CHAPTER 10 — Say It Again
821 Words
The atmosphere shifted the second Rafael walked in.
What had been a controlled negotiation turned volatile, the kind of tension no contract could contain.
His gaze went straight to Adrian.
“Cole.”
Low. Controlled. A warning wrapped in a single word.
Adrian didn’t rush. He rose at his own pace, composed, as if the interruption carried no weight.
“Knight.”
No challenge in his tone. That calm only made it worse.
Because Rafael recognized it—the confidence of someone who didn’t need to prove anything.
I remained seated.
Unmoved.
Exactly where I wanted them.
“Mr. Knight,” I said, lifting my gaze to him, “you’re interrupting.”
The boundary was clear.
His eyes flicked to me, and something shifted—brief, sharp, unfamiliar.
“You’re meeting him.”
Not a question.
“Yes.”
No explanation.
Across the table, Adrian watched with quiet interest.
Rafael stepped closer, bringing pressure with him. “You didn’t inform me.”
I raised a brow. “I don’t recall needing your permission.”
A faint chuckle escaped Adrian.
A mistake.
Alexander’s gaze snapped toward him. “This doesn’t concern you.”
Adrian met it easily. “It does now.”
The tension tightened, silent but undeniable.
“Gentlemen,” I cut in, voice calm but firm, “if you’re finished, we can return to business.”
Both looked at me.
That alone was enough.
Adrian inclined his head. “Of course.”
Rafael didn’t move.
His attention returned to me. “You’re working with him?”
“Yes.”
The word landed without hesitation.
His expression darkened. “You’re not partnering with him.”
I held his gaze. “Watch me.”
That did it.
Something in the room shifted—subtle, but irreversible.
Adrian leaned back slightly, interest sharpening.
Rafael stepped closer. “Evelyn—”
“Miss Hayes.”
The correction cut clean.
Not just a name.
Distance.
He stilled, just for a moment.
“You’re making a mistake.”
I met his eyes. “No. I already made that mistake.”
His jaw tightened. “You don’t mean that.”
“I do.”
No anger. No softness. Just truth.
“I chose you once,” I added. “That was enough.”
Silence followed.
Heavy. Unavoidable.
Adrian’s expression changed, something deeper replacing casual interest. This was no longer just business.
“Miss Hayes,” he said smoothly, “shall we continue elsewhere?”
“Yes.”
I closed the file and stood.
Decision made.
“Evelyn.”
Rafael’s voice stopped me near the door.
I paused, then turned slightly—just enough.
“You think he’s better than me?”
The question lingered.
Adrian said nothing.
He was watching now.
So was Rafael.
I let the silence stretch, then smiled faintly.
“If you want the truth?”
A beat.
“Yes.”
The word was soft.
But it landed like a fracture.
For a split second, something broke through Rafael’s control.
That was enough.
I turned and walked out.
Adrian followed without hesitation.
The door closed behind us.
---
Inside, Rafael didn’t move.
Not immediately.
The room felt different now—quieter, but sharper.
“Sir…” Daniel stepped forward carefully.
Rafael’s gaze remained on the door.
“Find out everything about Adrian Cole.”
Cold. Precise.
“And pull every deal connected to him.”
Daniel hesitated. “Sir, that could affect—”
“I’m aware.”
A pause.
“Do it anyway.”
No room for argument.
Because this wasn’t a strategy anymore.
It was personal.
---
Outside, the car moved smoothly through traffic.
Adrian glanced at me. “You knew he’d react.”
“I expected it.”
“And you still pushed him.”
I looked ahead. “Some people only understand loss when it’s irreversible.”
He studied me for a moment, then smiled faintly. “You’re dangerous.”
“Only when necessary.”
Silence settled.
But not empty—measured.
Then—
“Which raises a question,” Adrian said lightly. “Are you using me… or is this partnership real?”
I turned to him.
“Does it matter?”
His smile widened slightly. “It does to me.”
Before I could answer—
My phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
One message.
“He’s reopening your past. Should I stop him?”
My expression didn’t change.
But my fingers paused.
So—
Rafael had started digging.
Faster than expected.
I typed a reply.
“No.”
A brief pause.
Then—
“Let him find it.”
I locked the screen and looked back out the window.
Adrian was still watching me.
Curious now.
Interested.
He had no idea.
Neither of them did.
Because the truth Rafael was about to uncover—
Wasn’t just about who I was.
It was about what I had done.
And once he saw it—
There would be no turning back.
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