enemiestolovers

'You're Mine Caramel and I'll win you at all costs that's my Golden Rule" Chase said aloud staring deep into her soul her beauty wasn't to be compared at all, he found interest in her the day he set his blue orbs on her. "He was my weakness and yet I was letting myself fall for him" Samantha Williams

what if jay was smart, rich and powerful. and what if Kiefer was her only match in her power?

In a world where humans and werewolves coexists peacefully, there’s a young human girl named Angel, who wants nothing more in life than to become a Nun of the holy church. But on the day of her Ordination, disaster strikes, and her already sad life takes a rocky turn down the hill… How would she survive this terrible fate??

"Luca, please…" she cried. "You need to see who the devil really is. And decide if you want me that way," he said. "Because this is who I am. You either accept it or reject it." Luca's hand reached for a knife from the array of tools spread meticulously on the desk. "I wanted to prolong his suffering…" he murmured. "Luca…" she whispered. "But since this is a show and tell…" Without a pause, he cut the rope holding Inferi's wrists, letting the man drop heavily to the floor with a thud that made the room shudder. Inferi's eyes, wide with terror, flicked to Vee as his body twisted weakly under the weight of his injuries. "This isn't one of those times when you ask me to let someone go, I am going to kill him right here." "You have two choices," he continued. "Walk away right now, and I will accept that you will never accept who I am. Or stay and watch me kill him, to prove to me that you accept all of me, that you want all of me." "God, please, Luca, don't do this." Behind Luca, Inferi struggled weakly on the floor. Luca looked only at her. "It's simple, Vee. I am giving you a choice. I don't have a gun to your head, now, do I? Are you ashamed of who I am, or do you accept who I am?" "It's not so simple!" Vee yelled. "You're asking me to stand here while you take a life." "I will count to ten." He gestured with the knife toward the steel door behind her. "There is the door. Here is me." "Jesus!" Vee bit down on her lower lip. She squeezed her eyes shut. "Jesus Christ!" "One…" "Two…" She stepped toward him. "Three…" "I'm not running." She moved closer. "I will not run. I will stay." "Four…" Vee drew in a shaky breath, steadying herself against the tidal wave inside her. "I meant what I said last night. I said I love you. I meant it. But don't subject me to this. It will not change how I feel about you. It won't." She stepped even closer, until the knife hovered inches from her hip. "But it will most definitely change me." She swallowed hard. "If you make me stand here and watch this, you are not testing my love. You are reshaping me into something I may never recognize again." Her hands came up slowly and pressed against his chest. "I love the man who protects. The man who terrifies everyone else but holds me like I matter." Her eyes glistened, but she did not look away. "I know what you are. I accept what you are. But do not ask me to become it." "Five…" Luca moved behind Inferi now, the knife hovering at his throat. Vee's feet rooted to the floor, the edge of Luca's jacket gripped tightly in her fists. Her eyes, brimming with tears locked onto his, daring him to see, really see, what she was becoming in his presence. "Six…" he continued. He held the knife steady against Inferi's skin, a cold, absolute line of judgment, waiting. And in that pause, Luca realized a part of him wanted her to run, desperately. He wanted her to bolt, to retreat from this room of blood and fear, because maybe, just maybe, if she ran, he would see the futility of the obsession clawing at him from the inside. "Seven…" he murmured. "Eight…" "Nine…" Synopsis: She insulted the devil. He decided to own her. Veronica Scalese walks into New York’s elite club, ‘Commissioned’ by accident—and mouths off to the wrong man; Luciano Genovese popularly known as ‘The Devil’. He grants favours but gets your soul in return. When Luca comes to collect a debt from her father, the payment demanded is flesh. Veronica becomes both Luca’s weakness and his obsession. He burns his empire to the ground to keep her. Undressed by the Mafia God is a mafia romance story where power is foreplay, love is a liability, and the most terrifying thing a god can do… is fall.

