Chapter 10
1056 Words
Maya stared at her phone long after the call ended.
Her chest felt tight.
Heavy.
William watched her carefully from across the apartment, tension written all over his face.
“What did he say?”
Maya looked up slowly.
“He wants to see me.”
William’s expression immediately sharpened with desperate hope.
That alone made her feel sick.
“You’re not actually expecting me to go, are you?” she asked quietly.
William hesitated.
Just for a second.
But she saw it.
And that hurt more than any answer.
Where did everything go wrong? They used to be so happy together! Now he is here telling her to meet another man.
“Maya…” He exhaled heavily. “Maybe you should at least hear him out.”
A hollow laugh escaped her lips.
“Unbelievable.”
“He might help us.”
“Us?” she repeated bitterly. “Or you?”
William rubbed his face tiredly.
“You think I’m proud of this?”
“No,” Maya whispered. “I think you’re terrified.”
Silence.
Because it was true.
William’s company was collapsing.
Investors were pulling out.
Debt collectors were calling daily.
And now Edward—rich, powerful Edward—was the only person standing between them and ruin.
William stepped closer carefully.
“I know you hate him.”
Maya’s jaw tightened.
Hate.
If only it were that simple.
The truth was worse.
A part of her still reacted to Edward.
Still remembered him.
Still felt weak around him.
And she hated herself for it.
William lowered his voice. “Just talk to him.”
Maya looked away.
That was exactly what scared her.
—
The next day
Atlast Innovation looked even more intimidating at night.
The city lights reflected against the massive glass building as Maya stepped out of the elevator.
Her pulse hammered violently.
She shouldn’t be here.
Every instinct told her to leave.
But before she could turn around, the office doors opened.
Edward stood inside, sleeves rolled slightly up his forearms, a glass of whiskey resting in his hand.
His tie was gone.
The sight somehow felt more dangerous than the suit.
His eyes settled on her immediately.
“You came.”
Maya hated the effect those two words had on her.
“I almost didn’t.”
A faint smirk touched his lips.
“But you did.”
He walked toward her slowly.
That same controlled confidence.
Like he already knew exactly how this night would end.
Maya forced herself not to step back.
“You enjoy this, don’t you?” she asked coldly.
Edward stopped in front of her.
“Enjoy what?”
“Watching us suffer.”
Something dark flickered across his face.
“You think I suffered any less?”
The question caught her off guard.
For a moment, real emotion slipped through the cracks in his calm expression.
Pain.
Anger.
Years of it.
Then it disappeared again.
Edward turned away and poured another glass of whiskey.
“You spoke to your husband,” he said.
“Yes.”
“And?”
Maya crossed her arms tightly.
“He admitted everything.”
Edward nodded once, unsurprised.
“He’s desperate.”
“That still doesn’t excuse it.”
“No.” Edward took a sip slowly. “It doesn’t.”
Silence stretched between them.
The city lights glowed behind him, casting shadows across his face.
Maya suddenly remembered nights from years ago—
Edward working late jobs.
Edward skipping meals so she could eat.
Edward promising her he’d become someone worthy of her.
Her chest tightened painfully.
“What happened to you?” she asked softly before she could stop herself.
Edward’s gaze lifted toward her.
Cold again.
“You happened.”
The words landed hard.
Maya looked away first.
Because guilt was dangerous around a man like him.
Edward set the glass down carefully.
“Do you know what I learned after you left me?”
She stayed silent.
“That love is useless without power.”
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
“And now you have power,” Maya whispered.
“No.” He stepped closer slowly. “Now I have enough power to never lose again.”
Her heartbeat quickened.
There it was again.
That intensity.
That terrifying obsession hiding beneath his calm exterior.
Maya swallowed hard.
“What exactly do you want from me, Edward?”
His eyes lowered briefly to her lips before returning to her gaze.
“You already know.”
“No.” She shook her head quickly. “Say it.”
A long silence filled the office.
Then—
“I want you back.”
The air left her lungs.
Edward continued watching her carefully.
“I can save your husband’s company tonight,” he said quietly. “Every debt. Every problem. Gone.”
Maya’s fingers curled tightly at her sides.
“And the price?”
His gaze darkened.
“You stay with me.”
Her breath caught.
“No.”
“Think carefully before answering.”
“You’re insane.”
“Maybe.” He didn’t even deny it. “But you still came here.”
Maya immediately stepped back.
“This isn’t love, Edward.”
Something dangerous flashed across his face.
“No,” he agreed softly. “It stopped being love the day you chose another man.”
Fear slowly crawled up Maya’s spine.
Not because he raised his voice.
Because he didn’t.
Everything about Edward felt controlled.
Calculated.
Like he had spent four years building this exact moment.
Maya opened her bag and took out the resignation letter and dropped it on the big desk and turned toward the door immediately.
“I’m leaving.”
But Edward’s next words stopped her cold.
“If you walk away tonight,” he said calmly, “William loses everything by morning.”
Maya froze.
Slowly—
painfully—
She turned back toward him.
Edward met her gaze steadily.
Then he reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a document.
A contract.
He placed it on the table between them.
Maya’s stomach dropped when she saw the title.
MARRIAGE AGREEMENT.
Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
“You can’t be serious.”
Edward slid a pen toward her.
“Oh, Maya,” he said softly.
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
- Writer
