chapter3

Marry My Enemy

I stood beside the open car door, staring at the man sitting inside.

Lucian Blackwood.

I had seen his pictures in business magazines.

I had heard Julian curse his name during countless arguments.

But nothing had prepared me for seeing him in person.

He was more intimidating than I had imagined.

His black suit fit him perfectly, his dark hair was neatly styled, and his sharp features gave him an expression that was almost impossible to read.

But it was his eyes that caught my attention.

Cold.

Focused.

As if he could see every thought I was trying to hide.

"Are you getting in?" he asked.

His voice was calm.

I stepped inside.

The door closed behind me.

For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.

The car began moving.

I looked out the window and watched my home disappear behind us.

My old life was still standing there.

But I wasn't going back.

"Why did you agree to come?" Lucian asked.

I turned toward him.

"You were the one who said you wanted to talk."

"I did."

He looked at me.

"But I didn't expect you to actually call me."

"I didn't expect to call you either."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"Yet here you are."

I looked away.

"I need your help."

"I know."

I frowned.

"You know?"

"You wouldn't have called me on your wedding anniversary if you were looking for a friendly conversation."

I remained silent.

He was right.

I took a deep breath.

"I want to divorce Julian."

"That part is obvious."

"I also want to make sure he regrets it."

Lucian's expression didn't change.

"Regret what?"

"Leaving me."

His eyes remained on mine.

"And how do you intend to do that?"

I hesitated.

Then I said,

"By marrying you."

The car became completely silent.

Lucian stared at me.

Then, unexpectedly, he laughed.

I narrowed my eyes.

"What's funny?"

"You."

"Me?"

"You're asking the most dangerous man your husband knows to marry you because you're angry."

"I'm not angry."

His eyebrow lifted.

"No?"

"No."

I looked directly into his eyes.

"I'm hurt."

For the first time, his expression softened.

Only slightly.

But I noticed.

"I won't lie," I continued. "Part of me wants Julian to see me with you. I want him to understand that losing me was his choice."

"And the other part?"

I swallowed.

"I want to stop feeling like the woman he threw away."

Lucian didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he turned toward the window.

"Do you know what people will say if you marry me?"

"I don't care."

"They'll say you're using me."

"Maybe I am."

His gaze returned to me.

"They'll say I'm using you."

"Maybe you are."

His eyes narrowed.

"And if I am?"

I held his stare.

"Then we'll both get what we want."

A slow smile appeared on his face.

It wasn't warm.

It was dangerous.

"You've thought about this."

"I've had an entire twenty minutes."

That made him laugh again.

This time, I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

The sound surprised me.

I hadn't smiled since I heard Julian's voice behind that door.

Lucian noticed.

His gaze stayed on my face for a second longer than necessary.

Then he looked away.

"What exactly are you offering me?"

"A marriage."

"That's not an answer."

"I'll become your wife."

"And in return?"

"You get access to Julian's world."

His expression changed.

Now I had his full attention.

"You've been listening to your husband more carefully than I thought."

"I was his wife for three years."

"And you know his business?"

"More than he thinks."

Lucian leaned back.

"Interesting."

I watched him carefully.

"Are you interested?"

"Perhaps."

"Then say yes."

"You're very confident."

"I don't have anything left to lose."

His eyes darkened.

"That's where you're wrong."

I frowned.

"What?"

"You still have yourself to lose."

I didn't understand what he meant.

Before I could ask, he continued.

"If you marry me, your life will change."

"It already has."

"You'll become Mrs. Blackwood."

"I know."

"People will watch you."

"I know."

"Your husband will hate you."

"He already doesn't love me."

"That's not what I meant."

I stayed quiet.

Lucian leaned slightly toward me.

"Julian West will not accept losing you to me."

A strange feeling moved through my chest.

"Good."

His eyes remained fixed on mine.

"You're certain?"

"Yes."

"Even if he tries to destroy your reputation?"

"Yes."

"Even if Vanessa attacks you?"

I hesitated.

Then nodded.

"Yes."

He studied me for several seconds.

Then he reached into his jacket and pulled out a business card.

He placed it between us.

"My lawyer will prepare the marriage contract."

I stared at the card.

My heart began beating faster.

"You said yes?"

"I said I'll consider it."

I frowned.

"That's not what you said."

A faint smile appeared.

"I don't make decisions because someone asks me to."

I leaned back.

"Fine."

I picked up the card.

"Then I'll give you a reason to say yes."

He watched me.

"What reason?"

"Because marrying me will be the best revenge you can take on Julian."

His expression became unreadable.

I continued.

"And because I think you want this more than you're admitting."

Silence.

His jaw tightened.

I had touched something.

But I didn't know what.

Finally, he said,

"Tomorrow morning."

"What?"

"My office. Nine o'clock."

"For what?"

"To discuss our marriage."

I stared at him.

"That's fast."

"You wanted an answer."

"And you'll give me one tomorrow?"

"No."

He looked directly into my eyes.

"I'll give you a contract."

The car stopped outside my hotel.

I looked at him.

"I don't understand you."

"You don't need to."

He opened his door.

Then he paused.

"Evelyn."

I looked at him.

"Yes?"

His expression was serious now.

"If you marry me, don't expect me to pretend."

"Pretend what?"

"That this is a game."

My heart skipped.

He stepped out of the car.

I followed him with my eyes.

Before closing the door, he looked back at me.

"And don't ever ask me to let you go once you become my wife."

The door closed.

I remained frozen in my seat.

I didn't know why his words affected me.

I had gone to him because I wanted revenge.

Nothing more.

At least, that was what I told myself.

I looked down at the business card in my hand.

Lucian Blackwood.

Tomorrow, I would sign a contract with the man my husband feared most.

And Julian had no idea.

But before the car drove away, my phone lit up.

A message from Julian.

Come home. We need to talk.

I stared at the message.

Then deleted it.

For the first time in three years…

I chose not to answer my husband.