DO NOT READ NOW!! The author is currently working on a new novel. Grammar editing has been completed for Chapters 1–202 and Chapters 880–985. Chapters 203–799 have not yet been edited. The author will return in the future to finish editing the remaining chapters and continue writing it. Bei Yueyue was known for her selflessness and kind nature. Eventually, she found herself in a new life as 'Huang Ying Yue', a notorious female antagonist infamous for her cruelty, ruthlessness, debauchery, and nymphomaniacal tendencies in the very immortal novel she had just read. In the storyline, the original 'Huang Ying Yue' committed numerous atrocious acts that alienated many formidable characters. Not only the protagonist of the novel but also all her suitors suffered harassment and maltreatment at the hands of 'her' in various disturbing ways. The path to immortality was fraught with peril, brimming with dangers and unpredictable threats. Evil cultivators and monstrous entities wreaked havoc, compelling all cultivators to unite against these malevolent forces. As Yueyue sought to fulfill her aspirations, she faced an array of powerful adversaries previously wronged by 'Huang Ying Yue', as well as confront the consequences of her predecessor's misdeeds. In addition, she had to contend with the icy beauty of Huang Bai Xing, the heroine surrounded by numerous charming men and extraordinary fortunes. Gifted with extraordinary abilities from the heavens, Huang Bai Xing, through her golden finger, continuously grew in strength, patiently waiting for her chance to take revenge on 'Huang Ying Yue'. Those in positions of power, along with Huang Bai Xing's allies, brandished their weapons, determined to deliver a severe punishment for the pain 'she' caused to their beloved. Fortunately, with the aid of a miraculous Ethereal small world bestowed upon her, Yueyue could cultivate spiritual plants, reap spiritual fruits, harness abundant spiritual energy, leaning countless spells, and enjoy the cleansing waters of the spiritual waterfall, all while maintaining a semblance of tranquility on her journey to immortality. Accompanied by her loyal beast army, she ventured down the cultivation path, encountering new friendships, love, challenges, thrills, and a mysterious past, all while transforming her fate and those around her into a brighter future. Unbeknownst to her, her innate charm and warm-heartedness attracted an unending stream of romantic interests, forever altering her once mundane existence. Just when she believed she could finally escape the life of a mere cannon fodder, she stumbled into even greater mess! Why are there so many protagonists in this narrative? What are they staring at her for with those strange and enigmatic looks? Warning: 1VN ending, one female end up with many men. There are taboo love here Please kindly read the tags before you immerse yourself in my world. Cover from: Webnovel AI Generator Character Image: Pinterest, Credit goes to all original owner My Instagram Account: Littlecarrot006_ My DISCORD Username: littlecarrot6510 My second book: Myth Of Miracle: Reborn To Defy My Fate (Paused) #Portalspace #Reverseharem #Taboolove #Femaleleadxianxia #Xianxia #Np #Cultivation #Adventure #Immortality #polyandry #Manybeautifulmen #transmigrated #cannonfodder #Romance #Fighting #Beast #Multicontinents #Mysteriouspast #KindandgentleFLbutnotweak #Forgivebutnotforget #CleverFL

