Chapter 8

<p>Rhett said, "Malachi, for old times' sake, could you help him out just this once? Please? Can you talk to Mr. Stevens and explain that it was all just a misunderstanding? Let him know it was just a business decision; it wasn't anything personal against Ivan.</p><p>"And about that key... you're mistaken about it. It's just an empty box with some old, worthless jewelry my mom left me. It's no use to you, so please, just give it back. I'm begging you."</p><p>An empty box? Worthless old jewelry?</p><p>I almost wanted to give her a round of applause for her quick thinking.</p><p>"Are you done?" I asked.</p><p>"Malachi, I'm begging you..." Her sobs grew even more pitiful.</p><p>I said, "First, Mr. Stevens and I barely know each other. I have zero reason or interest to stick my neck out for his people.</p><p>"Second, the key belongs to me. What I do with it is my call."</p><p>"Third," I paused, my voice turning cold, "Rhett, stop holding our history over my head. Ever since you made me sign, we're finished.</p><p>"Now, please, you and your so-called true love, keep your distance from my life.</p><p>"Is it so hard for us to just live our own lives?"</p><p>With that, I hung up before she could say another word and blocked her number again.</p><p>But I knew this wasn't the end.</p><p>Sure enough, just a couple of days later, Brandon, my assistant, came in with a weird look on his face.</p><p>"Mr. Fisher, the front desk says there's Mr. Rivera. He claims to be a friend of your ex-wife and wants to see you. He doesn't have an appointment, but he's refusing to leave. He says it's something urgent about Miss Bailey."</p><p>Ivan.</p><p>He actually had the guts to show up.</p><p>"Let him in," I said.</p><p>Let's see what new tricks this pair of star-crossed lovers is going to pull this time.</p><p>When Ivan walked in, he tried to keep up that polished demeanor he used to have, but the dark circles under his eyes and the restless tension between his brows gave him away.</p><p>"Malachi," he said, forcing a smile that was even uglier than crying.</p><p>"Mr. Rivera, what a surprise," I said, staying seated and pointing to the chair across from me. "Sit."</p><p>Ivan sat down, his hands on his knees, nervously rubbing them together. He was clearly restless.</p><p>"Malachi, I... I'm here to apologize for Rhett," he started, his voice rough, like he hadn't slept in days. "She was all over the place emotionally the other day and said some crazy stuff on the phone. Don't let it get to you."</p><p>"Mm." I nodded, keeping my face blank, just waiting to see what he'd come up with next.</p><p>"And about the project..." Ivan licked his lips, his eyes flickering with anxiety. "I know Rhett was thoughtless and ended up hurting you. But business is business, and personal feelings are separate.</p><p>"Whatever terms the other company offered, Evershine Tech can match, or even do better. I can try to negotiate with Mr. Stevens if needed..."</p><p>"No need," I cut him off. "The contract's already signed, and I've already paid the penalty fee. Mr. Rivera, in business, you have to honor your commitments."</p><p>Ivan's face went pale, and he forced a smile. "Yeah, yeah, trust is everything. But Malachi, you know how hard it was for me to get to where I am. This project is everything to me. Could you throw me a bone and talk to Mr. Webb? Maybe give us the project?"</p><p>Now he finally showed his true colors.</p><p>He wasn't after a partnership. He wanted me to give it up, no strings attached.</p><p>"Hand it over?" I repeated, and couldn't help but feel the irony.</p><p>"Yes." Ivan leaned in, like he was grabbing onto his last hope, his voice frantic. "Don't worry, I won't let you do it for free. I'll pay you off privately, a big sum, whatever you want, say the word.</p><p>"And about Rhett, I swear she'll never bother you again. I'll talk to her, we'll get married right away, leave town, and never show up in your life again.</p><p>"Malachi, take pity on me, will you?"</p><p>He was downright pleading now, not a trace of that swagger he used to have in my office.</p><p>I looked at him, the guy who used to be my unattainable dream, the one who always made me feel small. Now he was just a loser, tail between his legs, begging for scraps.</p><p>For his future, he could betray Rhett in a heartbeat, throw away their so-called "love" without a shred of hesitation.</p><p>How ridiculous. And how pathetic.</p><p>"Ivan," I called his name.</p><p>He looked up, his eyes practically shining with hope.</p><p>"Did Rhett know you were coming to see me?" I asked.</p><p>He froze for a second, his eyes flickering. "That... doesn't matter. I can handle it myself..."</p><p>"Oh." I nodded, grabbed the office phone, hit speaker, and dialed Rhett's newest number.</p><p>The phone rang a few times before Rhett answered, her voice suspicious. "Hello? Who is this?"</p><p>"It's me, Malachi," I said.</p><p>"Malachi?" Rhett's voice jumped, loaded with resentment and a barely hidden panic. "What do you want now? I'm telling you, I'm not handing over the key..."</p><p>"Ivan's right here with me," I cut her off.</p>