Louis’s POV
As the first of morning light came creeping in through the curtains, I sat on the edge of the bed, watching Emily as she slept. Despite her peaceful expression now, I knew she had slept restlessly most of the night, tossing and turning in her sleep. Guilt formed a knot in my stomach. I knew it was because of me. I knew I was the reason for her sleepless night, even if she didn’t yet.
I had betrayed her. I broke a trust so fundamentally that I knew it would all be over if she found out. She would never look at me the same again. Still, the selfish, cowardly part of me hoped she would never find out. Some things were better left unsaid. Maybe if I kept it hidden, I could protect her, protect us.
Just keep telling yourself that, coward.
I looked at her one last time before slipping out of bed. And as I got ready for work, bittersweet memories came rushing in.
***
I first noticed Emily on the sixth hole at Westridge Golf Club, struggling under a heavy bag while two older men jeered at her. Their cruel laughter echoed as she braced herself, her expression neutral. I was only half-focused on the match, but the moment I saw her, I was drawn in.
I stepped between her and the men, asking, "Is there a problem here?" One smirked, but I told them to take their jokes elsewhere and that Emily was with me now. She hesitated but followed me without a word.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said finally, breaking the silence as we neared my group. Her voice was soft but edged with something I couldn’t yet name.
“Maybe not. But I wanted to.” I slowed my pace, glancing at her. “What’s your name?”
“Emily.”
“Well, Emily, would you like to be my caddie for the rest of the day? I’ll pay extra if it’s an issue.”
Her lips parted slightly, as though she was considering refusing just to prove a point. But finally, she nodded. “Okay.”
That was the beginning.
I started asking for Emily every time I visited Westridge. I didn’t even try to hide it—none of the other caddies compared to her. She was sharp, quick to learn the game, and she didn’t wilt under pressure. Her focus, her silence, her resilience—I admired all of it. When she smiled, it was rare, but it knocked the breath out of me every time.
One afternoon, as we walked together between holes, she mentioned the debts she was trying to pay off—how she’d been balancing work since high school, trying to keep herself afloat. “I just need to get through this year,” she said, her tone too casual to hide how badly she wanted out.
I offered to help then, but she waved me off. “No offense, Mr. Whitmore, but I’m not a charity case.”
“Call me Louis,” I replied, grinning. “And fine. Be stubborn.”
Then came the day she told me about the travel team. A group of girls, handpicked to caddie for events overseas. “They’re doubling the pay,” she said, her eyes bright. “I could finish paying off my debts in months instead of years.”
I didn’t like it. I’d heard the stories—the things men expected from the women who traveled with them. “Emily, this isn’t a good idea,” I told her flatly. “You don’t know what you’re walking into.”
“I can take care of myself, Louis.”
But she couldn’t. Not entirely.
I found her weeks later at a party in Vienna. She was pale and shaking, wearing a dress that wasn’t hers, surrounded by men who couldn’t stop staring at her like she was something to be bought and sold. I didn’t think—I just pushed through the crowd until I reached her.
“Emily,” I said, quietly but firmly.
Her head snapped toward me, her expression a mix of relief and disbelief. “Louis?”
“Come with me,” I said, offering her my hand. “Now.”
She took it without hesitation. I didn’t care that I burned bridges that night—didn’t care what my associates thought when I left the party with her by my side. All I could think was that she didn’t belong there.
Back at the hotel, I told her as much. “You need to quit this, Emily. You can’t keep doing this to yourself.”
She stared at me, her hands shaking. “I don’t have a choice. I need the money.”
“Then let me help you,” I said. “You can pay me back when you’re ready. No strings attached.”
Her lips trembled. “Why?”
“Because you’re better than this,” I said simply.
She didn’t answer right away. But the next day, she told me she was done with the caddie service.
From there, everything changed.
We started seeing each other. Slowly, carefully. She introduced me to her parents not long after, and I could tell her mother didn’t approve. Over dinner, she asked, “How did you two meet?”
Emily stiffened beside me, but I smiled. “On a golf course. She was the best caddie I ever had.”
Her mother wasn’t amused. I could feel their judgment, their distrust. So I made an offer—a small investment in their family’s struggling business. I didn’t say it out loud, but we all knew what it meant: accept me, and you’ll be fine.
They didn’t have to like me. They just had to let her be happy.
And she was. For a while.
***
But now, sitting at my desk at work, that certainty felt distant. The thought of what I’d done haunted me, what I had done with Maya.
Like thinking of her had summoned her, Maya knocked on my office door. I glared at her a bit, but I couldn’t be too mad at her. It was my mistake anyway. I had gotten drunk, and I had mistaken her for my wife. No one else did that but me.
