Marrying my enemy

A VE

before-his whispered threat, his piercing stare-still unshakable. I shoved it down, locking it behind the same walls I'd used to k

promised authority I couldn't afford to lose. I inspected my reflection, smoothing m

dining table, one hand wrapped around a mug, the other lazily scrolling through his phone. His shirt was open at the collar, revealing just enough

y eyes lingered too long, drawn to the tousled perfection of his hair

n't lo

heading?" I said, my questio

ore they met mine with a detached coolness. "Does it matter?" he asked,

nsult. He was playing it like last night meant nothing,

arms. "I suppose the Rael from las

ember." He leaned back, the chair creaking under his weight, and took a me

led into something colder. "You reminded me of someone el

grip tightened on the strap of my purse, nails digging into the leather. A call girl?

osed to hurt me, Rael? Because it doesn't." I tilted my chin up, meeting his gaze with unfl

unreadable. "Take it however you like,

my heels clicking against the floor as I stormed toward the door. Fury

challenge thrown back at him. He might think he'd won this

stimated me. Th

-

ugh her calm demeanor suggested she'd wield it as a weapon if necessary. I barely had time to gather myself before the whispers began-sharp, cutt

-hitting questions today," she said. "They'll try to corner you, especially

trap of my purse, forcing a

, like, 'How do you respond to the allegations regarding the company's missing funds?' You'll need to deny everything with conviction. Keep your answe

racing myself against the m

so you'll need to counter with evidence of your achievements. Be assertive, but tread carefully-confidence without arrogance." She adjusted her glasses, her tone turning steelier. "An

steadied me. I turned to her

table. Every chair was occupied by a board member, their focus sharp and predatory. Albert sat at the hea

sat, the as

explain how millions of dollars have myste

ch disappearance, Albert. The allegations are baseless. Every financial

furrowed in mock concern. "And yet, under your father's leadership, we never faced scandals

ealed. "The media thrives on sensationalism. It's not the f

You've been accused of funneling money from your father's charity initia

face as I kept my tone level. "I absolutely did not. Every cent raised

ng me to falter. "After all, you were in charge of several key

mug nod. "Seems like an ea

y composure. "The records aren't missing," I said, my words clipped but steady. "They're u

Hill-a pragmatic voice amidst the chaos

about how we handle this crisis as a company. The public doesn't care about Albert's vendetta or who wins this little power play. They care a

tering for the first time. Even Step

Laura's right. Our priority should be addressing this head-on and presenting a unit

r once, he remained silent. Emery, standing n

over. They were circling, waiting for the next op

ut, Laura approached me. Her heels clicked against the marble fl

"You did well today. Don't let t

r motive, but her words felt genuine. I offered her

, and walked away. I watched her retreating figure, suspicion flicker

indigo, I was running on fumes. The whirlwind of the day had drained me, but as I gat

'd be

-

like a heavy shroud. It wasn't the soothing quiet of peace but the stifling kind. My heels clicked

ng. The sound grew louder with each step, and t

ng, as my body tensed. The direction o

ave some other woman in his bed, flaunting his infidelity like a badge of ho

thout so much as a glance, the sound of her voice-a gasp, a name, maybe his name-chasing me like a ghost. My pace quickened, and wh

wouldn't leave me alone-his touch from last night, so soft, so deceptive. The way he'd murmured my name, carrying a tenderness

her moans echoing down the

d as my emotions simmered to a slow boil. How dare he? How dare he touch me with those ha

he could humiliate me. He thought he could keep me caged, cornered, and beneath him.

on. My phone sat nearby, a tempting distraction from the turmoil churning inside me. I grabbed it, scrolling aimlessly t

arbs under my skin, festering with each passing second. A bitter smile tugged

ted little game, I'd play the part-for now. But one day, I'd remind him who really held th

believe he was untouchable. Th

the real puppet master was in t