**Chapter 17: Seeking Support**

As Emily sat in her hotel room, surrounded by the familiar comforts of her makeup case and styling tools, she couldn't shake off the feeling of suffocation that had been building up inside her. The days that followed her revelation about her pregnancy had been a blur of emotions, with Jon's behavior becoming increasingly erratic and controlling. She felt like she was losing herself in the process, like she was just a vessel for his child. The memories of Jon's constant questioning, his unannounced visits to her makeup appointments, and his multiple daily calls to check in on her still lingered in her mind. Emily had tried to brush it off as him being caring and supportive, but deep down, she knew it was something more. It was a suffocating grip that was slowly draining her of her sense of self. As she thought about her situation, Emily realized that she needed to talk to someone she trusted. She picked up her phone and dialed Rachel's number, her best friend from Texas. Rachel answered on the first ring, and Emily could hear the concern in her voice. "Hey, girl, what's going on?" Rachel asked. "You've been distant lately, and I'm starting to get worried." Emily took a deep breath and poured out her heart to Rachel, telling her everything about her pregnancy, Jon's behavior, and how she was feeling trapped and suffocated. Rachel listened attentively, making supportive noises and asking questions. "I'm so sorry, Emily," Rachel said when Emily finished talking. "You deserve so much better than this. You're strong and capable, and you don't have to go through this alone." Rachel encouraged Emily to reach out to her family, to tell them what was going on and to ask for their support. Emily's mom had always been a source of comfort and strength for her, and she knew that she could count on her to be there for her. As Emily talked to Rachel, she felt a weight lifting off her shoulders. For the first time in weeks, she felt like she wasn't alone, like she had someone who understood her and was there to support her. With Rachel's encouragement, Emily decided to reach out to her family. She called her mom and told her everything, from her relationship with Jon to her pregnancy. Her mom listened with a mix of shock, concern, and love, and Emily could hear the tears welling up in her voice. "Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry you're going through this," her mom said. "But you're not alone. We're here for you, and we'll support you no matter what. You need to take care of yourself and that baby, and we'll be here to help you every step of the way." Emily's mom told her to come home, to take a break from the chaos of her life in LA and to focus on her health and well-being. Emily knew that it was a good idea, but she was also scared about how Jon would react. As she talked to her mom, Emily felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she had a long road ahead of her, but she also knew that she wasn't alone. She had Rachel, her family, and her own inner strength to guide her through this difficult time. With a newfound sense of determination, Emily started to make plans for her future. She knew that she had to take control of her life, to prioritize her own needs and the needs of her unborn child. She was ready to face whatever challenges came her way, armed with her support system and her own inner strength. As she hung up the phone with her mom, Emily felt a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in a long time. She knew that she had a lot to deal with, but she was ready to face it head-on. She was ready to take back control of her life and to create a brighter future for herself and her child.