18+ Romance. [Heavy Smut starts after Chapter 40] EXCERPT: Alaric was too close to Nicolette. Her mouth was just inches away from his. He could smell the lavender on her skin, the heat radiating from within her. But he held back, refusing to be carried away by her charm… “Mr. Allens…” she purred, and he looked down at her. Her eyes widened with desire, and he knew, in that moment, that if he wanted to kiss her, she would let him. The last thing he wanted was commitment. He knew that Nicolette didn’t want that either. But why was she this tempting? So willing? It was that willingness that confused him. She blinked, then swallowed as she pulled the jacket off her shoulders. His eyes lingered on her exposed neck. God. He just wanted to bury his mouth in that hollow spot. “Here,” Nicolette said calmly, extending the jacket to him. He took the jacket, his hand brushing hers just a second. She flinched, her face turning pink as she clutched the towel against her chest. His stomach flipped at the sight. If only that towel would give way to… Before he could stop himself, Alaric pressed his arousal against her stomach, pushing her against the wall, cornering her. She gasped at the sudden movement and for a moment, he lost his mind. “Cole…” he breathed, crushing himself against her. Her eyes gleamed with desire and a vulnerability that rocked him to his core. He would be foolish not to give in to this feeling. But he would also be a fool if he did. She had chosen to marry him. Not her boyfriend. And definitely not Lucian Crawford. Yet, he couldn't help it. She was only his for a year. But still… *************** When her business and the gallery she inherited from her mother burn to the ground, Nicolette Voss is determined to rebuild—and get revenge on her father. She turned to her father’s rival, Alaric Allens, for an alliance. Alaric is willing to help, but on one condition—she must be his wife for a year. They called him Ruthless Alaric after an infamous incident 6 years ago. Alaric is back in town, and so are the crumbs of his past. But he is determined to change everything with a wife. He has his hidden agenda. She needs her revenge. But will this marriage between storm and steel survive the heat? And what will they do when deep secrets threatens to destroy them both?

“Kang Yuna, you’ll feel what it’s like to burn.” After tragically losing his mother in a fire, Kim Suho vows vengeance against the royal family, particularly Kang Yuna, whom he holds responsible. Desperate to escape the palace and its suffocating grip, as the royals ruthlessly suppress the truth, he struggles to break free from their control. In the midst of his turmoil, he crosses paths with Kim Hawoon, the formidable commander of the royal army. Recognizing Suho’s potential, Hawoon takes him under his wing, adopting and training him to harness his strength. “I will be your saviour. Let me train you… let me mould your magic in it’s full potential.” Fifteen years later, Suho resurfaces, now a skilled warrior, and assumes the role of Kang Yuna’s royal guard, his enemy, oblivious to his true identity. Not only that, to work beside her, he had to compete in the event Sword Raid. But as he plots his revenge, he uncovers the rotten core of the royal family, a reality far darker and more twisted than he ever imagined. “Whatever you’re after, you will never succeed.” “Whether, I succeed or not, it shouldn’t concern Her Highness.” Will vengeance consume him, or will the truth force him to reconsider his path? Can Suho face the consequences of his power? “It’s killing everyone. My magic… it’s killing them.” “It’s your fate… your existence… your very being to spread death. It’s what you really are, Suho.” Not only that, the great evil that’s on rise, Suho have to prepare himself to fight against it. To prepare for the battle that’s his very own doing. To prepare for the battle where he will lose his everything, his loved ones, his aim and the his own self. To prepare for the battle, that his sword had lead him to.

Ready for a messy ride? *** Ren has spent years surviving behind a mask. By night he is known as the most sought-after Omega companion at the Deluxe pleasure house: elegant, mysterious, and untouchable. Clients know his scent, his voice, and the cold charm he uses to keep the world at a safe distance. No one knows who Ren really is. The identity he shows the world is only half the truth, and the secret he protects is powerful enough to destroy the delicate balance between the mainland’s most influential families. Everything begins to unravel after one reckless night with Feng Lang—the volatile Alpha heir feared across the city. One punch. One scandal. One mistake that drags Ren directly into the orbit of four dangerous heirs who rule the underground racing scene and stand at the center of an approaching political storm. Among them is Zhen Long, the calculating mastermind preparing for a ruthless election battle, Shen Yichen, the quiet genius who never loses and Wang Ruiqing, the amiable heir who rejected his family’s empire for a life in law enforcement. While the powerful circle grows suspicious of the mysterious Omega who appeared out of nowhere, Ren struggles to keep his two identities from colliding. Because if the truth about him ever comes to light, it will not only destroy the life he built—it will unravel years of secrets, revenge, and power plays carefully hidden beneath the surface of the mainland’s elite society. And the most dangerous part? Ren may not even know the full truth about himself. In a world where power is everything and secrets are currency, one Omega’s hidden identity could bring an entire empire crashing down. ***

What if Jay Jay had a twin sister? What if Jay Jay’s family was broken, but they were on good terms? What if Jay Jay didn’t have blood trauma? What if the Twins knew Serina in the past? What if Kiefer didn’t make a revenge plan for the sake of his mother? This is a Jayfer fanfiction and I am not the real author. I respect the real author Lara Flores, so now let’s dive in!!