“We need to talk,” Maya said softly as she walked in. I nodded and shut the door behind her, closing the blinds to give us more privacy.
I returned to my desk, leaned against it, and crossed my arms. “Well. What do you need to talk about?”
Maya seemed unsure, nervous even. Something I had never known her to be. Then she dropped a bombshell on me.
“I’m pregnant. It’s yours.”
Pregnant? Maya was pregnant? My hands clenched into a fist at my side, angry at myself for messing my life up so completely.
“Please,” Maya said softly. “I don’t want anything from you. I just want to keep the baby. I won’t give you any more trouble.”
I took another moment to breathe, then stood up straight and stared Maya down. “I won’t deny you the right to keep the baby. And I will help in other ways if I can. But stay away from Emily. If she finds out, things won’t end well for you.”
Maya’s eyes were wide and filled with tears, and I almost felt sorry for her for a second. But her being pregnant didn’t erase the fact that she had sex with her best friend’s husband. And her part in my mistake would be something I could never forgive.
“Okay,” she eventually said. “Emily will never find out.”
I nodded once, firmly. “Good.” I stepped back around and sat down at my desk. “You can leave now, Maya.”
As Maya walked stiffly out of the office, I had hoped beyond reason that my guilt would accompany her. But, of course, it only worsened. Maya being pregnant would only complicate things, making it more likely that Emily would find out the truth.
There was no escape from my actions. I had made a bed, and now I had to lie in the dung of it. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself otherwise, the truth revealed itself sooner or later.
Emily’s POVI stretched with a soft, lazy smile, rolling over in bed as the morning light filtered through the curtains. For a moment, the fears of yesterday were a distant memory. Then my phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I reached for it, mumbling, "Wonder who’s up so early..."As I unlocked the screen, an unknown number flashed, followed by a message that made my heart stop:Louis cheated on you."What?" I gasped, sitting bolt upright. "No, no, no. I must be dreaming.”My phone slipped from my trembling fingers and clattered to the floor. I stumbled out of bed, my mind all over the place. A whirlwind of emotions coursed through me—disbelief, anger, and a terrible sadness. Was I the only one out in the dark? Did everyone else seem to know about this except me?"Breathe, Emily, breathe," I told myself as I ran a shaky hand through my blonde hair. "It's probably just a prank. Yeah, that's probably it." But as I said it, I looked in the bedroom mirror and could see the doubt on my fa
Emily’s POVI tried to sit up but hissed when my hand sank into a ceramic piece. I had fallen on the shattered bowl. Now, I was covered in cuts and “fertility soup.” Yay.A movement to my right startled me, and I looked to see Lucy there, seemingly unaffected by my fainting spell and subsequent injuries. She couldn’t care less about me; I knew that. It was just startling to see her exact level of indifference. For god’s sake, she was yawning. Like my pain bored her.I heard the front door open before fully collecting myself and trying to rise to my feet. I knew it was Louis just by his thundering footsteps as he ran across the house towards the kitchen. When he entered the room, his eyes immediately zeroed in on me, and seemingly genuine concern appeared on his face.“Emily,” he murmured as he walked over and carefully knelt beside me. “Emily, are you okay? What happened?”Why was he so concerned? Didn’t he remember what I had screamed at him through the phone?He put his hands on my
Emily’s POVLouis 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 st
Louis’ POVShe can’t find out. She can’t find out.I tapped my fingers on my desk in a stunted, anxious rhythm. This uncertainty, this nervousness, was not like me. I was usually so well put together, so confident, and full of pride. But what I had done had reduced me to practically a sniveling mess.“Dammit!” I shouted and slammed my palm on my desk. “Sir, is everything all right?” my new secretary, Susan (a middle-aged woman; I will not make the same mistake twice) asked as she peeked her head into my office.I waved a hand but couldn’t wipe the scowl on my face as I said, “I’m fine.”She looked at me skeptically but didn’t argue. I didn’t hire her to argue. I hired her to get Maya out of my life, at least until the baby came.God, what had my life become?When Susan left, I stood up and looked out the window. I clenched my fists, staring out at the storm brewing in the distance. I used to be in control—always two steps ahead, always confident. But now, everything felt like it was
Emily’s POVI drove off in a mixed state of shock and rage. I drove almost blindly, barely making it across town. Where I was going, I didn’t know.Eventually, I pulled over. With determination, I dialed Louis. He answered on the second ring as if expecting my call.“Emily? Is everything okay?”“Louis,” I said, trembling, “have you betrayed our promise?”A silence. Then, “No.”“Then why did Maya tell me she’s carrying your baby?”The silence was the judge, jury, and executioner. It condemned him just as much as any confession would have.How could he lie to me? How could he betray me like this?“Emily, where are you? Let’s talk about this—”“You’ve ruined my life!” I screamed. I saw red, fury coursing through me like a burning flame. I had no idea where I was going or even how fast I was going. I barely registered a turn and over-twisted my wheel. A deafening bang rang out, and I jerked harshly against the seatbelt as the airbag hit me roughly in the face. I sat for a moment, dazed as
