Chapter 8 Maya's POV +5 Bonus I tidied up the living room quickly , ensuring everything looked untouched and perfect . The SD card and card reader I'd prepared was plugged in the back of the TV . I plucked it out , holding it with triumph , then slipped it into a drawer , placing it gently under a pile of old magazines . The proof of my night with Louis . He might have dismissed me , but I wasn't going to let him erase me or our child that easily . I smoothed my hands over my stomach , feeling anger and determination swell within . " Emily , don't blame me , " I murmured softly to myself . " I'm doing this for my child . " I whispered down to my stomach , " Daddy will love you very much . " He might not know it yet , but he would adore this baby - and me . He had to . Or all this would have been for nothing . 1/7 Chapter 8 *** +5 Bonus I had confronted him about it almost as soon as I knew . " I'm pregnant , Louis , " I told him . My pulse thrummed with the excitement that my plan was finally coming to fruition . But when he looked at me , his expression was cold and unmoving , and a flicker of disgust crossed his face . " Do whatever you want , Maya . But I won't help you raise this baby , nor will I ever acknowledge it as mine . " His tone was merciless , and it felt like he'd thrown a punch straight to my sternum . " My child will only ever come from Emily , " he continued as if I were nothing more than a temporary nuisance . " If you want anything out of this situation , get rid of it . " The words stung , and I stood there almost numb as I felt the weight of his rejection . I'd spent years trying to work my way into his life , into his world , and he was tossing me aside like I was nothing . But 2/7 Chapter 8 1 +5 Bonus as much as I wanted Louis , I wanted to keep this child even more . Still , he couldn't get rid of me or the baby that easily . With Louis's rejection hanging over me , I had turned to the only person I knew might help - Lucy , his mother . I had swallowed my pride and gone to her , rehearsing every word , perfecting my tearful , pleading expression . She needed to believe me , and more importantly , she needed to be on my side . " Believe me , I wouldn't have come to you if it wasn't important . " Lucy looked at me with skepticism . " I just don't see that my son's secretary could have anything that important to tell me . " I ignored the jab , knowing from Emily that this was just normal Lucy behavior . So , I took a deep breath and laid out my cards , carefully starting to 3/7 Chapter 8 +5 Bonus build the tears in my eyes . " I'm pregnant . With Louis's child . " She paused , and then contempt appeared on her face . " You're pregnant ? Why should I believe you ? You could easily be after his money . " I lowered my gaze , letting my voice tremble as I spoke . " I don't want anything like that from you or Louis , Lucy . I don't want money or anything extravagant . I just want to have this baby . Please , let me keep my child . " My hands clutched my stomach as if protecting the child from her piercing stare . She narrowed her eyes , considering . " Let's say you are pregnant . Infidelity is not a good look on my son . " I shrugged and made sure my lips trembled . " I know , but … what's done is done . He is having a child . And you are having a grandchild . " 4/7 I saw her suspicion soften ever so slightly . She Chapter 8 +5 Bonus still didn't trust me completely , but there was a crack in her defenses . She wanted a grandchild too much . And Emily had yet to give one to her . Still , to make sure I was telling the truth , she arranged for me to visit the hospital to confirm the pregnancy . After the doctor's confirmation , I felt a victory that I carefully hid behind a humble , grateful expression . Lucy's demeanor shifted ; she was still cautious , but now she had something to gain from my pregnancy . As we left the hospital , she linked her arm with mine . Her touch surprised me , even though her sympathy had been my goal . " We'll make sure no harm comes to the baby , Maya , " she assured me , her voice dripping with a twisted kind of sincerity . Then she stopped , studying me with a look . " When do you plan on telling Emily ? " I quickly hid my irritation and feigned innocence . " I just … I don't have the heart to break 5/7 Chapter 8 1 + 5 Bonus the news to her , Lucy . She's my best friend . " I paused , glancing away to sell the reluctance . In reality , I wanted to get things moving as quickly as possible so the baby could be settled with their Daddy , and I could have the husband I deserved . Lucy scoffed . " A real friend wouldn't be scheming to steal her friend's husband . " I nodded , giving her the obedient look she wanted . " I know . You're right . I'm … I'm so ashamed , Lucy . I don't know what came over me . " Satisfied , she went on to outline a plan . She would help me secure my place in Louis's life if I could provide him with a child . The stakes were . clear , and so was my role . All I had to do was wait for the right moment to break the news to Emily . I needed to ruin her trust in Louis while driving a wedge between them so wide that nothing could ever bring them together again . 6/7 車 車 車 Chapter 8 *** 3 +5 Bonus I returned to the present , running my carefully painted fingernails over the drawer where the SD card lay hidden . I'd gone to great lengths to carve out my place in Louis's life . I'd even maneuvered myself into becoming Emily's closest friend , isolating her from others and creating all sorts of reasons to spend time with her . Eventually , they trusted me enough that I could come and go from their home as freely as I pleased . But each time I left their house , I felt a bit defeated . I might have known every detail of their lives , the rooms , the pictures , the closets filled with their things … but it all still belonged to her . This house should be mine … But soon enough , it will be . I took a deep breath , steadying myself . I'd waited this long , and I was so close now . Patience , I needed patience . Everything was in motion , and This house should be mine … But soon enough , it will be . I took a deep breath , steadying myself . I'd waited this long , and I was so close now . Patience , I needed patience . Everything was in motion , and soon , Emily would be out of the picture .