Viola was once the pride of her pack, destined to rise above everyone on the day she received her wolf. Instead, that day marked her fall. She had been the villain in countless stories, untouchable and adored by the Alpha heir, until the night her wolf was supposed to awaken, and fate played its cruelest joke. She fell to the lowest rank in her pack, rejected by her sworn mate. Stripped of status, strength, and even her wolf, she was forced to live a life worse than that of an omega. Imprisoned and alone, Viola’s only hope of escape lay in finding her wolf, or her fated mate. Only, a dark past kept her powers dormant… and her fated mate didn’t want her. Sebastian Kade is powerful, ruthless, and chained to a past he refuses to release. Viola Linden does not belong in his world, and he wants her gone. Fate, however, disagrees. This fragile, stubborn girl refuses to leave his orbit. He does not believe in love. He does not want her. He has already lost too much. An Alpha who swore off weakness, hardened by loss and haunted by a prophecy that feels more like a curse, Sebastian is certain he will never allow another woman into his life. But the Moon Goddess is rarely kind. Viola carries something ancient within her, something dangerous, something powerful enough to defy him. Hate twists into desire. Desire ignites into fierce passion. And passion threatens to become love. But when Sebastian discovers what Viola truly carries within her, will it save him… or destroy everything he’s built? ~~~ WARNING: MATURE CONTENT! #Slow burn #Spicy #Morally Gray ML #Adventure #Angst Discord server: https://discord.gg/VMM9DXw3yP

They say seven is the number of perfection. For Luna Seraphine, it was the number that ended her silence. Six times, she tore the divorce papers apart, choosing love over pride, endurance over dignity, surrendering to the cruel demands of the mate who never cherished her. The seventh time, she signed her name without trembling. Alpha Ravyn panicked. His mistress, Daisy, the daughter of Seraphine’s former nanny, laughed it off. She’s only throwing a tantrum, they said. She’ll crawl back. They were wrong. The truth shattered what little remained of her heart: the child she had loved and raised for six years was never hers. That revelation became her breaking point. This time, Luna Seraphine walked away without looking back. As her power rose, so did Ravyn’s regret. The Alpha who once discarded her now slept outside her door, desperate for a single glance. But the woman who opened that door was no longer the Luna he broke. Cold, untouchable, unforgiving. Ravyn fell to his knees, begging for her hand, only to realize he was no longer the only one. Men of influence and power now competed for her attention because Luna Seraphine was no longer just a Luna. She was a world-renowned business mogul, a shadowed philanthropist. The most sought-after surgeon of her time, and a cyber genius. Then, a powerful, cold Alpha, one infamous for hating women, just shook the entire werewolf world and the North American billionaire elite, the Sovereign Circle, with a single tweet. “Sera is mine. I’ll pluck out the eyes of anyone who dares to look at her.” The internet exploded. The pack world went silent, and Ravyn… lost his mind. But the real question is this, will he dare challenge the richest, most powerful Alpha in the world… for the ex-wife he let go?

Harlem Tamrin has never believed in love. Alone in Berlin, she trades affection for ambition and keeps her heart locked behind sharp words and colder walls. Independence is survival. Wealth is freedom. Men? Distractions. Until Ezra Roth. Heir. Playboy. Untouchable. The golden boy with everything, except her. She hates him. He wants her. Their collision pulls them into a world of Hollywood, fashion, fame, and power games where desire feels like war and love is the last thing either can afford. But when obsession burns hotter than reason, will they rise together, or be left in gilded ashes? Excerpt from book: Ezra leaned closer, his voice low enough to scorch. ‘Tell me to stop.’ Harlem’s breath hitched; annoyed at him, annoyed at herself, annoyed at the way her pulse betrayed her. She should’ve pushed him back. She should’ve laughed in his face. Instead, she whispered the one word that would ruin them both. ‘Don’t'.