Maya’s POVI 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.***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
Emily’ POVLouis 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?”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
Emily’s POVMy body was heavy, weighed down as if submerged in a thick, dark tide. The faint creak of the door barely registered and I wanted to see who it was. My mind screamed to react, to open my eyes, to ask who was there, but my body refused to obey. I was trapped in my own skin, helpless.Footsteps shuffled closer, deliberate and slow. A shadow fell across me, and I felt the invasive grip of fingers prying my mouth open. The bitter taste of something vile flooded my tongue, and I gagged, my throat spasming against the intrusion. My stomach churned violently, sending sharp, agonizing waves of pain rippling through my body.Panic surged, cutting through the fog of sedation. A damp, warm sensation spread beneath me, and I knew something was wrong—terribly wrong. I wanted to cry out, to fight back, to see the face of whoever was doing this, but darkness dragged me under once more.***"Emily!"Louis’s voice pierced through the haze, shaking me roughly by the shoulders. My head lolle
Damian's POVThe restaurant had been packed from the moment the doors opened, the energy electric, the kitchen a well-oiled machine producing dish after dish with precision and perfection. Emily had been in her element, her passion shining through with every plate that left the pass. And now, as the final customers lingered over their desserts and the staff began winding down, she stood at the bar, a champagne flute in hand, her cheeks flushed from the rush of it all.I stood beside her, watching the way her eyes sparkled in the low light. “You should let them close up,” I murmured, swirling the golden liquid in my glass before taking a sip.She turned to me, instantly shaking her head. “I can’t just leave them to do everything. It was a crazy night.”Her assistant manager, a sharp-eyed woman named Lila, overheard and let out an exasperated sigh. “Emily, go. Seriously. We’ve got it under control.”Her sous chef, a burly, no-nonsense guy named Felix, chimed in from across the bar. “We’
Damian's POVFrom across the restaurant, I watched Emily’s expression shift as she spoke on the phone in the office. A faint smile tugged at her lips, her features soft, even playfully relaxed. It was a look I recognized but didn’t often see—at least, not when she was with me. With me, she was always guarded, careful, as if some invisible weight rested on her shoulders.The way her fingers curled loosely around the phone, the way her eyes flickered with amusement—it wasn’t just a casual call. She wasn’t just handling business. This was different. This was personal.My fingers absentmindedly traced the edge of my phone. Nathan’s voice echoed in my mind, teasing and knowing, and I could still hear Emily’s casual remark—"a private invitation."Psychology would categorize this as an irrational jealousy response. But at this moment, I had no intention of suppressing it with logic.Sliding my phone into my pocket, I made my way toward the office.She had just ended the call, still staring a
Emily's POVEmily barely had time to catch her breath before she was back in the kitchen, calling out to her chefs as they fired up dish after dish. The energy was intoxicating, the air thick with the smell of sizzling meats, fragrant broths, and caramelized garlic. But that night for dinner, with their reservations full, there was something new in the mix.Truffle fried rice.The dish had started as an experiment, a luxurious take on a humble classic, and after Nathan’s viral video, she knew the timing was perfect. A blend of creamy truffle, perfectly fried rice, and a balance of umami-rich flavors that made every bite melt on the tongue. She had tested it, perfected it, and now it was ready to make its grand debut.As soon as the first plates hit the tables, the reaction was immediate. Customers took that first bite and practically melted in their seats. Word spread fast, and soon, orders flooded the kitchen, the dish flying off the line like gold dust. It was a hit.Emily barely co
Emily's POVThe kitchen buzzed with energy, the air thick with the scent of sizzling garlic, rich broths, and seared meats. Pans clattered, knives chopped in rhythmic precision, and the steady hum of the lunch rush filled the space. Emily moved with practiced ease, her sleeves rolled up, her hands expertly tossing noodles in a steaming wok. Sweat beaded along her hairline, but she didn’t care. This was her domain, her sanctuary.But then her phone vibrated again. And again. And again.Her brow furrowed as she wiped her hands on a kitchen towel, glancing at the notifications flooding her lock screen. Her heart pounded, her pulse quickening with every new alert.The numbers didn’t lie; Nathan Park’s short video had exploded, racking up thousands of likes, shares, and comments in just a few days. It was everywhere. Food bloggers, influencers, even critics had latched onto it, praising the restaurant’s revival and raving about the dishes.Emily sucked in a breath, pushing through the swin
