Chapter 7
Emily’s POV
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I 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
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confession would have.
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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 my
ears rang. I stared blankly at the rocky slope in front
of me. A slightly panicked sob escaped from my lips.
But, God, I was so exhausted.
When I finally snapped out of it, I looked for my
phone but couldn’t find it. I stepped out of the car
and finally noticed the slight drizzle. I looked down.
at the ground for my phone and cursed as I found it
lying beside the car. When I picked it up and turned
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it over, I fell to my knees when I saw its shattered
screen.
A sudden screeching noise made me turn. I
flinched back as a car skidded to a halt right in front
of me. I stared as a handsome man stepped out and
came toward me. His short but styled hair was
brown. When his dark eyes met mine I almost
startled at the intensity.
“Are you all right, Miss?” he asked, his tone
concerned but also light. Probably to try and keep
me at ease. He held out a hand.
It took me a moment to gather myself. Then I
took his hand and let him pull me to my feet. “I’m
sorry, I…”
He shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. I’m Damian
”
by the way.” He glanced again at my crashed car
and smiled. “Must have been one hell of a breakup,
huh?”
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I shrugged and looked away, suddenly self-
conscious. “I’m Emily. I…I don’t want you to think I’m
a terrible driver.”
He raised a brow. “I don’t think you’re a terrible
driver.”
I nodded. “Still, let me explain. I was… arguing
with my husband over the phone. He cheated on me,
and,” I swallowed thickly. “I lost it. I wasn’t thinking
clearly. I didn’t mean to hit the slope.”
Damian looked at me for a long moment,
making me a little uncomfortable. Then I felt my
face flush and I almost groaned from the
embarrassment.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I told a complete
stranger that, it’s so weird, I’m-”
Damian held up a hand. “Don’t worry about it.”
His gaze softened into sympathy, and I felt slightly
more at ease. “That must have been a terrible thing
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to find out. I’m very sorry,” he added
“Thank you,” I murmured.
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There was a brief pause. “Look, why don’t I
drive you home? If you give me your insurance
information, I’ll call them and a tow truck for you.
How does that sound?”
I was shocked at his kindness. “That
sounds…amazing. You’re a saint.”
He grinned widely, and something in his eyes
twinkled. “I’m no saint. But thanks for the vote of
confidence.”
He quickly sorted my insurance and the tow
truck as I took a bit to gather my things (and myself).
Then we got in his car and drove in surprisingly
comfortable silence.
When we pulled into my driveway, the vast
house, usually a place of refuge, was now an
aminaue continal against the hariz
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ominous sentinel against the horizon.
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“Well, this is me,” I said awkwardly. Still, I didn’t
get out of the car.
Why did this man have such an effect on me? I
didn’t have the energy to deal with anything else
right now, and yet…
“You take care of yourself, Emily,” he said. His
hand twitched and I thought for a weird moment he
would reach toward me, but instead he went into his
wallet and pulled out a business card, then handed it
to me. “If you need anything, anything at all, don’t
hesitate to call.”
Huh, he’s a doctor?
I stared at his card and then back at him.
“Thank you,” I said. “Really.”
I nodded once like I was trying to reassure
myself as much as him and then got out of the car. I
waved as he reversed out of the driveway and drove
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off. However, when I got to the front door and pulled
my keys out, I realized it was already open. Was
Louis home early from work? Anger already started
building inside me.
Lewd sounds from the living room drew me
towards it. As I entered the room, my heart stopped
when I saw what was playing on the TV.
A video of Louis and Maya having passionate
sex, playing in my living room.
What kind of sick joke was this?
I screamed in rage and threw my keys against
the TV. But I missed it by a wide margin, and the
keys hit a vase instead, knocking it to the ground
and shattering it.
I stormed out of the house, breathing harshly. I
had no idea where I was going, I just started walking
and didn’t stop. Everything was crashing down
around me, everything was a blur.
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“Emily!” came a familiar voice but I barely
registered it. “Emily! Stop!”
I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. It was almost
impossible. “Help,” I whispered to myself, unable to
take in my surroundings, unable to take a full breath.
“Help.”
When I finally took a moment to pause, I
realized I was in the middle of the road in the next
neighborhood.
I pulled out my shattered phone and winced as
my fingers cut on the glass. But I dialed Louis
anyway, determined.
“Emily, I-”
“I saw the video, Louis!” I shouted. I didn’t care
if people heard me; I just needed him to hear me.
“What video? Hold on a second, I’m almost
there, Emily.”
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“I saw the video, Louis!” I shouted. I didn’t care
if people heard me; I just needed him to hear me.
“What video? Hold on a second, I’m almost
there, Emily.”
I stared in shock as his car crested over the hill.
How the Hell did he know where I was?
When he pulled up to me and rolled down the window, I almost wanted to reach through and start strangling him. “What, are you tracking me now?”
He looked to the side. “I just want to make sure
you’re safe.”
this.”
I shook my head. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Get in the car, Emily. You can’t walk home like
I sneered but got in the passenger seat anyway.
He was right, I was too emotionally fragile and
exhausted to walk back the way I came. Still, I would
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exhausted to walk back the way I came. Still, I would
never tell him that.
“I want a divorce,” I said again as we drove off
towards home.
Louis was silent.
“I want a divorce,” I repeated.
Louis‘ grip on the steering wheel tightened. “I
will do anything you say, but not that.”
“I. Want. A. Divorce.”
“DAMMIT EMILY!” He shouted and slammed his
palm on the wheel. “I’m not going to give you a
divorce, okay? I refuse!”
I glared fiercely at him.
How dare he? How dare he continue to treat me
like my feelings don’t matter like what I want doesn’t
matter? He’s a snake, and I’ve been too blind to see
it!