His free hand strayed. They burned as they slid across my waist. And higher. Dangerously close to the under curve of my breast. “The thing with girls like you, Maisie, is that you think all you need to fix to be picked is your appearance. I don’t doubt that bedding you would make for great entertainment, but you’ll never be the type of woman men want to keep. The kind to be made Luna. You’re the kind that’s only good enough to be used and discarded, but never good enough to be chosen.” *** After getting rejected by her mate, Cole Hayes, the future Alpha of the pack, and nearly losing her life from the pain of it, Maisie Adams and her best friends concoct a fail safe plan to get back at him and save her from dying. Phase I: Get a make over and become the hottest thing in Ashfall. Phase II: Make out with a hot stranger. Phase III: Get a boyfriend, someone hotter, someone older, and lose your V-card. Phase IV: Get Cole Hayes to apologize. Phase V: Reject Cole Hayes. What they do not, however, account for is Cole Hayes falling for Maisie and being unable to let her go. Even worse, they sure as hell couldn’t have known Maisie would catch the attention of the four Lycan royals at the academy and accidentally bond with them!

[WARNING: MATURED CONTENT (R18)] Penelope Anderson, long past the age society deems “marriageable” and burdened by rumor, devotes herself to securing a perfect match for her younger sister after experiencing an unsuccessful courtship. Everything proceeds as planned until Lord Anthony Ravenport, a notorious rake she once met under scandalous circumstances, becomes her sister’s most promising suitor. Though Penelope knows he is dangerously unsuitable, his status makes him impossible to refuse. As tensions rise, so does an undeniable attraction between Penelope and Anthony, one that threatens to ruin not only her sister’s future, but the fragile reputation of their entire family. *** “Why do you despise me so much that you consider everything I do unworthy of your blessings!” he demanded, eyes bright with frustration and restrained fury. “Because you are unworthy of one!” she yelled back, her gaze holding the same frustration as his. “You’re unworthy to be a husband, unworthy of my sister, unworthy of love, unworthy of everything! Your presence is only making things worse for Franseca,” “And your presence isn’t?!” he spat back, his composure gradually dwindling as seconds passed. “Just because you think you’re better off unmarried doesn’t make her one. She shows interest in me as much as I do her!” “Oh, is that so?” She countered, mockery and disbelief laced in her tone. “I know men like you. And men like you thrive on pity and selfishness, believing women to be nothing else but breeders and assets! How dare you speak of interest when all you think of is what benefit my sister possesses!” “I know women like you,” he retorted, keeping his voice likewise. “Women whose conclusions are based on personal grudges. Women who are blinded by rage, envy, and jealousy, disguised under safety. Women whose hearts are hardened by grief and sorrow, and all they can think of is affecting other people’s lives!” “How dare you,” Penelope seethed, expression cold in fury and her gaze heated in cold rage. No one has ever talked to her the way he did, and it annoyed her to such an extent that she could barely recognize herself anymore. “Oh, are you pained?” he snorted, mockery plastered in his expression. They were so close, so improperly close that their breath fanned against each other, eyes brightened in rage, chest rising and falling from such pressure. But neither of them seemed to realize. “You are… insufferable!” She spat. “And you’re… aggravating!” he returned, hot breath matching hers, as their chest rose and fell in exasperation. For a moment, the world revolved around heated glares and venomous expressions. Finally, those pair of grey eyes left the storm of dark-brown ones, descending on her lips that were only an inch away. Sensing his diverted attention, her breath stuttered in response, eyes descending against those inviting lips in return. Penelope’s heart raced wildly, breath puffing furiously as she swallowed the lump down her throat, unconsciously wetting her lips. “S-Stay away… from my sister,” She said, words barely above a whisper. Her heart raced, echoing in her ears, causing her to feel dizzy. His eyes darkened as they remained on those inviting lips. “You’ll be the end of me,” he whispered back. And in the blink of an eye, his lips crashed against hers. *** PS: BASED ON HISTORICAL SETTINGS AND TIMELINE. #Slowburnromance #enemiestolovers A/N: There will be slow updates for now, until I conclude “Surrendered To The Lord Of Sin”. Although this is my entry for WSA 2026. Thank you for trying this out!

