LOGINShare
Chapter 20
publish date:
2026-08-30 20:29:08
Latest chapter
The Enemy Vow Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREEJULIANElara's kiss on my cheek lingered long after she'd gone to bed, a simple gesture that somehow felt more significant than our kiss at the wedding ceremony.I sat alone in the living room, processing everything from the conversation we'd just had—her admission about fearing control, about fearing she might disappear into her own protective instincts, my own confession about wanting to support rather than control her.This was becoming complicated in ways I hadn't anticipated when I'd agreed to this contract marriage. What started as an opportunity for revenge against the Vance family, mixed with genuine desire to help someone in danger, was transforming into something I hadn't planned for.Real feelings. Real intimacy. Real vulnerability.My phone buzzed. Dec.How'd the party go? Heard about Richard Vance's grand entrance.It happened. Elara handled it beautifully, actually stood up to him in front of everyone.Damn. That takes guts. How are you two doing oth
The Enemy Vow Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWOELARAI woke up Saturday morning to the smell of coffee and the sound of Julian moving around the kitchen. For a moment, lying in bed, I let myself simply enjoy the domesticity of it, waking up to sounds of someone else in the apartment, someone who wasn't judging me, controlling me, or planning my life without consultation.I got dressed and made my way to the kitchen, finding Julian already dressed casually in jeans and a soft gray sweater, looking nothing like the corporate titan from last night's party."Morning," he said, sliding a mug of coffee toward me as I sat at the island. "Sleep okay?""Better than I expected, actually. You?""Same. Though I keep replaying your father's dramatic entrance."I winced. "That was a lot, wasn't it?""It was. But you handled it beautifully."We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping coffee, both processing the events of the previous evening."I've been thinking," I said finally. "About what I said to my father. About
The Enemy Vow Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE ELARAI was laughing at something ridiculous Dec had said, something about his terrible dance moves in law school, when I noticed the shift in the room's energy. Conversations quieted, heads turned toward the entrance.My father stood there, uninvited but undeniably present, his expression furious as he scanned the crowd for me."Oh no," I murmured.Dec followed my gaze. "Is that—""My father. Yes."Julian appeared at my side almost instantly, having noticed the same disturbance. "Stay calm. We'll handle this together."Richard spotted us and began walking directly toward us, ignoring the whispered comments and stares from other guests."Richard," Julian said, his voice cold and controlled. "I don't recall extending you an invitation.""I don't need an invitation to speak with my daughter," Father said, his voice carrying across the suddenly silent room."She's not just your daughter anymore," Julian replied. "She's my wife. This is my home, my party. You're not we
The Enemy Vow Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY JULIANThe invitations had gone out weeks before Elara and I even met, for what was originally planned as a corporate gala, but had transformed into our engagement party once word of our marriage spread through Manhattan society. Two hundred guests, all curious to see the couple who'd shocked the city.I stood in my study, adjusting my cufflinks, going over the guest list one more time. Business partners, society families, a few journalists we'd vetted carefully, competitors who wanted to assess the situation firsthand.This would be Elara's first real test as my wife, not the intimate wedding ceremony with people who already cared about her, but a performance in front of two hundred strangers who would judge every word, every gesture, every interaction between us."Julian?" Elara's voice came from the hallway. "I need your opinion on something."I walked out to find her standing near the bedroom doors, wearing a robe, looking nervous."What's wrong?""Nothing's wrong,
The Enemy Vow Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN ELARAThat evening, Julian came home at exactly 7 PM, as promised. I heard the elevator ding and looked up from where I was curled on the couch with my laptop, working on E.V. Sterling analysis for a client."Honey, I'm home," he said dryly, setting down his briefcase.I laughed. "That's very domestic of you.""I'm trying it out. See if it feels natural yet.""Does it?"He considered this, loosening his tie as he walked toward the kitchen. "Surprisingly, yes. Something about coming home to find someone here, waiting.""I wasn't waiting, I was working.""Same thing, really." He opened the refrigerator, surveying options. "Did you eat dinner?""Not yet. I was going to order something once I finished this analysis.""I can cook, if you're not opposed to that."I closed my laptop, curious. "You cook?""Rosa insisted I learn basic cooking skills growing up. Said no grandson of hers would survive on takeout alone.""What's your specialty?""Honestly? Probably pasta. Simple
The Enemy Vow Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEENELARAAfter Julian left for work, I stood in the kitchen for a long moment, surrounded by evidence of my anxious baking, trying to process the morning.He'd called me his wife, well, not directly, but the implication was there in every interaction. And I'd found myself genuinely enjoying our banter, the easy way conversation flowed between us despite everything we'd been through in the past week.This was dangerous territory. We'd agreed to build trust and partnership first, to let anything else develop naturally. But sitting here now, cleaning up my baking mess, I realized how easily I could fall for this man.My phone buzzed. Maya.How's married life treating you? Is my brother being appropriately doting?I smiled and typed back: He complimented my muffins and left for work. Very romantic.Ha! Give him time, he's not used to having someone around to dote on. But seriously, you okay? Yesterday was a lot.I'm okay. Better than expected, actually.Good. Hey, want to do
The Enemy Vow Chapter 2
E L A R AJulian Hartmann.The name alone would make my father's jaw clench. Our families had been enemies for as long as I could remember, something about my grandfather and his, a business deal that collapsed and a friendship that never recovered.I don't know.The details are fuzzy, but the hatr
The Enemy Vow Chapter 1
E L A R A"Elara, darling, wake up." I groaned as I pulled my silk pillow over my head, blocking out my mother's voice and the morning sunlight slipping through my bedroom windows."Leave me alone, Mother. It's not even morning yet." I said, my voice groggy."It's nine thirty, and we have your fina
The Enemy Vow Chapter 5
J U L I A NI watched Elara Vance walk away, my mind still processing what had just happened.She proposed marriage. To me.A Vance proposed marriage to a Hartmann.My grandfather, Eduard would have had a heart attack.I pulled out my phone from my pocket and called Dec."Come back here. Now," I sa
The Enemy Vow Chapter 4
E L A R AI somehow made it back to the main gallery without my legs giving up on me.My heart was pounding so hard I thought everyone could hear it.But wait, he said yes.Julian Hartmann said yes.I grabbed my champagne tray with shaking hands and tried to blend back in with the other servers, bu
You May Also Like
The Heiress' Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call
Night Eleven587.1K viewsA Life Debt Repaid
Cheng Xiaocheng1.1M viewsMy Bestfriend's Brother Shouldn't Know How I Taste
Demiah13635.4K viewsTwo Can Play
Rosa Kane1.2M viewsLover by Design
Dakota Quinn125 viewsWedded to the Ruler: My Contract Husband Gives It All
Adinasya Mahila25 viewsThe CEO's Baby Chose Me
Daniel Ita 56 viewsThe Night Before My sisters Wedding
Riyah~14 views
