Emily stared at the headline until the words started blurring and my eyes started watering.I blinked, then read it again slowly this time to be sure of what I'm seeing.
Louis Carter, engaged to the Langford family's biological daughter.Her fingers tightened around her phone.
That wasn't possible.
She tapped the article open slowly.
The image loaded fast, first the background, then the figures, before their faces popped up.
Louis stood beside her sister. As if they've met before. They were close enough to look so comfortable and happy together, like they had already stood beside each other many times before that picture was taken.
Emily's breath caught in her throat.
"No…" she whispered, her voice shaking.
She tried dialing his contact immediately.
The call didn't go through.
She held the phone tightly to her ear as if expecting it to automatically start ringing.
She tried again and again, still not reachable.
Her heart beat louder than the sound.
Voicemail.
She pulled the phone away and stared at his name before pressing the call again.
This time she stood up without realizing it. Still Nothing.
"Please on your phone…" she murmured.
Same results.
Her chest tightened painfully. She tried one last time, still not willing to give up.
The call cut off before it fully disconnected.
Emily slowly lowered the phone still in disbelief.
For a few seconds she just stood there blankly looking into the space that doesn't feel like hers. Then her shoulders shook and tears rolled down her cheeks. She pressed her palm over her mouth to keep quiet, but uneven breaths still escaped.
She sat down heavily on the edge of the bed.
The only person she thought still had her back is no longer on her side anymore.
The room felt too small.
She forced herself to stand again and walked into the bathroom. The light was too bright and made her eyes ache. She splashed water onto her face once, then again, gripping the sink as she waited for her whole body to stop shaking.
It didn't stop immediately though.
She wiped her face with a towel and stared at her reflection on the mirror.
Her eyes were red and puffy because of the tear she's been shading.
She inhaled slowly and held it, then exhaled shakily.
"Just go downstairs," she whispered to herself hoping it would be a misunderstanding.
When she stepped into the hallway, the house felt normal and quiet. Like nothing was happening.
Halfway down the stairs she heard her parents' voices from the living room.
Her mother sounded worried. "The post went viral and people are already gossipping about it."
Her father answered in a calm voice. " Let them say whatever they want to say."
Emily paused briefly, with a sudden calm realization, that they've all planned it.
They both looked up when she entered.
"Emily… you're here," her mother said with fake concern, "why do your face look like that".
Emily looked at them faintly. "Nothing. I'm thirsty."
She walked into the kitchen instead of addressing the tension directly. She took a glass and filled it with water, but her hand trembled slightly and some spilled onto the counter.
She quickly wiped it with a tissue.
Her mother had followed her. "You should be resting now after all the stress of moving your things."
"I'm fine," Emily said softly.
Her father stood near the doorway, phone still in his hand.
The silence between them stretched.
Emily took a small sip of water, though her throat still felt tight and sour.
"Have you seen the headline," her mother said finally, unable to hold it in. "This is going to become very messy."
Emily looked at her with tired eyes. "It's fine."
"hope it doesn't affect you that much," her father murmured. "It's just jobless people talking about nothing much."
Emily set the glass down gently. "i said it's fine I have handled worse situations before."
Her parents exchanged a look of surprised by her calm tone but shrugged it off.
Her mother studied her for some time, hope you're good?"
Emily hesitated, then nodded once.
Neither of them spoke for a moment.
"You don't have to act strong," her father said quietly.
"I'm not acting," Emily replied. Her voice was hoarse but steady. "You both look more worried than I feel."
Her mother frowned slightly. "How can you be calm?"
Emily held the edge of the counter lightly to steady herself. "Because worrying tonight won't change tomorrow." she said with a hoarse voice.
Her mother's expression softened with guilt. "We didn't want you to find out like this."
"It already happened," Emily said gently.
"So you should rest."
Her father watched her closely, like he was trying to read something she wasn't saying. "…You're sure you're alright?"
Emily gave a small nod. "I will be."
The answer was quiet but certain enough that neither of them pressed further.
After a moment, her mother sighed. "you should go get some sleep. We'll deal with calls in the morning."
Her father finally put his phone down on the table. "Yes."
They walked toward the hallway, her mother pausing briefly beside Emily and touching her shoulder lightly with a gesture that felt almost unsure.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Emily replied.
They went upstairs.
The house became silent again.
Emily remained in the kitchen for a while, staring at the glass of water she hadn't finished. The ticking wall clock sounded unusually loud.
Her phone stayed in her hand.
Luis still hasn't called or checked up on her.
She walked slowly into the living room and sat down on the sofa. The cushions sank slightly beneath her weight.
Her chest still felt heavy, but the tears had stopped coming out she was waiting for Luis to call so she could confirm since her parents are unreliable.
Minutes passed quietly.
Then headlights flashed across the front windows.
Emily lifted her head.
A car engine shut off outside.
Her heart skipped once.
She stood.
The front door handle turned.
The door opened.
And Luis walked in.