CHAPTER SIXTEEN - A LIE WITH CONSEQUENCES

Emma collapsed onto Claire's couch, her mind reeling from Sarah's call. Victoria's pregnancy claim hit her like a punch to the gut, reopening wounds she thought were starting to heal. "I can't believe this is happening," Emma whispered, burying her face in her hands. Claire sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her sister's shoulders. "We don't know if it's true yet, Em. Let's not jump to conclusions." Emma's phone buzzed incessantly. Marcus's name flashed on the screen, accompanied by a flood of text messages. "He's trying to reach me," Emma said, her voice hollow. "I can't... I can't deal with this right now." Claire gently took the phone from Emma's trembling hands. "I'll handle it. You just breathe, okay?" As Claire stepped into the kitchen to respond to Marcus, Emma's thoughts spiraled. The possibility of a baby - Marcus's baby with Victoria - threatened to shatter the fragile peace she'd been building. Meanwhile, across town, Marcus paced his apartment, panic etched acros