Chapter 112: If I Can't Have Her
Emma's POV
Luna's gaze sharpened. "That's a pretty dangerous thought, Emma."
I laughed, trying to sound lighthearted despite the nerves crawling under my skin. "Don't worry, I'm not hitting on you. Though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little in awe of you."
"Awe?" Luna repeated, her voice skeptical.
"You're brilliant, talented, gorgeous..." I met her eyes directly. "You're basically perfect to the point of being unreal. How do you do it?"
Luna studied me for a long moment. The intensity in her eyes made me want to squirm, like she could see right through me. Finally, she asked, "What if I told you I'm going to prevent your engagement to Gabriel? Would you still think I'm perfect then?"
Shit. I kept my expression neutral while my mind raced.
"Honestly?" I shrugged, deciding honesty—or at least part of it—was my best play. "I wasn't planning on actually marrying Gabriel anyway."
Luna's forehead creased. "I don't understand what you're saying. Didn't you tell me earlier that you wanted to get engaged to Gabriel because your family approved of him?"
I needed to be careful here. Too much truth was dangerous, but too many lies would tangle me up.
"It's... complicated," I said, buying time. "The family approval part is true, but..."
"Then why suddenly change your mind?" Luna pressed. "What's your angle, Emma? What does inserting yourself into this relationship do for you?"
I could feel sweat beading at the back of my neck. Luna was too damn perceptive. My original plan had been simple: position myself as Gabriel's family-approved match, effectively blocking him from pursuing Luna again. As long as I was the designated fiancée-in-waiting, both Luna and Julian could breathe easier.
But I'd underestimated her.
"I'm thinking of your career," I blurted out. The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "Your incredible talent at Legacy Media. If Gabriel is in your life again..."
"Gabriel would affect my work?" Luna's voice was incredulous. "That's your concern?"
I nodded emphatically. "I'm your career fan, Luna. I've followed everything you've created. Your storytelling is brilliant, and I'd hate to see that overshadowed by... well, by being 'Gabriel Ashford's girlfriend' again."
Luna's expression shifted from confusion to something like disbelief. "My career fan? That's why you're trying to keep Gabriel and me apart?"
"Partly," I admitted. "I just think you deserve to shine on your own terms. Your work should stand alone, not as an extension of the Ashford empire."
Luna stared at me like I'd grown a second head. "Emma, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
"Is it?" I challenged. "The industry talks, Luna. People already whisper that you got your position because of your history with Gabriel."
Luna's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Let me get this straight. You, as my self-proclaimed 'career fan,' think you know what's best for my professional life? Better than I do myself?"
I swallowed. Put that way, it did sound absurd.
"I value my career," Luna continued, her voice cool. "Probably more than you realize. But a 'career fan' doesn't get to dictate my personal life. That's... extreme. Almost pathological."
Her words stung, partly because there was truth in them. My fixation with Luna wasn't entirely healthy. If she wasn't going to be mine, she shouldn't belong to anyone—especially not Gabriel.
"I didn't mean—" I started.
"Ms. Gray?" A server appeared beside us. "Mr. Ashford has requested you join them for a photo."
Luna nodded to the server before turning back to me. "Emma, I appreciate that you admire my work. But don't use that as an excuse to interfere in my life. Whatever you think you're doing to 'help' me—stop it. Because it's not help. It's just damage disguised as concern."
With that parting shot, she followed the server toward the group gathering near the stage.
Fuck. FUCK.
As soon as Luna was out of earshot, I pulled out my phone and texted Julian:
SOS. I fucked up. Where are you?
Three minutes later, Julian slipped into the alcove, his face a mask of controlled irritation.
"What happened?" he demanded. "I saw Luna leave looking pissed."
"I think I showed my hand," I admitted. "She questioned my motives for getting between her and your brother."
Julian's jaw tightened. "And you said...?"
"That I was her 'career fan' and worried Gabriel would overshadow her work." I winced at my own words. "It sounded better in my head."
"You're an idiot," Julian said flatly. "This is what happens when you improvise."
"Oh, like you're so perfect?" I snapped. "At least I'm doing something besides sitting around and brooding like you."
Julian's eyes flashed. "I'm playing the long game, Emma. Something you clearly don't understand."
"The long game?" I laughed bitterly. "You mean watching your brother get back with Luna while you do absolutely nothing? Some strategy."
His fingers curled into fists at his sides. "You have no idea what I'm doing."
"I know you're weirdly hung up on your brother's ex," I countered. "It's not normal, Julian."
A muscle jumped in his jaw. "Says the girl who's obsessed with Luna Gray to the point of sabotage."
Touché. But I wasn't backing down.
"At least I don't drop thousands to buy off reporters," I said, watching his face. "About you paying to kill the story of Gabriel and Luna's reunion."
Julian went very still. "You should mind your own business."
"He thinks your feelings for Luna aren't exactly... brotherly," I pressed, watching for his reaction.
Julian's eyes darkened, but he kept his composure. "And what about your feelings for her, Emma? Are those 'sisterly'?"
I felt my cheeks burning. "That's not the point."
"No," Julian agreed, his voice dangerously soft. "The point is we both want the same thing: Luna Gray unattached to my brother."
I studied him. "So what do you propose we do now that I've blown my cover?"
Julian's lips curved into a calculating smile. "Convince your father, Christopher, to back me as the Ashford heir."
I blinked. "What?"
"Your father has influence with my grandfather," Julian explained. "Richard Ashford respects Christopher Coleman's opinion. If your father suggests me as a potential heir instead of Gabriel..."
"You're asking me to convince my father to support a palace coup in your family?" I shook my head. "You're insane."
"Am I?" Julian's eyes gleamed. "If I become the Ashford heir, I can ensure Luna never belongs to anyone else."
There was something off about Julian—something calculating and cold that hadn't been there when we first met. But then again, maybe I was just seeing the real Julian for the first time.
"You're fucked up," I told him bluntly.
Julian shrugged, unaffected. "We all are, in our ways. So, do we still have a deal?"
I should have walked away. Any sane person would have. But then, sanity wasn't exactly my strong suit where Luna Gray was concerned.
"Fine," I muttered. "But I still think you're setting a trap."
Julian's smile didn't reach his eyes. "That's probably wise."
As I watched him walk away, I couldn't shake the feeling I'd just made a deal with the devil. But if it kept Luna from falling back into Gabriel's arms... maybe it was worth it.