had gnawed at my stomach as I watched 1/5 Chapter 18 +10 Bonus her glide down the aisle . She didn't just get a husband - she secured Louis Kingsley , a man who seemed to have everything : charm , intelligence , and a future paved in gold . When Emily reappeared in my life after college , she seemed so … untouchable . Her laughter rang carefree , her world unblemished by the cracks forming in mine . Meanwhile , my boyfriend and I were unraveling , our love nothing more than strained politeness . My mom and I struggled financially , her stories of my mysterious billionaire father no longer a comfort , but a cruel joke . Meeting Louis again changed everything . *** " Louis , do you have a moment ? " I asked , feigning nervousness as I hovered by his office door . He looked up from his desk , his sharp eyes 2/5 Chapter 18 +10 Bonus апагр суса softening when they landed on me . " Of course , Maya . Come in . " I stepped inside , clutching the folder I'd brought as a prop . " I just wanted to thank you again for giving me this opportunity . Emily's been so kind , recommending me to you . I really needed this job . " Louis smiled , but it didn't reach his eyes . " You don't have to thank me . Emily spoke highly of you , and I trust her judgment . " His voice , steady and confident , sent a thrill through me . There was something magnetic about the way he carried himself , the way he always seemed in control . " Well , I'm lucky to have both of you in my corner , " I said , letting my smile linger a moment too long . He didn't seem to notice - or maybe he chose not to . Either way , the seed was planted . 3/5 Chapter 18 +10 Bonus Emily had no idea how easily her trust could be weaponized . She thought she was helping me by suggesting Louis hire me after I lost my job . Instead , she handed me the keys to her kingdom . Still , it hadn't been easy . Louis adored Emily , even when he was frustrated with her . During the night we spent together - my greatest triumph and greatest humiliation - it was Emily's name he whispered . I closed my eyes , recalling that night with a mix of satisfaction and bitterness . It had taken meticulous planning to get to that point . The texts I'd sent to Emily from my boyfriend's phone , the carefully staged clues - everything was calculated to plant seeds of doubt in her mind . The next morning , Louis was distant , guilt shadowing his every word . " Maya , we shouldn't have- " Chapter 18 +10 Bonus " Don't , " I interrupted , my voice soft but firm . " Don't make this harder than it already is . I know you love her , Louis . I just … " I let my voice break , wiping at a tear that wasn't there . " I'm sorry . I wasn't thinking clearly . " יר He looked at me , conflicted , and I knew I had him hooked . Not fully , not yet , but the cracks were forming .