Chapter 9 Louis carried me through the door , his arms tight around me as if he were afraid I'd shatter . The sight of everything looking so normal while my entire life was falling apart was jarring . But there was something more . The house was too clean , Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Emily ' POV +10 Bonus Louis carried me through the door , his arms tight around me as if he were afraid I'd shatter . The sight of everything looking so normal while my entire life was falling apart was jarring . But there was something more . The house was too clean , especially around the TV . This wasn't how I had left it . I wrenched out of his grasp , stumbling . " This isn't right ! " I shouted , pointing at the TV . " Where's the video ? " Louis moved closer , his hand reaching out to stroke my cheek in an attempt to calm me . " Emily , " he said , his voice too soft , instantly grating on my nerves , " you're tired . You've been through a lot . Just sit down , okay ? " 1/7 But I pushed him away , unable to shake the Chapter +10 Bonus But I pushed him away , unable to shake the terrible feeling of violation and insecurity . " No , Louis ! Somebody's been here - someone messed with the TV ! " I screeched , my voice rising as my thoughts spiraled . " Where is the video ? " I was grasping at straws - it felt like everything was slipping through my fingers , and the more I tried to hold on , the faster it disappeared . The video seemed like my only hope to prove Maya's manipulation . It had to be here ! It just had to ! Louis pressed me down gently onto the sofa , frustration crossing his face . He glanced over his shoulder and barked , " Call the doctor , " to his new assistant , who lingered in the doorway , eyeing the scene with worry and awkwardness . He muttered under his breath as his phone started buzzing again , the screen lighting up with work notifications and calls . Suddenly , he snapped , " I don't have time for this right now ! " and threw his phone onto the coffee table . I didn't quite know if he 2/7 +10 Bonus Chapter 9 was talking about me or work . Minutes later , the family doctor arrived , and Louis let out a small sigh of relief . But I resisted , struggling to get away from the doctor's ministrations . " I'm fine ! We need to find the video ! " The doctor looked to Louis . " Do you know what video she's talking about ? " Louis shook his head . " I think she imagined it . I don't have a clue . " Why won't anyone believe me ? The doctor nodded then turned to me with a smile that was probably meant to be comforting , but it just made me sick to my stomach . " Now , Emily , I'm going to give you something that'll calm you down . That okay ? " 317 I shook my head , " No ! " I tried to get up again , Chapter 9 +10 Bonus but Louis pulled me back down . I pulled at his grip , shouting , " Let me go ! Let me go ! " Louis looked sternly at the doctor . " Give her the medicine , now . " I screeched , but Louis held me down . The doctor gave me a gentle , apologetic look , but he continued to prepare the sedative . " It'll help you sleep , Emily , " he said , though his words felt empty . Then the needle pricked my arm , and I felt the cool liquid entering my veins , draining the last of my fight . The room started to blur , and my thoughts grew sluggish . Louis and the doctor stood up and started walking away , muttering in low tones to each other . I muttered something , I think it was Louis ' name . I had wanted to tell him that someone had been in our home , that someone was trying to destroy us , but before my lips could even begin to form the proper words . he was already gone . The darkness crept in . 4/7 Chapter 9 and I felt myself sinking into the abyss . +10 Bonus When I opened my eyes again , I was weaker than before , my arms and legs too heavy to lift . The sedative still lingered in my system , clouding my mind . I hated the sensation , but I couldn't do a thing about it . I jerked a little , though , when I finally spotted Lucy standing by my bedside , her face twisted with something like satisfaction . She leaned in , her voice a whisper that promised poison in its wake . " I'm sorry about what happened , Emily , " she said , though her tone carried no warmth . Her gaze flickered over me as if eyeing some sort of handiwork . Was Lucy somehow involved in this ? I thought she hated me , but I didn't think it would ever get to this point . 5/7 " But tell me , what are you holding on for ? It's Chapter 9 +10 Bonus only a matter of time before Louis brings up divorce . He wouldn't want to stay with someone in your state . I mean , mentally … you're broken . " Her words stabbed deep , each cutting deeper than the last . I tried to move , to say something , but my lips wouldn't cooperate . I was trapped in my own body as Lucy stood over me with a menacing aura . " Maya is having my grandchild , " she hissed . Her hand rested on her hip , and a smirk crept onto her face . " I'll warn you once , and only once . Emily , don't get any funny ideas . I never approved of your marriage to Louis , and this- " she gestured dismissively at me " -is a chance to fix it . A chance for him to finally move on with someone who understands him , who can give him what he truly wants . " Her eyes glinted with triumph as she straightened , the stupid smirk never once leaving her face . She was thrilled , savoring every word , Chapter 9 +10 Bonus every moment of watching me crumble . But as much as I wanted to shout at her , to tell her that she was wrong , that I wasn't broken , I couldn't . As she walked away , a heavy wave of despair crashed into me , pressing down on my chest until it was hard to breathe . My body felt like a prison, and I couldn't fight against it . Lucy's words echoed in my mind , a terrible reminder that everything I had fought for was slipping away . My marriage had become a battlefield where I was surrounded , outnumbered , and left on the losing side .