Chapter 5

Emily's POV

Louis had gone to get some dinner at the hospital cafeteria. I was left twiddling my thumbs and staring at the IV in my hand like it magically held all the answers to my problems.

I was startled when Dr. Anderson came into the room. She had been so nice to me; I felt bad for being so distant towards her.

“Hey, Emily. How are you feeling?”

I attempted a smile and looked her in the eye as I said, “I’m feeling okay. Better. Do you have those test results?”

She nodded, and I was confused by her cheery expression until she said, “Congratulations, you’re pregnant!”

Pregnant. I’m pregnant.

My heart raced with mixed feelings that I couldn’t quite get a handle on—fear, uncertainty, but, strangely, a bit of joy that I hadn’t expected to feel.

“Where’s Louis? He’ll be so happy to find out—”

“You can’t tell him!” I snapped. At her shocked expression, I apologized. “I’m sorry. But please, don’t tell him.”

Jenna looked at me with concern. “Of course, Emily. What you want confidential stays confidential.” Then she lowered her voice and leaned forward, “But is there anything else going on at home…?”

I flushed and shook my head. It wasn’t what she thought. Louis didn’t abuse me. But he may have cheated on me, so telling him I was pregnant right now would just add a new layer of chaos.

I thanked Jenna, and she reluctantly left the room, saying I could check out in the morning. Then I was alone after a bomb had just been dropped on my lap.

I had always wanted to be a mother. And I had imagined this moment as a time of celebration, with Louis at my side. But how could I share this with him when our marriage hung by a thread?

My phone buzzed in my hand. I swallowed thickly and dared to look at the caller ID. Then I relaxed. It was only Maya.

“Hey,” I answered softly.

“I heard you were in the hospital, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said. “Just a bit of a fainting spell. Low blood sugar.”

I heard the jangle of her earrings as she nodded. “Good, good.” I didn’t expect, however, for her voice to lower and doubt to creep into it. “Hey, are you going to be free tomorrow afternoon? I need to talk to you about something.”

I was concerned about the tenseness in her tone, so I figured it was something important. Maybe she was finally getting married to her long-time boyfriend. I smiled and wanted to start planning wedding gifts right away. Maybe I could confide in Maya about this whole mess tomorrow, too. She would know what to do.

Maya and I had been best friends forever. One never far from the other; we were practically attached at the hip. But not long after we got married, Louis started getting angry about Maya and me spending so much time together. He seemed deeply unnerved by her despite having given her a job as his secretary. His anger over it scared me. Especially since…

I had gone gift shopping for Maya’s birthday. Louis was enraged, demanding that I return the gifts because it was “his money.” I refused, calling him ridiculous. And then he…he forced himself on me. Brutally kissed me and forced me to have sex with him despite my protests. It was awful, but I had done nothing about it since then.

I swallowed thickly at the memory. Then, I shook my head and forced myself back to the conversation at hand.

“Yeah, I’m free,” I replied. “Let’s meet at the usual café.”

The next day came quickly, and I found myself sitting across from Maya at the café. Usually, I would be able to relax with her, but she seemed so nervous that it was putting me on edge.

“I have news,” she said as her hands twisted in her lap.

I smiled, getting ready to congratulate her. “Are you getting married?”

She shook her head. Took a deep breath. Then she said, “I’m pregnant.”

I was momentarily stunned. The timing couldn’t be weirder. Still, I widened my grin. “That’s wonderful! I’m so happy for—”

Maya cut me off by grabbing my hand tightly. I was shocked at the tears welling in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Emily,” she murmured. “Louis is the father.”

I froze. My breath caught in my throat. “…What?”

Maya broke down, sobbing uncontrollably as her grip tightened painfully around my hand. “Oh god, I’m so sorry. I know I’ve ruined everything. It’s all my fault!”

Louis and Maya? My best friend and my husband?

This all felt like a bad dream. For a moment, I was certain I would be waking up in bed with Louis at my side and the comfort of knowing none of this had been real. But I quickly realized it was all too real.

My vision blurred as tears came to my eyes. I pulled my hand away from Maya’s and found I couldn’t stop trembling.

I tried to speak, tried to get any kind of words out. “You…I—”

I stopped with a gasp as Maya suddenly slapped herself. “It’s all my fault! All my fault!” she cried. People around us were staring. When had my life become a spectacle?

She tried to grab my hand again, but I recoiled. Then her face took on an imploring expression, and she pleaded, “Please, divorce Louis. I need him in my life. Let him go. For the sake of the baby.”

If it was possible, I was even more shocked.

How can I even process this? Was I being pranked?

I looked around for cameras, but all I saw were the accusing eyes of strangers.

“But,” I said surprisingly softly, “Louis has no feelings for you.”

I noticed Maya’s eyes harden briefly, but then sorrow returned full force to her face. “Oh, Emily, please don’t say that. Especially since I have you to thank for Louis and I meeting.” She placed a hand on her stomach, and I felt ill. “Without you, I never would have had this miracle.”

I winced and clenched my shaking hands. I resisted touching my own stomach, where my own “miracle” lay.

“Please, let Louis go so he and I can be together. My child needs it as much as I do,” Maya implored.