Chapter 18: Fractured Loyalties

Luna took a steadying breath, trying to calm the nervous flutter in her stomach, and pushed through the heavy revolving doors, stepping into the grand, opulent lobby of Blackwell Industries. The air smelled of polished wood, expensive cologne, and the subtle scent of power, the quiet hum of efficiency surrounding her as employees moved with purpose, their movements precise and practiced.

She approached the sleek, modern front desk, where a receptionist, impeccably dressed and poised, offered a polite but guarded smile, her eyes assessing Luna with a professional coolness.

"Good morning. Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked, her voice smooth and practiced.

Luna hesitated for a moment. Technically, she didn't have a scheduled appointment. But she wasn't leaving until she got what she came for, until she had spoken her piece, until she had confronted Killian. "I'm here to see Killian Blackwell," she stated, her voice firm and unwavering, trying to project an air of confidence she wasn't entirely feeling.

The receptionist's smile faltered for a split second, a flicker of surprise or recognition, but she recovered quickly, her professional mask slipping back into place. "Mr. Blackwell is currently in a meeting. May I know your name?" she asked, her tone polite but firm.

"Luna. Luna Aldridge," she replied, stating her full name, emphasizing her identity.

Recognition flashed in the woman's eyes, a brief moment of surprise before she regained her composure. So she knew who Luna was. Of course, she did. Killian's past—and present—was a topic of hushed gossip, whispered speculation, and covert glances among those who worked for him, the details of his life a source of endless fascination.

"Please wait here for a moment," the receptionist said, her tone professional, before making a call. 

Luna exhaled, glancing around. The modern, sleek interior was designed to impress. High ceilings, dark marble, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcased a panoramic view of the city. It was Killian's world—unshakable, controlled, and built to keep emotions at bay.

Just as she turned back to the desk, a familiar voice cut through the air. "Well, well. Look who decided to visit."

Luna froze. The voice was smooth, teasing, and entirely too familiar. She turned slowly, her pulse quickening as she met the piercing gaze of Elijah Carter.

It had been years since she last saw him, yet he looked almost exactly the same. Sharp suit, careless smirk, and eyes that missed nothing. If anything, he seemed even more self-assured now, the years only adding to his charisma.

"Elijah," she said, keeping her voice neutral.

His smirk deepened. "Luna Aldridge. Or should I say, Luna Blackwell?"

Her jaw tensed. "Don't start."

He chuckled, but there was an edge to his amusement, a subtle bite to his words. "I wouldn't dare. But I have to admit, I'm surprised. Didn't think you'd willingly set foot in Blackwell Industries again. Especially after everything."

Luna kept her expression impassive. "I'm here for Killian."

"Of course, you are." His smirk wavered, replaced by something colder. "What is it this time? More unfinished business? Or did you realize walking away from a fortune wasn't such a wise decision?"

Her spine stiffened at the veiled accusation. "I don't want anything from Killian."

"Is that so?" Elijah's gaze darkened as he studied her. "Because from where I stand, you walked into his life once, tore through it, and now here you are again—showing up like a ghost from the past. So forgive me if I find it a little hard to believe you're here out of the goodness of your heart."

Luna clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm. "I don't owe you an explanation." 

She felt a surge of complex and conflicting emotions rise within her, a confusing mix of anger, hurt, and a strange sense of bewilderment. Elijah was never this openly hostile towards her before. They were never close, but they had never harbored any animosity towards each other either. What was going on here? What had Killian told him? What version of the past was Elijah clinging to?

Elijah gave a slow nod, though his expression remained unreadable, his eyes still narrowed in suspicion. "No, you don't owe me an explanation," he conceded, his voice slightly softer, but the underlying tension remained palpable. "But you should know this, Luna—Killian might have, for whatever reason, let you back into his orbit, might have allowed you to re-enter his life, but I haven't forgotten the past. I saw what you did to him, Luna. I watched him turn into someone else, colder, harder, more ruthless, all because of you, because of the pain you inflicted. And I won't let it happen again, I won't stand by and watch you hurt him a second time," he declared, his voice firm, his tone a clear warning.

The accusation sliced through her, a sharp, painful blow, but she refused to let him see the extent of the hurt, refusing to show any weakness. "Believe what you want, Elijah. But I didn't come back to hurt him, I have no intention of causing him any pain," she replied, her voice steady, her gaze unwavering, her words a promise.

"Then why did you come back, Luna? What is your purpose here?" His voice was quieter now, the initial hostility replaced by something dangerously close to resentment, a deep-seated bitterness that spoke volumes about the pain he believed she had caused Killian. "Because the last time you left, you didn't just walk away, you vanished, it nearly destroyed him, it shattered him, leaving him to pick up the pieces alone. And if you're planning to do it again, if you're thinking of breaking him again, you should turn around and walk out that door right now, before it's too late, before you cause any more damage," he warned, his voice low and dangerous.

So that's it, Luna realized, a wave of understanding washing over her. He thought she was that woman, the woman who suddenly walks out from the life of Killian Blackwell, leaving him to suffer alone, abandoning him without explanation, and now she was back, resurfacing as a gold digger, a threat to his well-being.

Luna swallowed hard, her throat tightening with a mixture of anger and a strange, unexpected sadness. She had no intention of hurting Killian again, she had no desire to cause him any more pain, but explaining that to Elijah, trying to reason with him, was pointless. He had already made up his mind about her long ago, his perception of her clouded by his loyalty to Killian and his own interpretation of the past.

Before she could say another word, before she could even attempt to defend herself, the receptionist, her voice polite and professional, called out, interrupting the tense standoff. "Mrs. Blackwell, Mr. Blackwell will see you now."

Luna's stomach twisted at the sound of the title, the formal address adding another layer of complexity to the already charged atmosphere. She was about to just ignore it, to dismiss the formality, giving Elijah a complicated look, a look that conveyed a mixture of frustration, resignation, and a hint of defiance.