Too Far for Longing

Chapter 13 Unfortunate fate

　　"Ben, I need a minute with William. You should head home and get some rest. You've been looking after me non-stop these past few days—you're exhausted."

　　Benjamin relaxed his clenched fists and gave a faint nod, his face showing clear reluctance.

　　William glanced at Emily's pale face, and for a split second, guilt flickered in his eyes. But then, just as quickly, the image he couldn't forget flashed in his mind, and his face twisted in disgust as he glared at her. "There's nothing left to talk about."

　　Emily ignored his words, almost as if talking to herself. "I used to hope that one day you'd let go of all that hate and try to give me a chance... maybe even like me. But after Luna showed up, I finally woke up. I was just fooling myself."

　　She lifted her eyes to look at him. "You could fall for anyone... just not me."

　　There was something in her eyes—like she'd stopped fighting completely.

　　William's throat bobbed, the words stuck somewhere he couldn't reach. That look... it burned in a way he wasn't ready for.

　　It had him on edge, even more than seeing Emily and Ben being all couple-y.

　　Emily let out a quiet breath. "You didn't do anything wrong. Love isn't something you can force. And the truth is, those who are loved always think they can get away with anything. I gave you the power to hurt me, so I really don't have the right to blame you."

　　William couldn't stand her like this—so calm, so over it. It made him snap.

　　"Emily, what game are you playing now? Reverse psychology? Please. That doesn't work on me."

　　She gave a small, bitter smile. "Hate comes from love, William. But I don't hate you. And I'm done loving you too."

　　The past few days of relentless fever had trapped her in a nightmare—one that always circled back to this man.

　　But the moment she finally woke up, she saw it so clearly. Hating him wasn't right, either.

　　Because the opposite of love isn't hate. It's not loving at all.

　　If she didn't love him, then none of the pain he caused could cut her so deep.

　　If there's no love, then hate has nowhere to take root.

　　Her eyes were calm—completely unshaken.

　　William's smirk froze mid-air.

　　He'd always thought the control in their relationship was his. But in that moment, he realized... maybe not.

　　A surge of anger boiled up.

　　Why should Emily get the final say? Why does she get to walk away whenever she feels like it?

　　That's not how it's supposed to work. He should've had the last word—start to finish.

　　So he lashed out, just to spite her. Just to hurt.

　　"Don't act all noble now. Ever since Ben came back, you couldn't wait to get that divorce. You found your backup and now you just want to bounce, huh? You've always been the same—absolutely disgusting."

　　Emily's voice was low but furious. "William, I've always seen Ben as a brother. He's not a ‘backup.' You can insult me, you can doubt every word I say. But don't you dare cheapen what I once felt for you. Don't make me think loving you was the worst mistake I ever made."

　　"Let's get divorced. This toxic mess ends here."

　　She turned her face to the side, clearly not wanting to say anything else. She should've expected this—he only ever knew how to destroy her.

　　Toxic mess?!

　　The words hit William right in the chest.

　　"If it weren't for your scheming three years ago—killing Grace—I never would've married you! If this was some twisted fate, you brought it on yourself!"

　　His eyes were full of rage. He had to take back control.

　　"Emily, keep your ‘love' to yourself—it makes me sick. You're only right about one thing: even if there was no one else left in this world, I still wouldn't choose you."

　　Emily went even paler, her thin frame trembling like it might collapse.

　　"I came today to tell you—Luna's pregnant. It's time for you to leave the Carters for good."

　　William looked at her like she was beneath him. "These past three years, you were nothing but a stray dog I let crash at my house."