Chapter 83

(Mike's POV).

"I want to work with you, Mike."

Ben's words hung in the air, sharp and unexpected. I glanced at him, standing there in a neatly pressed suit, looking every bit the picture of sincerity.

His face, usually marked with that arrogant edge I’d grown accustomed to, now appeared almost humble—if I could even believe that.

We had just returned to New York, and I had hoped for some quiet time with Emily, our son, and the normalcy we desperately craved after everything.

But life, especially when it involved Ben, never seemed to allow for peace. And here he was, standing in my office, acting like a changed man.

I had to admit, on the surface, he looked the part. He was well-groomed, composed, and not the reckless person who had caused so much damage to Emily in the past.

But people like Ben didn’t change overnight, and I wasn’t naive enough to forget everything that had happened between him and Emily. How could I?

"How can I trust your seriousness, Ben?" I asked, my voice low