Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 57 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 57

Chapter 8 

Marcus sent the final agreement to Eric’s email three days ago. Radio silence. 

Friday afternoon, my phone rang. Marcus. 

“Diana, he lawyered up. They want a meeting.” 

“Fine.” 

“Monday, two PM, my office.” 

“I’ll be there.” 

Monday afternoon. Marcus and I took the left side of the conference table. 

Eric and his lawyer sat across from us. 

Dark suit. Clean shave. But his shirt collar was crooked-top button fastened wrong. 

I used to fix that before he left for work. 

There was this piece of paper on the table in front of him. Folded twice. Edges all wrinkled like he’d been opening it and closing it over and over. 

His hand stayed pressed flat on top of it. Never once picked it up. 

Assistant came in with tea. White cups. Steam curling up. 

His lawyer-some guy named Goldman. 

“My client opposes the divorce. There’s no evidence of irreconcilable breakdown.” 

“This isn’t a communication problem.” 

Eric jumped in. “Just hear him out.” 

I looked right at him. 

“Go ahead then.” 

He hesitated. 

46.6% 

Molte and So Did My Love! 

Chapter 8 

His fingers traced the edge of that paper like he was gonna open it. 

Didn’t. 

“Okay look-the password stuff, yeah, I messed up. But it’s just… it’s a dumb habit thing, right? Not worth ending everything over. I changed it all. Whatever you need-seriously, whatever-we can work something out.” 

The paper under his hand was starting to show a damp mark from his palm. 

Marcus shot me a look. 

“Eric. First year I brought it up, you told me I was being paranoid. Second year you literally said ‘it’s just a password, get over it.’ Third year you ditched my birthday to go to HERS and said I was making a scene. Three years. Three separate times. You never gave a single shit.” 

His jaw locked up tight. 

“Well I give a shit NOW.” 

“Yeah. Now. Too bad it’s too late.” 

Goldman cleared his throat all official-like. 

“Regarding the division of assets-” 

“I don’t want anything.” 

Marcus flipped a page. 

“My client is waiving all property claims. She just wants this done fast and clean.” 

Eric’s eyebrows shot up. 

“Wait-you’re seriously walking away with nothing?” 

“Yup.” 

“Why?” 

“Because that house? Nothing in it was ever for me. I don’t want a single thing that came from there.” 

Dead silence for a solid five seconds. 

I glanced down at his tea. 

No steam anymore. Surface totally still. He hadn’t touched it. 

15:57 

Mr. Chatterbox for Her, Mr. Iceberg for Me? Ice Melts, and So Did My Love! 

16.89% 

Chapter 8 

I used to sit at that table waiting for him with dinner going cold-six PM to eleven PM-reheating soup over and over. 

Nobody was gonna bring him a fresh cup now. 

Eric’s whole face went rigid. 

I told you already. I’m not signing.” 

He turned and locked eyes with me. 

Just come back for a while, okay? Move back in. We can figure this out step by step- 

You had THREE YEARS and couldn’t change ONE password. Now you want me to wait around AGAIN? What’s gonna be different in another three years?” 

Nothing. He had nothing. 

I pulled a manila folder out of my bag and slid it across the table. 

Marcus opened it and laid out the pages one by one. 

Seven pieces of evidence. 

Lock codes. WiFi name. Ring engraved with her name. Stack of postcards. Restaurant review from her account. 

Screenshot of her mom’s text. And that photo from move-in day-lock screen showing 0521. 

All lined up. Chronological order. 

Eric went through them slowly. 

When he hit the photo of the ring, his hand completely froze. 

Page six-he looked up at me. 

The photo quality wasn’t great. Lock screen was kinda overexposed. But those four numbers were sharp as hell. 

He stared at it forever. 

“When… when did you take this?” 

“First day I moved in.” 

“Why?” 

“Because that day? I actually thought I was home.” 

Chapter 8 

Nobody spoke. 

“Three years living there, mostly what I did was keep my mouth shut and deal with it. When I finally stopped dealing? Turns out proof was everywhere.” 

That folded paper stayed glued under his hand the entire time. 

Never opened it once. 

Goldman scanned everything, leaned over, whispered something in Eric’s ear. 

Eric’s face went white. 

“I need time to think.” 

Marcus snapped the folder shut. 

“Offer’s good for thirty days. After that we’re filing in court.” 

I stood up. Had to walk past his side to leave. 

That tea sitting in front of him was ice cold by now. Condensation dripping down the sides. 

Eric’s voice came out of nowhere. 

“Diana.” 

I stopped. 

“Page six. The one with 0521. You said… you thought you were home.” 

“Yeah.” 

“And then what happened?” 

“You walked over and reset it.” 

His Adam’s apple jerked. 

I walked out. 

Marcus caught up in the hallway. “He’s gonna sign.” 

Hit the elevator button. 

“Yeah. I know.” 

18:57 

Mr Chatterbox for Her Mr Jeabor for M 

and 

لصيد 

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Chapter 8 

Doors slid open. 

I stepped inside and caught my reflection in the polished walls. 

Stone-cold calm. 

Same face I wore sitting at that dinner table three years waiting for him to show up. 

Only difference? 

This time I’m not the one left waiting. 

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