Chapter 5 Episode 5

She asked again, quietly this time, "How's the boy? Your baby?"

Something flickered across Caleb's face. Guilt? Fear? He looked away quickly.

"You should focus on yourself," he muttered. "Stop worrying about things that aren't your concern."

So it was true. He wouldn't even say the child's name around her.

Emma didn't ask anything else.

The house slipped back into silence. Cold, sterile silence. No apologies. No explanations.

She carried her days like that, unanswered questions, ignored phone calls, a husband who no longer looked her in the eye.

______

Emma was sitting by the upstairs window, legs curled beneath her, lost in thought. The sky was grey, and her tea had gone cold.

The housekeeper called up the stairs. "Miss Sophie is here to see you."

She flinched.

"Your best friend," the woman added hesitantly.

Emma didn't move for a moment. Then she stood, smoothed her shirt, and walked to the staircase.

Sophie stood at the bottom, smiling sweetly like nothing had ever happened.

"Hey, stranger," she said, all sunshine. "Remember me?"

Emma's expression didn't waver. "I remember the girl who drugged me and shoved me into Caleb's bed. So... no, I don't recall ever calling that a friend."

Sophie didn't blink. "Still so dramatic."

"I call it telling the truth."

Sophie chuckled, not even pretending to be sorry. "Alright then. Want to hear a better truth? One I've never told anyone?"

Emma didn't answer, but something in her eyes said, Go on.

Sophie stepped closer. "Ever wonder why Caleb fell in love with me?"

Emma's jaw clenched.

"Because I told him I was the one who pulled him out of the fire."

She rolled up her sleeve, revealing a puckered scar on her forearm. "Self-inflicted. Third-degree burns. All to make it believable."

Emma stared in disbelief.

"I was there that night. I watched you drag him out of the car. You passed out before the paramedics arrived, so I stepped in. Took your moment. Took your credit. Stayed at his bedside until he woke up, and whispered it was all me."

Emma's heart thundered in her chest.

Sophie's smile widened. "I told him I'd loved him for years. That I'd always been there, waiting. And he believed me because he wanted to."

"You're disgusting," Emma whispered.

"You're just mad I played the game better."

Emma took a steady breath, holding back the rage bubbling in her chest.

"When did you tell him?" she asked quietly.

"The night he opened his eyes. When he was at his weakest. I gave him a story that made him feel loved. And you?" Sophie scoffed. "You were unconscious in the hallway. Timing is everything, sweetheart."

Emma's hands clenched into fists.

"I don't even think you love him," she said. "You love what he has. What his name means."

Sophie laughed, mockingly. "Isn't that what we all want? Comfort, status, power? You were born with it, Emma. You've never had to fight for anything."

"I had to fight for him," Emma snapped. "And I lost."

Sophie leaned closer, her voice cruel. "And you'll keep losing. Because now, even if you tell the truth, he won't believe you. You're just the wife he never wanted."

Emma's eyes glinted with something darker. "Keep telling yourself that. But I'm still his wife. You're just the mistress with a fake scar and a bag of lies."

Sophie's eyes narrowed.

And then, like flipping a switch ,her expression turned sweet again.

She suddenly screamed and staggered back, slamming her forehead into the wooden staircase railing. A sharp crack echoed through the hallway.

She collapsed, crying loudly, blood trickling from the wound.

Emma stared in disbelief.

"You really are insane," she muttered.

But Sophie was already wailing, loud enough to echo.

"Emma! How could you? You pushed me! What kind of mother are you?"

Right on cue, the front door slammed open.

Caleb.

His eyes widened as he saw Sophie on the floor, blood on her face.

He rushed forward, sweeping her into his arms. "Sophie! What happened?"

"She-" Sophie sobbed dramatically, clinging to him. "She pushed me, Caleb. I didn't even say anything, and she lost it!"

Emma stood at the top of the stairs, trembling with fury.

"I didn't touch her," she said. "She threw herself into the railing."

Caleb's eyes burned. "Do you think I'm an idiot?"

"You weren't even here."

"I heard her scream. And I see the blood, Emma!"

Emma's hands shook. "She's lying, and you know it."

Caleb's jaw tensed. "You don't get to make accusations anymore. Apologize to her. Now."

Emma's heart cracked all over again. "I'd rather swallow glass."

He stared at her like she was poison. "You're unbelievable. After everything you've done-"

She cut him off, voice shaking but firm. "What have I done, Caleb? Loved you? Trusted you? Carried your child while you built a life with her behind my back?"

"You tricked me into this marriage!"

"She tricked you into loving her," Emma shouted, finally breaking. "She's the liar. She's the one who stole everything from me and you're too blind to see it!"

Sophie whimpered, clinging tighter. "Please... can we just go?"

Caleb nodded. "Let's get out of here."

But as he turned, Sophie's foot suddenly snapped back, kicking hard into Emma's stomach.

Emma gasped, staggering.

Pain exploded in her abdomen.

Her knees gave out, and she collapsed to the floor, clutching her belly in agony.