All Chapters of The Enemy Vow : Chapter 11 - Chapter 17

E L A R AI woke up early on Tuesday morning, my stomach was in knots. Today we were finalizing the contract, today this would all become real.I got dressed carefully, in a navy blue suit, professional but not too formal. I wanted to look like I knew what I was doing, even though I felt like I was barely holding it together.My phone buzzed.A text from Julian: Meeting still on for 2 PM. Dec confirmed, are you bringing your lawyer?I typed back: Yes. Patricia will be there.J: Good. See you soon.I stared at that last message.See you soon. In a few hours, I'd be sitting across from Julian Hartmann, negotiating the terms of our marriage like it was just another business deal.Which it was, that's all it was.I had to keep reminding myself of that."Elara!" Mother called from downstairs. "Breakfast!"I grabbed my bag with the contract documents and headed down. Father was already at the table, reading the financial section of the newspaper."Good morning," I said, pouring myself coff

CHAPTER THIRTEEN ELARA I woke up Friday morning to sunlight streaming through the east-facing windows, just like Julian promised. For a moment, I forgot where I was, forgot what today meant. Then it hit me. I was getting married today. I lay in bed for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach. This was really happening. In a few hours, I'd be Mrs. Julian Hartmann. My phone buzzed. A text from Maya: *Rise and shine, future sister-in-law! I'm bringing coffee and moral support. Be there in 30.* I smiled despite my nerves and got up, heading to the bathroom to shower. By the time I was dressed, simple and comfortable, since I still needed to figure out what to actually wear to my own wedding, Maya was knocking on my door with two coffees and a garment bag. "I come bearing gifts," she announced, pushing past me into the room. "I raided my closet this morning. I know you probably have something planned, but just in case you don't—or in cas

CHAPTER FIFTEEN ELARALe Bernardin had reserved a private room for us, away from the main dining area. It felt strange, celebrating with such a small group, just the six of us, when most weddings had hundreds of guests.But it also felt right. Intimate. Real, in a way I hadn't expected.Rosa insisted on a toast almost immediately after we sat down. She stood, raising her champagne glass."To Julian and Elara," she said, her accent thick with emotion. "To love that conquers all divides, all feuds, all foolish family pride. May you find happiness together, and may your marriage heal old wounds instead of creating new ones."We all raised our glasses. I caught Julian's eye across the table, and neither of us corrected her assumption about love."To Julian and Elara," everyone echoed.The lunch was delicious, though I barely tasted it, too caught up in the surreal feeling of everything that had happened. Married. I was actually married.Marcus sat beside me, uncharacteristically quiet fo

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN JULIANI woke at 6 AM out of habit, despite having barely slept. Old routines died hard, even on the first morning of my married life.I showered, dressed for the office, and made my way to the kitchen, expecting silence and solitude like every other morning in this apartment.Instead, I found Elara.She was standing at the counter in sleep shorts and an oversized t-shirt, hair pulled up in a messy bun, flour dusting her cheek and forearms. The kitchen looked like a small explosion had occurred, mixing bowls, measuring cups, and what appeared to be three different batches of muffins cooling on wire racks."You stress bake at 2 AM," I said, stopping in the doorway. "You mentioned that once."She jumped, startled, then laughed when she saw me. "You caught me. Couldn't sleep, and baking helps me think.""What are we thinking about at…" I checked my watch, "...5:47 AM?""Everything. Blackwell. My father. This entire situation." She gestured vaguely at herself, the kitch