One minute he is Valentine Reynolds, the most honourable man and a true hero in his world, and the next minute he is the trash of another world. ‎ ‎Cast to the bottom of the food chain where shame was his daily bread and bullying his normal life, he struggled. How did this happen? HE TRANSMIGRATED. Wait... But how did he become the weakest demon in an academy where only the strong survived? An academy where only the most atrocious things happen! (Slavery, Pimping, Killing, Sedating, Torture, Rape, Sodomy). Sodomy? SODOMY??? What exactly about his past life was so wrong to be so heartlessly cursed with such severe punishment? Valentine Reynolds was highly HOMOPHOBIC!! ... But Val's predicament was nothing compared to the actual craft of this world. Here, you will see seven princes of hell wage war against themselves. Here, you will see the true nature of their abilities. Here, you will see them wrestle with other entities, weak or strong just to get to the throne. Here, you will see them mess with their weakness and prey on the weak. Here, you will see what happens in an academy where everyone is ruthless. Here, you get to see what it means for the Ruler of Hell to fall in love. Here, you get to see what happens when the one whom Hell bows to crumble his world to protect his heart. Here, you WILL see what happens when you mess with Hell himself. What? You want to see this happen? Then swipe open the chapters already! ------- NOTE: This book is slow paced. ~~~~ Releases on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesdays and Fridays. Mass Releases on Saturdays and Sundays.

Jasmine is the first daughter of the great Alpha Bale. Because of her status as a bastard child, she lives a life maltreated scrubbing floors and attending to the needs of her father, step mother, step siblings and the entire pack. But her life makes a drastic turn when she is switched in place for her father’s legitimate daughter to be married off to the Handsome and Cold hearted Alpha Xaden. Xaden is determined to punish Jasmine for the sins of her father who had massacred his entire family, even though she is nothing like her father. Hate slowly turns to desire, fierce passion and finally love. But what happens when Xaden discovers that Jasmine, was planted as a spy to bring his downfall and was not in fact the original princess he was promised to? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Let this be a lesson to everyone. Royal or not, Alpha or Omega," He declares. "You will steer clear of what is mine. In my own territory. In my pack." With that, he tosses the bloodied arm aside and takes Jasmine away from their shocked gaze.

✓ MASSIVE RELEASE ON THE LAST DAY OF EACH MONTH.✓ BLURB: “We are sorry Maria, we never meant to hurt you. Come back to us!" They all thundered. But it was too late, I was determined to make them Pay. *** I am Maria Moon, casted out of my Pack at the age of eighteen. All because of a tradition— one that states, that which ever family the Alpha's mate comes from, any other female wolf of same status is cast out. But it all felt wrong, It wasn't supposed to be me but her— my step sister— Patricia Moon. “I, Darren Copper, Alpha of the Frost moon pack, hereby declare that Maria Moon is no longer a member of this pack!” I pleaded for them to see the truth but no one cared, they were all blinded by their love for her. I became a rogue, wandered about for days and was unfortunate to attacked by the older rogues. And even more unfortunate to be saved by the quadruplet Alpha's, my Pack rival Alpha's. *** “Isn't she the Beta's daughter of Frost moon pack?" Damien growled as he turned to his brothers. “Definitely, she looks the same even after five years!" Adrien replied as he squatted, cupping my chin harshly on his palm. “She is definitely a spy, let's kill her!" Davian roared, stretching his claws, his stance ready to slaughter. “Don't Davian!" Aidan the oldest amongst the quadruplet echoed, “That’s all the more reason we should keep her close, letting her die is to easy.” He turned to the guards beside him, “Take her to the Pack, she is our Personal maid." Adrien chuckled lightly, a sly smirk appearing across his lips. “Nice idea Aidan. We would make her suffer!" CONTENT WARNING. This book contains explicit scenes, abuses, graphic violence and dark obsessive romance. Readers discretion advised.

