Forsaking the Years of Longing novel Chapter 142

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 a 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."