Too Far for Longing

Chapter 2 Truth

　　Early morning, a coffee shop downtown.

　　Emily sat by the window, watching the endless flow of people outside. Every now and then, she glanced down at her phone to check the time.

　　The meeting time was getting closer... and her heartbeat was speeding up by the second.

　　"Been waiting long? You really couldn't wait to dig up the truth, huh?"

　　At the sound of that voice, Emily turned her head.

　　There she was—Luna, standing there in a beige suit, sleek brows, red lips, looking sharp and cold.

　　After three years apart, she felt more like a stranger now than an old friend.

　　"You're finally back." Emily's voice was shaky, betraying the nerves she couldn't hide.

　　Luna gave her a dismissive glance and slid smoothly into the seat.

　　"What's wrong? Thought I'd never come back? I was just biding my time—waiting for William to get over his heartbreak, waiting for him to finish making your life hell. And now I'm back to pick up the pieces."

　　"You—" Emily's eyes went red instantly.

　　She'd come here with so many questions… yet suddenly, none of them mattered.

　　This was someone she'd known for over twenty years. Before she arrived, she still half-hoped Luna had her reasons.

　　But that hope had just shattered into dust.

　　Emily clenched her fists tight, her voice trembling with anger. "You drugged me that night, didn't you? Then planted my ID at the scene so William would think I just stood there and watched Grace get taken without calling for help?"

　　"Yep." Luna didn't even blink.

　　Emily bit down hard on her lip. There was nothing left to say.

　　"Consider it a favor for old times' sake that I even told you the truth. I'm done here." Luna reached for her bag.

　　"Wait—just one more question!" Emily called out.

　　If Luna had done all this because she loved William and wanted Grace out of the way, fine. But there was one thing Emily really couldn't wrap her head around—

　　"What did I ever do to make you hate me this much? Why go through all that trouble to ruin me?"

　　Luna looked at the teary-eyed woman in front of her, lips curling into a smirk.

　　"Still the same clueless Emily. It's not always about some big reason. Sometimes, you're just unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."Emily couldn't believe what she was hearing. She gave a bitter laugh. "So this is how you repay someone who always treated you like a friend?"

　　"What are you really back for this time?"

　　There was no way she believed Luna had come all the way back from overseas just to confess the truth.

　　Luna's tone was ice-cold. "You've clung to William for three years. It's about time you let go."

　　Emily sneered, "Seriously, Luna, did you wake up confused? Even if I divorced William, it wouldn't be your turn. And just so you know, he's the one who refuses to sign the papers."

　　Luna's face went pale with rage. She stood up sharply and snapped, "Emily, just wait. Since you're asking for misery, I'll happily give it to you!"

　　After Luna stormed off, the fire in Emily's eyes dimmed. Her whole body felt like ice.

　　She needed to see William—right now. After all this time, she could finally tell him the truth, lay it all out.

　　For three years, she'd endured everything quietly, never revealing it was Luna who had set her up, just because she never had solid proof from Luna herself.

　　—

　　Carter Group.

　　Emily pushed open the door to William's office, nearly trembling from the rush of emotion—she was finally about to clear her name.

　　But the second she stepped inside and saw who was there, she froze.

　　Luna was sitting beside William, no sign of the arrogance from earlier—just playing the soft, sweet damsel routine.

　　"What are you doing here?" Emily frowned at her.

　　Before Luna could answer, William cut in with annoyance written all over his face. "What are you doing here?"

　　"William, it was Luna who framed me and caused Grace's death! Why are you siding with her?!"

　　"Unbelievable," he scoffed. "Luna came straight to me after she got back to beg me to forgive you, and this is how you treat her? Emily, how shameful can you get?"

　　The crushed look on Emily's face made it clear—her hopes had just turned into ash. Her chest burned with frustration, and she lost control.

　　"She tells you something and you instantly buy it? Do you even think for yourself? Serves you right for being played like a fool!"

　　Slap.

　　The sound echoed in the office. William lowered his hand.

　　"I've had enough of you. Get out."