Revenge is, by all means, one of the most guaranteed things to happen when a warlord with dragon blood in his veins and ether at his side is betrayed, poisoned, and reduced not to death but to decades of obliterating pain as his ether channels burn from his very soul. Only one remained. One channel, thin and fragile around his heart, survived long enough for him to endure, to wait, to plan, to manipulate, and, eventually, to return to the world with one clear purpose: to burn down the nation of the traitor who thought he had erased him for good. But then came a fortune teller at a street stall. And with the fortune teller came a dare Arik accepted for fun, a spread of cards drawn with no real expectation beyond momentary amusement. Instead, he found something far more dangerous than revenge waiting for him. His mate. A story of rebirth, revenge, enemies-to-allies-to-lovers, political ruin, ether, and the deeply unfortunate reality that the one person tied to Arik’s fate may be the very last person he should ever want. — Warnings, disclaimers, cries for help… call them whatever you want. This is the third book set in the same universe, but it can be read on its own. The world will be fully presented, so nobody needs to do homework before stepping into the chaos. For anyone curious, the first two books are: Bound by the Mark of Lies Shadow Unit Scandal: The Commander’s Omega This universe is ABO dragged directly into etherpunk, political fantasy, violence, bad coping mechanisms, and my ongoing inability to let powerful people make emotionally healthy decisions. There will be violence. There will be gore. There will be smut. There will also be vengeance, terrible restraint, worse impulses, emotional damage, and at least one man reacting to fate like it personally insulted his bloodline. Good luck.

"Block him." "He's technically still my boss." "Then block him with dignity." The call ended again. And then started again. I let out a sound somewhere between a growl and a sob, then finally answered with the enthusiasm of a snail crawling through salt. "Yes, Mr. Walton?" "Have you changed your mind yet?" I collapsed onto the towel and gazed at the sky as though it might consume me entirely if I pleaded sweetly enough. "Do you ever take a break?" I asked, shielding my eyes with one hand. "You're avoiding the question." "Because it's a dumb question." He exhaled, the sound sharp and irritated even over phone. "It's not a dumb question. It's a business offer." "It's a weird offer-one that I already said no to." There was a brief pause, and I could practically hear him clenching his jaw through the speaker. "You are acting unreasonably." " Unreasonable?" I sat up. "I'm not the one drafting fake girlfriend contracts like it's a normal Tuesday." "Isabella-" "Certainly not, Mr. Walton." I mimicked his tone perfectly. "I told you I'm not doing it. You need to find someone else to play pretend with." SYNOPSIS Isabella Miller thought saying no to her boss’s fake dating offer was the end of the story. But Adrien Walton doesn’t take no—especially not when he’s convinced she’s a gold digger. Suddenly, her student loans are piling up, her father’s vet clinic is on the brink of eviction and her brother is about to be kicked out of college. Coincidence? She thinks not. Adrien Walton is calm, calculating—and he's just pulled every string to corner Isabella into the perfect position. Now she’s stuck choosing between pride and survival. So she agrees to his offer: be his fake girlfriend. No feelings attached. No drama. Just business. Or so she thought. "Conference Room B. Fifteen minutes," he said, passing by without a glance. The folder he pushed across the table landed with a thud. I opened it. The contract. All of it. --- Enemies to lovers? Check. Slow burn? Hmmnyea. Banter so sharp it might file your nails? Yes. Delicious workplace tension? Of course. Tension that could melt steel?Absolutely. Smut?? Wanna find out? Welcome to corporate romance warfare. There’s no escaping this contract.