Emily's POVI still came to the wedding despite my reservations.When Damian’s father personally delivered the invitation, I hesitated for a long time. I could have refused and left all the pain in the past, could have spared myself from the whispers, the lingering stares, the carefully measured pity disguised as politeness. But in the end, I chose to face it. I wanted to prove to everyone that I had moved on.With my hand resting on Damian’s arm, I stepped into the wedding reception with composed steps, my expression indifferent, my spine straight. The murmurs started almost instantly, hushed voices passing from one guest to another like a ripple in still water. I could feel the weight of their gazes, lingering too long before darting away when I met their eyes. Most of them were familiar faces, I had once raised my glass to toast their happiness at their own weddings, just as they had once watched me walk down the aisle toward Louis, believing it was forever. And now, they saw me he
Maya, however, chuckled lightly, the sound as artificial as the diamonds glistening in her ears. "Oh, Emily herself is already annoying enough," she mused, her eyes gleaming. "I did hear something rather interesting, though. Apparently, Damian has been searching for someone, his childhood first love." She tilted her head, her gaze locking onto mine. "Maybe he just thinks Emily looks like her."Her words were not spoken in hushed tones. They were meant to be heard, meant to draw a reaction, meant to make me falter.I did not.Instead, I reached for my fork, cutting through the delicate piece of fish on my plate, tasting the citrus glaze with an appreciative nod. "The ingredients are lovely," I said simply, directing my words to Damian and his grandfather, who sat nearby. Damian smiled, nodding in agreement, and his grandfather gave a pleased chuckle.Maya’s smile tightened.The rest of the night continued in a blur of laughter, music, and speeches. I played my role well. I smiled when
Emily's POVI remained still. My heart pounded in my chest, but I did not move.That drove her completely mad.Maya’s expression tightened, frustration flashing behind her eyes. This was her moment of triumph, her moment to watch me crumble, to see me break beneath the weight of her cruelty, and I refused to give her that victory.She drew a breath, her lips curling into something sharper, something colder. “Do you remember that video?” she whispered, her voice like silk wrapping around a dagger. “The one that destroyed you? The one that made Louis finally leave you? The one that showed the whole world what you refused to believe?”I clenched my fingers at my sides.A slow, satisfied smirk stretched across her lips. “I was the one who released it.”The world tilted for a split second.Pain lanced through me, sharp, deep, sudden. My breath hitched ever so slightly, but I forced myself to breathe, to push past the suffocating weight pressing down on my chest.For so long, I had wondered
Emily's POVThe tent flap flew open with a suddenness that cut through the tension like a blade, and Maya’s smugness evaporated instantly. I watched as her whole body transformed, as though she were an actress snapping into a different role with revolting ease. She dropped her smirk like a discarded mask and lunged for my hand with trembling fingers, her eyes wide and glistening with freshly manufactured tears.“Emily,” she whimpered, her voice catching, as though she were the one who had just been threatened. “Please… I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just trying to talk—”It was horrifying to watch. She looked like a chameleon caught mid-shift, her oversized, glassy eyes darting between expressions, her mouth twisted into a trembling grimace of sorrow. She was grotesque, a pitiful little thing putting on a pageant of guilt. My skin crawled. I stumbled back, yanking my hand from her claws, my voice sharp and full of loathing.“Let me go,” I spat, shaking off the last trace of her tou
Emily's POVThe sound that followed was unmistakable. Maya’s voice—clear, venomous—hissed from the tiny speaker.“The day you lost your baby… You still remember it, don’t you?”My breath caught again, but this time it was not from pain. It was from the raw clarity of hearing her confession echoed back to her. Damian stood tall beside me, his phone raised slightly between us all, his face unreadable.“You want to know the truth, Emily? That day… the day everything fell apart for you… I went to Louis’s house. It was Lucy who let me in. And after she left, I changed into your clothes. And while you were asleep… I drugged you.”There was a soft gasp from Maya, but the recording continued, unwavering.“I needed you to look crazy, Emily. And it worked, didn’t it? Poor, unstable, hysterical Emily. And your baby? Well, that was just an unfortunate consequence.”Maya's face blanched as her own giggle crackled from the speaker.“I was the one who released it.”Then my voice joined in, calm, eve
