Double Deception

Chapter 12: A Fragile Proposal

"Does Dr. Reiss know about Emma?" I asked.

Her lips parted slightly. "She knows everything that matters."

"That's not an answer."

"She's helping me manage it," Emily said quickly, eyes darting toward the window. "Emma's... quiet lately."

The way she said it — cautious, as if afraid Emma might hear her — made my stomach knot.

"She's quiet," I repeated. "That doesn't mean she's gone."

Emily looked up sharply. "Do you want her to be gone?"

The question caught me off guard. "What kind of question is that?"

"You keep talking about her like she's real," Emily said, her voice rising. "You act like she's some person who's out to get us. But she's not. She's me."

I met her gaze. "You told me once she was everything you couldn't be. Maybe now she's everything you can't control."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't cry. "That's why I'm doing this. The therapy, the counseling — all of it. I can't live like this anymore. And I don't want you to live in fear of me."

Her sincerity was disarming. And yet, beneath it, something flickered — a faint smirk that came and went too quickly to be certain it existed.

The Ghost Between Us

I moved to the window, staring out at the city below. My reflection ghosted over the glass, faint but visible.

For an instant, I saw her reflection beside mine — not Emily's, but the same blurred figure from the recording. Long hair, faint smile, tilting her head just slightly toward me.

I blinked, and she was gone.

When I turned back, Emily was watching me. "You saw something," she said quietly.

I didn't answer.

"Please," she whispered. "Let's fix this before it gets worse."

I almost laughed. "You think therapy is going to fix a ghost, Emily?"

Her eyes darkened. "She's not a ghost."

For a heartbeat, her voice shifted — lower, smoother, a tone I knew too well.

And just as quickly, it was gone.

Marcus Weighs In

That evening, I called Marcus. He answered on the first ring, like he'd been expecting it.

"She came by," I said.

"I figured," he replied. "You sound like someone who's been hit by a train full of emotions and bad decisions."

"She wants to try therapy," I said. "With Dr. Reiss."

He let out a low whistle. "The same Dr. Reiss who was supposed to help her before everything went to hell?"

"Yeah."

"And you're considering it?"

I hesitated. "I don't know. She seemed... genuine."

"She's also the best liar you've ever met," Marcus said. "You told me she changes when she talks about this stuff. What if you're not talking to her at all?"

"I thought the same thing," I admitted. "But she looked terrified. Like she's fighting something she doesn't understand."

"Or something she doesn't want to stop," Marcus muttered.

There was a pause, then his tone shifted. "Listen, man. I'm not saying don't help her. But don't do it alone. Promise me that."

"I'm not sure I have a choice anymore," I said quietly.