Falling For His Nemesis

LYNETTE'S POVI stood still, staring at the door Nicholas had just walked out through, tears streaming down my face.I cried for a few minutes.Then I suddenly wiped my face and walked out of the bedroom.‘He doesn't get to decide that.’“Nicholas?” I called out as I walked down the hallway.I searched everywhere inside the house, but he was nowhere to be found.I went to look outside, maybe he stepped out for some air, he wasn't there either.Then it hit me.“He left,” I let out a cold laugh, “he fucking left.”I put my hand on my forehead, still laughing humorlessly. “I came home early to have a special evening with my husband, and what did I get?” I said to no one.“An open marriage, and now… I'm left all alone.”I breathed out shakily, clenching my fists at my sides, then I walked back into the house. My eyes landed on the small shopping bag I had come home with.“Looks like I won't be needing this afterall, Gab.” I whispered. The house felt so empty, and it reeked of Nicholas

BRADFORD'S POVThe shock on Lynette’s face was unmistakable. Her face turned pale and her warm brown eyes widened.She seemed to have recognised me even before I introduced myself. From magazines maybe, given that she's a fashion designer. She was staring at me like she saw something that wasn't real. For a moment, I thought she was going to run. I found her reaction amusing, which was rare for me, but I tried not to smile. And then I almost forgot why I came. Because she looked amazingly beautiful in daylight. I hadn’t really seen her last night due to the dim lights, her impatience, and all.The late afternoon sun caught her fair skin and made it luminous. She looked exhausted from working, yet she still glowed. Her hair was put into a neat bun that hadn't dared move out of place. I don't know how she managed to look breathtaking in such a simple outfit.I stood there longer than I should have, staring at her, forgetting I had an arm stretched out until it started to ache.“Um…my

BRADFORD'S POVThree weeks laterLate morning sunlight spilled across my office, turning the glass walls into mirrors of the skyline outside. From up here, the city looked calm. But calm wasn’t the word for what had been happening inside my head.I stood near the window with one hand in my pocket, the other holding a small white business card between my fingers.The only piece of Lynette I had managed to hold on to.Well… that and the memories of that night that stuck with me.I turned the card slowly between my fingers.It's been three weeks since I last saw her. Since she stormed out of the café like I had personally offended her existence. I called, texted, even sent emails, something I only use for businesses. Yet they were all ignored. I sent flowers to her office, but they were returned the same day. I even went to see her at her office, more than once.Each time, her assistant would greet me with the same polite, practiced smile. “I’m sorry, sir, Ms. Evans isn’t in today.”I

LYNETTE'S POV“What? Did you just say King…King Atelier?” I asked in disbelief.She nodded eagerly.“Yes. Bradford King’s company.” She said, grinning widely.I took a step back and put my hand to my temple “Oh. my. God.”“I know, right?” She squealed, “It's unbelievable. King Atelier wants to hire us for a collaboration!”Then she started pacing and gesturing with her hands as she talked excitedly.“I mean, I don’t even understand why. They always work with top designers,” her eyes widened slightly, “big names Lynette. The kind that have entire fashion houses behind them. But who cares why?”She laughed breathlessly. “This is amazing! I can’t believe I might actually get to work with them. It’s like a dream come true.”Then she suddenly stopped and looked at me with expectations in her eyes.“So what should I do? Should I start drafting our response?”I stared at her, still trying to process everything at once. Her voice sounded distant, like it was coming from somewhere far.She did

LYNETTE'S POV Nicholas turned slowly…too slowly, as if he was scared to look back, his fists clenched at his sides. His mother’s voice filled the room again. “I’m good, dear. How are you two lovebirds doing?” she asked in her usual teasing tone. Before I knew it, Nicholas moved very fast and closed the space between us in seconds. His hand shot out, trying to grab the phone, but I stepped back just in time, holding it slightly above my head. His eyes were wild now, jaw clenched so tightly it looked painful. “Hang up now,” he whispered harshly, giving me a deadly look. “Lynette…hang up.” His voice was tight with a hint of desperation in it. “Lynette, are you there?” his mother’s voice came again, warm and completely oblivious. My smile widened mischievously. I held Nicholas’s gaze for one more second. Then I lifted the phone back close to my mouth. “We're doing just great, Martha,” I said lightly. “I just wanted to say hi. Nicholas sends his regards, too.” Then I e