Emily's POVI couldn’t help it. The smirk spread across my face before I could stop it, satisfaction blooming in my chest like a firework. There, on her wedding night, Maya stood trembling in her glittering red dress, her mask ripped away, her secrets echoing in the cool evening air. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to dance. But I kept my expression composed, the way a queen might regard a jester who had overstayed her welcome.Damian’s arm tightened around me, and now he was looking at Maya with open contempt. “This is your last warning,” he said, his voice a low growl. “If you continue scheming, I will destroy you. Not just with rumors or whispers. I will bring the truth out in the open, and there will be nowhere left for you to hide.”Maya flinched. For the first time, she had no comeback, no clever insult, no crocodile tears. She stood rooted in place, teeth clenched, eyes darting from him to me and back again, her fury barely contained beneath her skin.I stepped forward slightly, no
Emily's POVI was packing my husband's suitcase and found a box of used condoms in the pocket.I open the box and find only four condoms even though the box says it's a pack of six. A wave of nausea washes over me as I sink onto the floor in disbelief - I'm afraid of what this means. Ten years of good, solid marriage. We’d gotten comfortable, perhaps too comfortable, but still, I thought we had true love. Louis wouldn’t throw it all away on some random business trip, right?“Babe? I’m home!” Louis’ voice rang through the house, smooth and confident, like it always did. I shoved the box back into the suitcase pocket with shaking hands, snapped the zipper shut, and forced myself to stand.I met him in the foyer, where he dropped his briefcase and smiled, that wide, boyish grin that once made me weak in the knees. “Hey, there’s my girl.” He pulled me into his arms, and I stiffened before I could stop myself. His cologne, the one I’d picked for him years ago, smelled cloying now—familiar
Louis's POVAs 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
Emily's POVI couldn’t help it. The smirk spread across my face before I could stop it, satisfaction blooming in my chest like a firework. There, on her wedding night, Maya stood trembling in her glittering red dress, her mask ripped away, her secrets echoing in the cool evening air. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to dance. But I kept my expression composed, the way a queen might regard a jester who had overstayed her welcome.Damian’s arm tightened around me, and now he was looking at Maya with open contempt. “This is your last warning,” he said, his voice a low growl. “If you continue scheming, I will destroy you. Not just with rumors or whispers. I will bring the truth out in the open, and there will be nowhere left for you to hide.”Maya flinched. For the first time, she had no comeback, no clever insult, no crocodile tears. She stood rooted in place, teeth clenched, eyes darting from him to me and back again, her fury barely contained beneath her skin.I stepped forward slightly, no
Emily's POVThe sound that followed was unmistakable. Maya’s voice—clear, venomous—hissed from the tiny speaker.“The day you lost your baby… You still remember it, don’t you?”My breath caught again, but this time it was not from pain. It was from the raw clarity of hearing her confession echoed back to her. Damian stood tall beside me, his phone raised slightly between us all, his face unreadable.“You want to know the truth, Emily? That day… the day everything fell apart for you… I went to Louis’s house. It was Lucy who let me in. And after she left, I changed into your clothes. And while you were asleep… I drugged you.”There was a soft gasp from Maya, but the recording continued, unwavering.“I needed you to look crazy, Emily. And it worked, didn’t it? Poor, unstable, hysterical Emily. And your baby? Well, that was just an unfortunate consequence.”Maya's face blanched as her own giggle crackled from the speaker.“I was the one who released it.”Then my voice joined in, calm, eve
Emily's POVThe tent flap flew open with a suddenness that cut through the tension like a blade, and Maya’s smugness evaporated instantly. I watched as her whole body transformed, as though she were an actress snapping into a different role with revolting ease. She dropped her smirk like a discarded mask and lunged for my hand with trembling fingers, her eyes wide and glistening with freshly manufactured tears.“Emily,” she whimpered, her voice catching, as though she were the one who had just been threatened. “Please… I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just trying to talk—”It was horrifying to watch. She looked like a chameleon caught mid-shift, her oversized, glassy eyes darting between expressions, her mouth twisted into a trembling grimace of sorrow. She was grotesque, a pitiful little thing putting on a pageant of guilt. My skin crawled. I stumbled back, yanking my hand from her claws, my voice sharp and full of loathing.“Let me go,” I spat, shaking off the last trace of her tou
Emily's POVI remained still. My heart pounded in my chest, but I did not move.That drove her completely mad.Maya’s expression tightened, frustration flashing behind her eyes. This was her moment of triumph, her moment to watch me crumble, to see me break beneath the weight of her cruelty, and I refused to give her that victory.She drew a breath, her lips curling into something sharper, something colder. “Do you remember that video?” she whispered, her voice like silk wrapping around a dagger. “The one that destroyed you? The one that made Louis finally leave you? The one that showed the whole world what you refused to believe?”I clenched my fingers at my sides.A slow, satisfied smirk stretched across her lips. “I was the one who released it.”The world tilted for a split second.Pain lanced through me, sharp, deep, sudden. My breath hitched ever so slightly, but I forced myself to breathe, to push past the suffocating weight pressing down on my chest.For so long, I had wondered
