Chapter 54
Emily’s POV
I woke up to the soft glow of the morning sun filtering through the curtains, the light warm against my skin, but the weight on my chest felt unbearable. Everything from the day before–the revelations, the heartbreak, the truth–rushed back to me like a flood.
I groaned softly, wishing it had all been a terrible nightmare, wishing that when I opened my eyes, I’d find myself in a world where Frank hadn’t destroyed everything.
I dragged myself out of bed, every part of me heavy with exhaustion. The shower felt like the only thing that could offer even a temporary escape, and I let the hot water wash over me, hoping it could somehow cleanse the pain.
But no matter how long I stood there, the ache in my chest didn’t fade. I just couldn’t shake the sense of betrayal, the hollow feeling left behind by Frank’s lies. I prayed that when I stepped out of the bathroom, I’d be in a different reality, but I knew deep down that wasn’t going to happen.
After drying off, I sat on the edge of my bed, too drained to do anything else. I wasn’t in the mood to see anyone, talk to anyone, or even face the world.
Everything felt overwhelming, and all I wanted was to be left alone to
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process the mess my life had become. Yet, a knock at the door reminded me that the world wouldn’t stop for my pain.
Reluctantly, I made my way to the door. Nina stood on the other side, holding a box of food and wearing a concerned expression.
“Hey,” she said softly, “I brought some food. Figured you might not have. eaten.”
I stared at her for a moment, debating whether to let her in or not. Part of me wanted to close the door and hide away, but Nina had always been there for me. I sighed and nodded, stepping aside to let her in.
She set the box down on the table, pulling out a couple of sandwiches and some juice. “I thought you could use some company,” Nina said, her voice light, trying to make me feel better. “You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. We can just eat in silence.”
I sat down, staring at the food but not really tasting it as I nibbled on a sandwich. The silence between us was comforting at first, but soon, the weight of my thoughts became too heavy to bear.
“I don’t know what to believe anymore,” I murmured, breaking the silence. “Frank… everything he said. What if it’s true? What if I’m really… that baby?” My voice trembled with uncertainty, my heart aching with confusion.
Nina gave me a sympathetic look, her eyes soft with understanding. “Emily, you don’t have to accept anything right now. It’s a lot to take in. But don’t let Frank’s lies define you. You’re more than whatever story he’s
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spun. You have Zane, you have your own life–focus on that.”
I nodded, but my mind drifted to Zane. God, how much I missed him. He was the only source of light in my life right now, the only thing that made sense in a world that felt so chaotic. “I miss Zane so much,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “He’s the only thing that makes me feel
grounded. I thought Frank could give me a new life, but it turns out I was just being played again.”
and she
Nina’s gaze sharpened, set down her sandwich. “Emily, you can’t keep placing your hopes on men to fix things for you. Frank, Keith, whoever–it’s not about them. It’s about you. You’ve been through so much, but you keep looking for someone to fill that void left by Keith and your family. You need to stop relying on others for your happiness.”
Her words hit a nerve, and I felt anger bubbling up inside me. “That’s not true,” I snapped, my voice rising defensively. “I love myself. I’ve been doing my best to move on, to rebuild my life.”
Nina didn’t back down. “Do you? Because from where I’m standing, it seems like you’ve been searching for someone to save you, to fix everything that’s broken. You deserve to be loved, but you need to stop waiting for someone else to make you whole.”
I clenched my fists, frustration flaring up. “Of course, I love myself, Nina!” I shouted, standing up and pacing the room. “You don’t understand. You don’t know what it’s like to be so… so broken and betrayed by everyone you’ve trusted!”
Nina stayed quiet for a moment, letting my anger simmer. When I stopped
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pacing and stood still, catching my breath, a wave of guilt washed over me. I hadn’t meant to lash out, especially not at her.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, rubbing my temples. “I just… I don’t know how to deal with this.”
Nina softened, getting up and placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay, Emily. You’re going through hell right now. I just want you to remember that you don’t need a man to fix things. You’re stronger than you think.”
Before I could respond, the doorbell rang, slicing through the tense air in the room. My stomach churned with unease, every instinct telling me not to answer. But I walked over anyway, my steps slow and reluctant. When I opened the door, my heart nearly stopped.
There, standing on my doorstep, was Frank. His eyes were cold, calculating, the very sight of him making my blood boil. How could he have the audacity to show up here, after everything?
After the lies, the betrayal, the destruction he’d caused in my life. Anger surged through me, and I gripped the door, ready to slam it in his face.
But before I could, Frank’s hand shot out, holding the door open with a calm force that only infuriated me more. “Emily, wait,” he said, his voice eerily calm, almost as if nothing had happened between us. As if he hadn‘ t ripped my world apart.
“Get away from me,” I spat, my voice trembling with anger and disgust. “You have no right to be here. After everything you’ve done-”
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“I didn’t come alone,” Frank interrupted, his grip on the door unyielding as his eyes flicked over his shoulder. “I thought it was time for you to meet my adoptive parents.”
I froze, my gaze shifting beyond him to the couple standing behind him. My heart stuttered in disbelief. Tom and Vera Williams. They stood there with an air of quiet authority, their presence undeniable. One of the most powerful couples in the country, wealthier and more influential than even Keith’s family.
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