All Chapters of Loving the enemy: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Ava’s povThe key stuck in the lock. Again.I exhaled through my nose, jiggled it twice before it finally gave in. I walked into my cramped apartment dropping my bag by the wall, I kicked off my worn shoes as I let them land wherever they wanted.Tired and sore from the late night shift waiting tables, my back ached and I could hardly feel my legs. I dragged myself towards my drawers to get pain killers, glancing through my empty fridge and my mother’s latest hospital bill unopened on the counter. I already knew what would be in the fridge would be disappointing so I just grabbed water and nuked a packet of instant noodles I didn’t want but couldn’t afford to skip.I let out a sigh as I slumped down on my old beat couch, reaching out for the remote and turning on the television. I stared blankly. BREAKING NEWS scrolled across the bottom.And there it was. A yacht. On fire.Flames roared across the screen like something out of a movie. A helicopter buzzed overhead while paramedics su

Ava’s pov.Keeping up with my lie didn’t seem so hard so far and I was starting to get used to it that I slowly started to believe I was his wife. It has been four days with me coming from my apartment to the hospital to see Liam and with Daniel watching my every move. Most likely waiting for me to slip up.I sat at the chair beside Liam when the door bursted open. A doctor followed by Daniel walked inside and I straightened up immediately. “… the transfer would be possible. I also believe it would be safer for him, a private nurse will keep watch on him till he wakes.” The doctor said to Daniel as he scribbled on the note pad he carried. “I will get the paper work done immediately.” The doctor walked out of the room leaving me more confused than I did when he initially walked in. I turned to Daniel, my eyes demanding an explanation.“Mr. Vance will be moved back to the house where I think he will be much safer.” He finally spoke.“I should be with him till he wakes up.” I stated cl

Ava’s povMorning came faster than I thought. I couldn’t sleep well. I lingered on everything that happened last night, the kiss. My lips still tingled. It was ridiculous, skin should forget faster than the mind, but my body remembered the shape of his mouth, the heat of his hand, the quiet breath between us before it happened. He had been gentle.Last night was a mistake. It all happened so fast. I told myself that once, then again, until the words settled. A simple truth, people like him take whatever they want. I remind myself that. They believe they own everything. I started to feel the anger build up in me. I sat up. The sheets slid down my legs, soft and expensive. I stood and slipped into the bathroom, I crossed to the sink in the corner turning the tap. The water ran cold, then warmer. I splashed my face until my skin woke up and the girl who had leaned into a kiss was long forgotten.“Focus,” I told myself through the mirror. My voice came out low and steady. “Take control,

Ava’s povMrs. Hart had just finished fastening the neck piece when there was a knock.“Come in,” I managed.Liam stepped in and stopped.I didn’t turn right away. I let him look at the green silk that hugged my hips, the open line of my back, the gleam of diamonds on my neck. I pretended to be trying to put my earring on so I’d have an excuse to keep my hands steady. In the mirror, I caught his reflection.His expression didn’t change.His eyes did. His gaze slowly went up from my leg to my face. No comment. No compliment. Just that stare assessing me, too intimate for the distance between us.My heart raced.“Is it… acceptable?” I asked.He blinked, like I’d interrupted a thought. “It will do,” he said but he didn’t move. Didn’t look away.Mrs. Hart cleared her throat. “I’ll bring the clutch,” she said leaving the room.The door clicked. We were alone. I turned to face him fully.“The necklace suits you,” he said with his eyes around my neck now.“You told me to wear it.” He steppe

Ava’s povI could lie and he would still believe it. His question was simple and giving him an answer won’t give me away. Tell me one true thing about yourself.I wanted to lie, wanted to brush it off but the way he was looking at me. The truth really mattered to him and I feel like giving him that this time.“I hate pity,” I whispered before I could stop myself.I felt exposed.His brows drew together slightly, not in mockery or disbelief but in something else, curiosity. Maybe even understanding.“Pity,” he repeated.I nodded. “I can stand anger. I can stand indifference. But pity? It makes you small. Makes you feel like you’ve already lost before you’ve even had a chance to fight.”I glanced at him, his eyes hadn’t softened — but something inside them shifted. The man everyone said was cold, ruthless, untouchable… he looked at me like he knew exactly what I meant.“I understand,” he said quietly. “No one here would ever dare pity you.”Heat crawled up my throat. He was too close.