Maya, however, chuckled lightly, the sound as artificial as the diamonds glistening in her ears. "Oh, Emily herself is already annoying enough," she mused, her eyes gleaming. "I did hear something rather interesting, though. Apparently, Damian has been searching for someone, his childhood first love." She tilted her head, her gaze locking onto mine. "Maybe he just thinks Emily looks like her."Her words were not spoken in hushed tones. They were meant to be heard, meant to draw a reaction, meant to make me falter.I did not.Instead, I reached for my fork, cutting through the delicate piece of fish on my plate, tasting the citrus glaze with an appreciative nod. "The ingredients are lovely," I said simply, directing my words to Damian and his grandfather, who sat nearby. Damian smiled, nodding in agreement, and his grandfather gave a pleased chuckle.Maya’s smile tightened.The rest of the night continued in a blur of laughter, music, and speeches. I played my role well. I smiled when
Emily's POVI still came to the wedding despite my reservations.When Damian’s father personally delivered the invitation, I hesitated for a long time. I could have refused and left all the pain in the past, could have spared myself from the whispers, the lingering stares, the carefully measured pity disguised as politeness. But in the end, I chose to face it. I wanted to prove to everyone that I had moved on.With my hand resting on Damian’s arm, I stepped into the wedding reception with composed steps, my expression indifferent, my spine straight. The murmurs started almost instantly, hushed voices passing from one guest to another like a ripple in still water. I could feel the weight of their gazes, lingering too long before darting away when I met their eyes. Most of them were familiar faces, I had once raised my glass to toast their happiness at their own weddings, just as they had once watched me walk down the aisle toward Louis, believing it was forever. And now, they saw me he
Maya's POVStepping out of the bridal suite once more, I felt reborn. The deep wine-red gown cascaded over my frame, sculpted to perfection, seductive yet elegant, as though it had been woven from the very essence of power itself. The rubies glistening at my neck and wrists caught the light with every movement, perfectly matching the fire in my veins. It was not just a dress. It was a statement. It declared to the world that I was untouchable, that I had won.The moment I stepped outside the main doors, heads turned. My father, Charles, was the first to approach, his expression one of pure admiration. His arms opened, and I stepped into his embrace, inhaling the scent of expensive cologne and success."You are breathtaking," he murmured, pulling back to admire me. "Everything about this night is perfection, and all of it is for you, my beautiful daughter."I beamed, tilting my chin up as if soaking in the admiration. "Thank you, Father. This wedding, this reception, it is beyond anyth
Maya's POVThe reception was a masterpiece.Exactly as I’d imagined it—a golden haze blanketing the estate as the sun dipped low in the sky, casting everything in that soft, glowing light you can’t fake. Rows of champagne flutes sparkled like diamonds, the scent of roses wafting through the warm air, mingling with hints of truffle, seared lamb, and other delicacies I had hand-selected from a Michelin-starred tasting.People were talking about it already. I could hear it in the way they murmured as they arrived, the way their eyes widened at the floral arch, the way their compliments grew more effusive with each course. This wasn’t just a reception—it was the event. The kind of thing high society would whisper about for years.Louis and I stood at the entrance like royalty, arms elegantly linked as guests floated toward us with their congratulations and over-the-top gifts. I wanted every single one of them on display—glinting under the chandeliers in the grand salon like trophies. Proo
Emily's POVLouis wasted no time. He pulled her into his arms, pressing a lingering kiss against her temple before resting his forehead against hers. “Finally,” he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. “It’s over. We’re married.”Maya smiled, resting her hands on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath the crisp fabric of his tuxedo. “Yes,” she whispered. “And it was perfect.”His lips curled into a soft grin as he kissed her once more. “I can’t believe we actually made it through the day.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Now we can start our new life together. Just us and the baby.”At the mention of their child, Maya’s fingers tightened against his jacket. Their baby. The ultimate symbol of her victory. She had everything. Louis, their marriage, their child.She let out a pleased hum, tilting her head to look at herself in the full-length mirror. Louis wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and she sighed in contentment. She wasn’t showing yet, thank Go