The Billionaire’s Ex-Wife

CHAPTER 9 — You Still Need Me

The rain started just before midnight.

Soft at first.

Then heavier… louder… relentless.

It traced long streaks down the glass windows of Evelyn Mahendra’s penthouse, blurring the city lights into shifting shadows.

Inside, everything was quiet.

Too quiet.

Evelyn stood barefoot on the polished floor, a glass of water untouched in her hand as she stared out into the storm.

Her reflection stared back at her.

Cold.

Composed.

Untouchable.

Just the way she needed to be.

A sharp vibration broke the silence.

Her phone.

She glanced at the screen.

Unknown number.

For a second, she didn’t move.

Then, slowly, she answered.

“Speak.”

There was a pause on the other end.

Then—

“You sound colder than I remember.”

Rafael.

Of course.

Evelyn didn’t even blink.

“If you called just to comment on my tone, I’m hanging up.”

“You’re busy?”

“No.”

“Good.”

A brief silence stretched between them.

Heavy.

Measured.

Rafael spoke again, his voice lower this time.

“Your northern suppliers just pulled out.”

Evelyn’s fingers tightened slightly around the glass.

But her face didn’t change.

“I’m aware.”

“Are you?” he asked, almost amused.

“Because from what I see… things are getting difficult for you.”

Evelyn let out a soft breath.

Then set the glass down on the table beside her.

“You seem very interested in my situation.”

“I am.”

No hesitation.

No denial.

Just like before.

Blunt.

Possessive.

Dangerously direct.

Evelyn turned slightly, leaning her shoulder against the wall.

“And why is that?”

Another pause.

Then—

“Because you’re making this harder than it needs to be.”

Her lips curved faintly.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

His voice sharpened.

“You know exactly what I want.”

Evelyn’s eyes darkened slightly.

“Do I?”

“Stop pretending,” Rafael said.

“I already gave you an option.”

Ah.

There it was again.

The same offer.

The same control.

The same arrogance.

Evelyn closed her eyes briefly.

Then opened them.

Clear.

Steady.

“You’re repeating yourself.”

“And you’re ignoring the solution.”

“No,” she said softly.

“I’m rejecting it.”

Silence.

Then—

A quiet chuckle.

Low.

Dangerous.

“You’re still stubborn.”

Evelyn didn’t respond.

Rafael continued.

“Let’s make this simple, Evelyn.”

Her name rolled off his tongue slowly.

Deliberately.

“As long as you refuse… I won’t stop.”

Her gaze sharpened.

“Is that a threat?”

“No.”

A pause.

Then—

“It’s a promise.”

The rain outside seemed louder now.

Heavier.

Like something building.

Evelyn exhaled quietly.

Then said—

“Then do what you want.”

And hung up.

Across the city—

Rafael lowered his phone slowly.

His expression was unreadable.

But his grip on the device tightened slightly.

“She hung up on you?” his assistant asked carefully.

Rafael didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he walked toward the window, staring out at the storm.

Then—

“Yes.”

The assistant hesitated.

“Should we proceed with the next step?”

Rafael’s eyes darkened.

“Of course.”

There was no hesitation this time.

“Cut off the secondary suppliers.”

“Even the ones outside our network?”

“Especially those.”

The assistant nodded quickly.

“And the banking connections?”

Rafael’s lips curved faintly.

“Delay them.”

“How long?”

“Just enough.”

The assistant understood immediately.

Not too much.

Not enough to destroy her completely.

Just enough to push her.

Corner her.

Force her.

“Understood.”

When the door closed, Rafael remained still.

Watching.

Waiting.

“Let’s see how long you last,” he murmured.

The next morning—

The atmosphere inside Mahendra Group headquarters shifted.

Subtle.

But noticeable.

People walked faster.

Talked quieter.

Looked… tense.

Evelyn stepped out of the elevator, her heels echoing softly as usual.

Calm.

Untouched.

As if nothing had changed.

But the moment she entered her office—

Her assistant was already waiting.

“Miss Mahendra, we have a situation.”

Evelyn placed her bag down.

“Go on.”

“The secondary suppliers—most of them just withdrew this morning.”

Silence.

“And?”

Her assistant swallowed.

“The banks are delaying approval for our logistics expansion.”

Evelyn nodded slowly.

“So he escalated.”

Her assistant blinked. “You already knew?”

Evelyn walked past her, taking a seat behind her desk.

“Yes.”

The calmness in her voice only made it more unsettling.

“What should we do?” the assistant asked.

Evelyn tapped her fingers lightly against the table.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Then—

“Nothing.”

The assistant froze.

“…Nothing?”

Evelyn looked up.

Her gaze was steady.

“We continue.”

“But—”

“Do you think this is the worst he can do?”

The question was soft.

But it carried weight.

Her assistant hesitated.

“No…”

“Then why panic now?”

Silence.

Evelyn leaned back slightly.

“Prepare alternative routes.”

“Already in progress.”

“Good.”

“And the banks?”

Evelyn’s lips curved slightly.

“Let them delay.”

The assistant frowned.

“But that could slow down our entire project.”

Evelyn tilted her head slightly.

“Or… it could expose something.”

The assistant blinked.

“What do you mean?”

Evelyn didn’t answer directly.

Instead, she said—

“Set up a meeting this afternoon.”

“With who?”

“Aurora Tech.”

The assistant’s eyes widened slightly.

“That’s… a bold move.”

Evelyn smiled faintly.

“I’m not here to play safe.”

Afternoon came quickly.

Too quickly.

The meeting room at Aurora Tech was sleek, modern… intimidating.