Maya's POVI finished the last bite of my dessert, a delicate fruit tart with a buttery crust and just the right amount of sweetness. It had been a perfect evening, just like the ones I had always envisioned for myself—peaceful, luxurious, and completely under my control. No unexpected chaos, no unwanted guests, no one to question me or undermine my authority. This was my home, my life, and I was finally at the center of it all.I picked up my phone again, absentmindedly scrolling through my messages as I sipped on my herbal tea. A new text from my mother, Lyla, caught my attention.Have you considered keeping things simple for the wedding? A smaller venue, something more intimate? No need for extravagance, sweetheart. These things are about the union, not the spectacle.I nearly scoffed aloud. Not the spectacle? What was even the point of a wedding if not to be a spectacle? This was my grand moment, my crowning achievement, the culmination of everything I had worked toward. I had spe
Maya's POVMy life was finally perfect.Louis was always busy with work, but that was exactly what I wanted. He was dedicated to the family business, leaving me to enjoy the luxury of our new home, a spacious, pristine sanctuary untouched by chaos. No more bizarre herbs strewn across counters, no more foreign guests parading through the house at all hours, and, most importantly, no more Lucy. I had won.The house was everything I had dreamed of, the kind of place women envied and whispered about over brunch. A classic American two-story home, wrapped in elegant ivory siding, with dark shutters that framed tall, stately windows. The front yard was a masterpiece—symmetrically trimmed hedges, a smooth stone pathway leading up to a grand mahogany door, and a black wrought-iron gate enclosing it all in a picture-perfect vision of stability. No overgrown vines creeping over walls, no bizarre statues cluttering the yard. It was polished, refined, and entirely mine.The backyard was just as f
Louis's POVMaya let out a sharp, humorless laugh, eyes widening as she stared at my mother in utter disbelief. “Thanking you?” she spat. “For what? For making me live in this?” She gestured wildly around the room, her hands trembling. “For making my house smell like rotting plants? For forcing me to drink God-knows-what every single day? For making me feel like I am losing my sanity?”Lucy sighed, rolling her eyes slightly, as if Maya were nothing more than a dramatic child throwing a tantrum. “You’re exaggerating,” she said with that same infuriating calmness. “The house isn’t that messy. You young people are just too accustomed to sterile, lifeless spaces. A home should have character. It should be full of life, full of culture. You act as if a few books out of place and a few herbs drying in the air is a disaster.”“A few herbs?” Maya shrieked. “There are piles of them, everywhere! It looks like a witch’s lair! And the books? They’re not even ours! Where do you even get them?” She
Louis's POVThe moment my phone rang and I saw Maya’s name flash on the screen, I knew something was wrong. I had been getting ready to leave work, shrugging on my jacket, when I answered. The second I picked up, her voice hit me like a storm, raw, frantic, and nearly breaking apart with rage and frustration."Louis, I can't do this anymore!" she cried, her voice shaking. "I swear to God, I am losing my mind in this house! Your mother is unbearable! She’s always here, always interfering, always treating me like I’m some child who can’t take care of myself! And those—those disgusting concoctions she keeps forcing on me, I can’t take it, Louis, I won’t take it! Do you have any idea what I walked into today? Do you? The house is a disaster! It looks like some kind of apothecary exploded, and the kitchen—Louis, I went into the kitchen, and there were dead bugs in the food. Dead. Bugs!"I gripped my phone tighter, momentarily stunned into silence. My mind should have been focused on Maya,
Maya's POVI couldn’t take it anymore. My hands were trembling as I clutched my phone, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. The sheer disgust of what I had just seen, the chaos of this house, the stench that clung to every surface, it was all too much. I swiped at the tears on my cheeks, pressing the call button with shaking fingers. The phone barely rang before Louis picked up."Maya?" His voice was steady, indifferent, as if he hadn’t just left me to drown in this nightmare of a house.I felt my composure shatter the moment I heard his voice. "Louis, I can't do this anymore," I cried, my words tumbling out in a desperate, breathless rush. "I swear to God, I am losing my mind in this house! Your mother—she is unbearable! She is always here, always interfering, always shoving her ridiculous remedies down my throat, and I have had enough!"There was silence on the other end, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. "She keeps making these disgusting concoctions and insists I drink them.