BOUND TO LOVE MY ENEMY

ANNA'

the ballroom, unable to

nt of my sister, holding out a diamond ring

voice carrying across the suddenl

The guests which included our family friends, business asso

't be ha

m striding across the polished floo

this?" My voice

shifting from adoration to annoyance in an

nd harsh. "When exactly would be the right t

ctive hand on Tyler's shoulder. "Mari

d. I helped you start your company. I paid off your family's debts. I sacrificed my reputation to be with you wh

e ring into his pocket. "

to you? Was it all just a way to

iet now, everyone watc

ler says stiffly. "

. "I saw you three days ago

fake concern, "you've been so busy with work. Tyler

eathe. My hand moves before I can think, sl

through t

ly two seconds before Tyler's hand connects

r touch her ag

k, staring at him in d

t my fi

I scream. "My sister who knew

the edge of the crowd. "Mom? Dad?

t not to defend me. "Marian

I asked "This is my bir

y mother says, her voice cold. "So

me. "Your blessing?

t their silence is

by our parents' sup

or me, but carrying just enough to be heard by those nearby. "T

ight of those families kept supporting us, me especially, unlike th

uttered, smirking" So soon, everything you ever held dea

owing horror. "I have done everything for the company.

r smile vicious. With a sudden shove, she pushed me, and I st

e ground, I saw a strange

ryone knows I've always been the smarter one. The beautiful one that s

s an intern. She followed me to meetings, stayed at my office to see how I operat

Everything she did first, I was beside her to guide and direct

er says, stepping forward. "

in tatters but still intact enough to

, some pitying, others carefu

of the hall "I'll just have to ha

arrived. My key card still worked, at least. I headed stra

ers and the eight families' representatives.

osed mentor, has the decency to look

pers spread across the table. "Wha

nce

ore," James Kostas finally said. "The board has vo

at gro

ds. Unauthorized transactions." He slided a fol

. Account numbers I recognized. Transactions I nev

lized aloud. "He had access t

cross a few face

d from the head of the table. "Clean

r from my lawyer" as I gathered the false evidence

an & Brooks, my personal attorneys. The rec

! We weren't e

John or Patrici

y're both out o

they leave

ago" she

id mechanically,

back to my car. Tyler gaining my trust. My

ce, then pulled away without explanation. My p

tray me. They orche

n in mind. It's only when I noticed the same black sedan made th

into an alley I know connects to a

raffic, earning angry honks

n, this one too fast. My car skidded, tires s

oyed, stunning

and stumbled out of the car, the b

as I heard a car door follo

loomed before me. I spun

wed as hand emerged from a coat

gu

gasped. "D

ce. Fire exploded in my abdomen. I looked down i

e figure cursed, retreating quick

sing my hands to the wound a

s. Through the haze, I saw someo

n't hear

ence this in my next life"