Forsaking the Years of Longing

Chapter 23 A week before returning to New York, I was contacted by an old acquaintance. Emily.

It had been a long time since I'd heard from her. It was rare for her to want to meet, and her excuse this time was intriguing: she claimed to know one of my secrets.

Well, I couldn't pass up the chance to find out what "secret" she was talking about.

We arranged to meet at a café, and when she arrived, I almost didn't recognize her.

In just a few months, she had lost all the arrogance and self-assuredness she had when she falsely accused me. Even her once-beautiful face had withered; she looked gaunt and worn, as though life had taken a heavy toll on her. Yet, the hatred and resentment in her eyes when she saw me hadn't changed one bit.

"So, what's this 'secret' of mine you claim to know? Even I'm curious."

I smiled as I asked her, but Emily didn't seem in any hurry.

She ordered two cups of coffee and pushed a cappuccino toward me.

"No rush. Let's chat a bit first. I heard you don't like your coffee too bitter."

Raising an eyebrow, I nodded.

I stirred the coffee, letting the spoon clink softly against the cup, adding two cubes of cream before stirring again, the sound of metal against porcelain echoing lightly.

"Caroline, you've really made name for yourself now. But let's be honest-you only turned the tables on me back then because of your family background." She paused, her voice thick with bitterness. "If you were still just that ordinary little secretary, I wouldn't have lost to you."

Seeing the dissatisfaction on her

face, I nodded, acknowledging her

élinet

words. "But there are no 'ifs' in life-only Reality. And the reality is, when it comes to work ability, outshine you. When it comes to family background, I crush you."

"So what now? Heaven made me, Caroline, the full package.

Jealous, are you? Well, maybe you shouldn't have acted out in the first place. Everything you're suffering now-you deserve it."

"Shut up!" Emily suddenly erupted,

her voice breaking into a shrill

scream. "Jason and I were meant to be together! We even had a marriage arrangement! You're the one who got in the way, you cheap slut! it weren't for you, I'd already be Mrs. Parker, and the Wood family would have had strong support! How could things have fallen apart like this?!"

Watching her hysteria, her face twisted with madness, I calmly took another sip of coffee. Realizing she wasn't going to say anything meaningful, I stood up, intending to leave.

But just as I brushed past her, she smiled slyly and said, "You're not going anywhere."

Before I could react, my body collapsed back into the chair. My mind went blank, and even my vision began to blur. Using the last of my strength, I questioned her: "What.. what did you put in my coffee?!"

"Sleeping drugs, you idiot!"

I passed out completely, but Emily remained seated, slowly savoring her coffee.

"Caroline, so what if you've risen to the top? I ruined you once, and I can ruin you again."

She took another sip of her coffee, smacking her lips in confusion. "Why does this taste so sweet?"

"Because that's my cup, you idiot," came my voice from behind her, the one cup of coffee she hadn't touched still in my hand.

Her face froze as she slowly realized her mistake.