But Evelyn walked in as if she owned it.

Because in a way—

She did.

“Miss Mahendra.”

A man stood up to greet her.

Adrian Blake.

Tall.

Composed.

With a calm confidence that didn’t feel forced.

“Mr. Blake.”

Evelyn shook his hand briefly.

Professional.

Neutral.

But something about the air shifted.

Just slightly.

“Please, have a seat,” Adrian said.

Evelyn sat down, crossing her legs elegantly.

“I’ll be direct,” she said.

“I need a new supply chain.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

“That’s a big request.”

“I don’t make small ones.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

“I can see that.”

He leaned back slightly.

“And what do I get in return?”

Evelyn met his gaze.

Unflinching.

“Partnership.”

Adrian studied her for a moment.

Then—

“Knight Group won’t like that.”

Evelyn’s expression didn’t change.

“I’m not here to consider his feelings.”

Silence.

Then Adrian chuckled softly.

“I like you.”

Evelyn didn’t react.

“I’m not here to be liked.”

“I know,” he said.

“That’s what makes it interesting.”

There was a pause.

Then Adrian leaned forward.

“Alright.”

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“That was quick.”

“I don’t waste time.”

A beat.

“Besides…”

His gaze sharpened slightly.

“I’ve been waiting for you to make a move.”

Evelyn stilled.

Just slightly.

But enough.

“You expected this?”

“I expected you,” he corrected.

Silence.

Then Evelyn smiled faintly.

“Good.”

Later that evening—

News spread quickly.

Too quickly.

Mahendra Group and Aurora Tech—

Partnering.

Official.

Public.

And it didn’t take long…

For the news to reach Rafael Knight.

The glass in his hand shattered.

Sharp.

Sudden.

Dangerous.

His assistant flinched.

“Sir—”

“Say that again.”

“Mahendra Group has secured a partnership with Aurora Tech.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Deadly.

Rafael’s eyes darkened completely.

“Adrian Blake…”

The name came out low.

Controlled.

But barely.

“They moved fast,” the assistant added carefully.

Rafael let out a slow breath.

Then laughed.

Soft.

Cold.

“So that’s your answer.”

His fingers tightened.

Blood from the broken glass slowly dripped down his hand.

But he didn’t seem to notice.

“Interesting.”

Very interesting.

Instead of coming to him—

She chose someone else.

His jaw clenched.

Hard.

“Prepare the car.”

“Sir?”

“I’m going out.”

Night had fully fallen when Evelyn stepped out of Aurora Tech.

The deal was done.

Clean.

Efficient.

Exactly as she wanted.

She walked toward her car—

When suddenly—

A figure stepped out of the shadows.

Tall.

Familiar.

Dangerous.

Rafael.

Of course.

Evelyn stopped.

Just for a second.

Then continued walking.

As if he wasn’t even there.

That alone—

It was enough to snap something inside him.

“Evelyn.”

She didn’t stop.

He moved.

Fast.

Blocking her path.

“Move.”

Her voice was calm.

Flat.

Rafael didn’t.

Instead, his gaze locked onto hers.

Dark.

Storming.

“You replaced me.”

The accusation hung in the air.

Evelyn tilted her head slightly.

“I upgraded.”

The words hit harder than a slap.

Rafael’s jaw tightened instantly.

“You think he can protect you?”

“I don’t need protection.”

Silence.

Then—

“Clearly.”

His voice dropped.

“You needed him.”

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I chose him.”

Another hit.

Cleaner.

Sharper.

More deliberate.

Rafael stepped closer.

Too close.

“You’re testing me.”

Evelyn didn’t move.

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

His voice was low now.

Almost dangerous.

“And you’re starting to annoy me.”

Evelyn let out a quiet breath.

Then—

She smiled.

Not sweet.

Not soft.

But sharp.

Cold.

“And you’re starting to bore me.”

That—

That was the moment.

Something snapped.

Rafael’s hand shot forward—

Grabbing her arm.

Harder than before.

Rougher.

More force.

Evelyn’s body stilled.

But her eyes didn’t waver.

“Let go.”

“No.”

His grip tightened.

“You think you can just walk away? Replace me? Ignore me?”

His voice was no longer calm.

It was something else now.

Something unstable.

“You’re making a mistake.”

Evelyn looked at him.

Really looked at him.

Then—

She spoke.

Slowly.

Clearly.

“You’re the mistake.”

Silence.

Dead.

Heavy.

For a second—

Rafael didn’t move.

Didn’t breathe.

Didn’t react.

Then—

Evelyn twisted her arm.

Sharp.

Precise.

Breaking free from his grip.

Effortless.

Again.

She stepped back.

Creating distance.

Control.

Always control.

“I told you before,” she said quietly.

“You don’t get to touch me anymore.”

Her gaze locked onto his.

Cold.

Final.

“And you don’t get to control me either.”

Rafael’s chest rose slowly.

His breathing is heavier now.

Rougher.

But his eyes—

Never left hers.

“Then stop me.”

The words came out low.

Almost a challenge.

Evelyn tilted her head slightly.

A faint smile forms.

“Gladly.”

Then she turned—

And walked away.

Again.

Leaving him behind.

Again.

But this time—

Rafael didn’t feel the same.

This time—

It wasn’t just irritation.

Or anger.

Or curiosity.

It was something far worse.

Something deeper.

Something that twisted tighter with every step she took away from him.

He exhaled slowly.

His gaze dark.

Unstable.

Obsessive.

“You still need me, Evelyn…”

His voice was barely a whisper.

“But you just don’t know it yet.”

And this time—

He wasn’t planning to wait.