Born For This

Chapter 004: The Request She Couldn't Grant

Kyle's lips parted slightly. "No. I'll do none of that."

Silence followed, and for a brief moment, it seemed as though Vivian had dropped the phone in shock.

"What did you just say?"

"I said no," Kyle repeated in a steady voice. "I'm not apologizing to no one."

There was a faint rustle at the other end of the call–then James' voice slipped in.

"It's alright, Kyle."

His tone was gentle and almost self-effacing.

"There's no need to make things any worse," he continued. "I really don't need an apology, and I don't want to come between you and Vivian."

Kyle's eyes darkened slightly. 

What an impressive performance, he thought.

Vivian, however, reacted exactly as expected.

"Do you hear that?" she snapped immediately. "Even James is understanding, and you're still acting like this?"

Her voice rose, laced with pure disbelief.

"Can you stop being so ridiculously jealous just for once? Must everything turn into a heck of a deal with you?"

Kyle let out a low chuckle.

Jealous? Was that what her tiny brain thought this was all about?

"I believe I've made my position clear," he said calmly. "You can insinuate whatever you want, Vivian. But I'm not apologizing for anything."

Vivian froze on the other end. 

For three years, Kyle had never spoken to her in this manner. He had never stood his ground or refused her outright.

When she finally spoke again, she did so with a bit of a softened voice.

"Kyle, don't be like this."

Kyle didn't respond.

"Look, I know you're upset," she continued in a measured voice. "But this isn't worth blowing things out of proportion."

Kyle still kept mute. Then she took a breath.

"Alright. Let's do this," she said slowly. "Come over to my company and apologize–just this once."

Kyle's gaze lowered slightly, his fingers tapping faintly against the table.

"And in return, I'll grant you one request," she added.

Now, that made him pause.

Dora's eyes flickered subtly, catching the shift.

"One request?" Kyle repeated.

"Yes," Vivian said quickly, sensing some reasoning. "Anything feasible. I'll agree to it."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Kyle's lips. "Anything?"

There was a brief hesitation.

"...Yes."

Kyle leaned back fully now, his gaze drifting toward the window. The city moved outside in quiet indifference.

"What if my request is for you to cut ties with James?"

The line went dead silent. Even the background voices seemed to disappear.

"What?" Vivian finally said.

"You heard me," Kyle repeated calmly. "That's it. Cut him off completely."

Another stretch of silence followed.

"That's not possible," Vivian finally said. All the softness in her voice was gone.

Kyle's eyes closed briefly.

"I see."

"You can ask for anything else," she said quickly. "Money, a position in my fast growing company, whatever you want. I'll give it to you."

Her tone sharpened slightly. "But not that. No, I won't."

Kyle let out a slow breath. For a fleeting second, something twisted painfully in his chest.

"Of course," he said quietly. "I understand."

"You do?" Vivian asked in a relaxed tone. "That's good. Now stop being stubborn and come over. Apologize to him and let's put this all behind us."

Kyle's grip tightened slightly around his phone. For a moment, he nearly put an end to the call right there.

Then a cold thought suddenly surfaced–one that Vivian would never see coming.

"Kyle?" Vivian pressed. "Are you still there?"

"Yeah," he replied. Then he paused before adding in a lowered voice, "I'll come over."

"Good. Don't keep us waiting."

Kyle ended the call and slowly lowered the phone. For a second, he didn't move. Then he let out a cold breath.

 

Across from him, Dora gently set down her cup.

"Well," she said in a light tone, "that was...interesting."

Kyle offered a faint, humorless smile. "You think so?"

He stood up then. "Change of plans."

Dora rose as well, smoothing out her blazer. "I assumed as much."

Kyle met her gaze. "I need divorce papers drafted as soon as possible."

Dora's expression didn't change, but something that seemed like approval flickered in her eyes.

"Understood," she said. "I'll have a legal team prepare everything within an hour."

"Splendid," he replied. "Now drive me to Vivian Group. I've got a nice surprise for her.”