He looked up at me — for the first time in all these years, without superiority. In his eyes, fear, fury, and a desperate search for any escape collided.

He looked at me from the floor up. For the first time in all these yearsno arrogance. His eyes were darting about, full of fear, anger, and a desperate attempt to find a way out. He used to be able to corner me in moments like this. But nowhe couldnt.

What do you want? he repeated, quieter. Money? Just name your price. Ill sort it all out. We can work something out.

I let a short pause hang in the air. Not a dramatic onea professional kind. Like the silence just before you close out the annual report and sign off for good.

You still dont get it, Richard, I said calmly. I dont want your money.

He blinked. That unsettled him more than any yelling ever could.

Thenwhat? Revenge? You want to ruin me? His voice shot up again.

No. I just want back what belongs to me. And to put an end to this.

I stood up, walked over to the cupboard, and pulled out a slim folder. Grey, unmarked. The same one that was always buried at the very bottombeneath old contracts and tax returns. Hed never bothered opening it. To him, they were Annas boring accounting nonsense.

I placed the folder on the table and opened it up.

Here, I pointed at the first page, are the loan contracts. Theyre personal. You borrowed thousands from the business. In your name. Just for a bit, as you liked to say.

I turned a page.

Here are the reconciliation slips. All your liabilities are acknowledged.

Another page.

And heres the supplementary agreement. If you drain assets on your own, the debt becomes immediately payable.

He went pale, so much so that the freckles across his nosewhich I once found cutestood out painfully.

You you forged these, didnt you?

No, I shook my head. You signed them. Different dates. Different moods. Sometimes drunk. Sometimes rushing to one of your meetings that started after nine in the evening.

He jumped up.

This is blackmail!

This is accounting, Richard, I looked him straight in the eye. Youve never understood the difference.

He started pacing round the kitchen, running a hand through his hair.

Sarah she knew nothing about this… This is all you! You planned it!

Sarah knew enough, I replied. She knew you were nearly free and that almost everythings transferred. That was plenty for her.

I sat down again. This timefacing him.

You have a choice, I went on. First option: we take it to court. The gift gets deemed invalid. Then come the auditsHMRC, the Crown Prosecutor. Your reputation. Your fresh start. All of itwiped out.

And the second option? he whispered.

The seconds easier. We sign an agreement. You walk away from the business voluntarily. Transfer your stake to me. No scandal.

He laughed. Briefly, a bit hysterically.

So you think Ill be left with nothing?

No, I answered honestly. Ill leave you exactly what you offered mea car. And time to pack your things.

He stared at me for ages. In that look, there was everything: hatred, attempts at pity, and memories of when we started out in a tiny office with an ancient PC.

I loved you he whispered.

I didnt look away.

I loved a person. Not a scheme. Not a traitor. That persons been gone for a long time.

He sank into the chair. Not for showbut genuinely.

Give me some time to think

Youve got twenty-four hours, I said. Tomorrow at ten, the solicitor will be here.

He nodded. Slowly. Drained.

Next day, he showed up right on time. Face hollow, eyes red. Sarah didnt call. Or she didhe didnt answer.

He signed the papers in silence. His hand shook.

When it was over, the solicitor left and we were alone.

You won, he said, his voice flat.

No, I replied. I just got out of a game Id been playing solo for far too long.

He grabbed his keys and paused near the entryway.

I always thought you were weak

I smiled, just a little.

That was your biggest mistake.

The door shut quietly behind him. No slam.

Six months later, the business was thriving. I changed up the team, scrapped all the dodgy tricks, organised everything properly. The company became cleanerand stronger.

Richard tried to start over. Word is, he didnt get far. Sarah left quicklywithout the money, she wasnt interested anymore.

Sometimes, Id see his name crop up in the news. Each time less, each time quieter.

I deleted the Backup folder. Didnt need it anymore.

Sometimes, the best revenge isnt a blow.

Its a precise, cold calculation made long before the final move.