All Chapters of Bound To My Rival's Womb: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I stood on the driveway outside Ares' massive estate, clutching the handle of my single piece of luggage. My face was pulled into a deep, pissed-off scowl as I looked up at the building. After the chaotic show we just pulled off at the Vane Headquarters boardroom, the reality of our business alliance had finally set in. I had to live with him.Movement by the grand front entrance caught my eye. Ares was standing there, his arms crossed over his chest, watching me with a cold, unreadable expression.I rolled my eyes dramatically, letting out a loud, annoyed sigh. Without saying a single word, I let go of my bag, leaving it sitting right there on the pavement, and marched past him straight into the house. As I brushed past his shoulder, I shot him a smirk, making it completely obvious that I expected him to carry my stuff inside. Ares didn't say anything, but I saw his jaw tick in pure annoyance.A butler quickly appeared, bowing slightly before guiding me up the wide staircase. I fol

The ride back to the estate was dead quiet. I sat on the far side of the leather-free backseat, staring straight ahead through the dark window. The flashing lights of the reporters were gone, but they still flickered behind my eyes. My hands were balled into tight fists on my lap. Ares sat beside me, his large frame taking up most of the space. He didn't say a word. He just stared forward with that cold, unbothered look on his face. "You had no right to do that," I finally broke the silence, my voice low and sharp. I turned my head to glare at him. "Calling me your mate in front of the whole city. Making a public circus out of me." Ares turned his head slowly. His dark eyes locked onto mine without a single hint of warmth. "She tried to poison you, Julian. The moment we walked into that room, every high-society shark was waiting to see you bleed. If I didn't draw a hard line, they would have torn you apart by midnight." "I could have handled Vivi

The slam of my bedroom door echoed through my head like a gunshot. I leaned my back against the locked wood, sliding down until I hit the floor. My knees pulled tight against my chest, and I buried my face in my hands. My breathing came in short, ragged gasps. The raw anger that had fueled me in the hallway was gone, replaced by a hollow, sickening ache right behind my ribs. I had screamed at him until my throat burned. I had thrown every bit of my pride and frustration right into his face. And for what? Because he brought me sliced limes when my stomach was tearing itself apart? Because he caught me when I was shaking? I am losing my mind, I thought, pressing my palms harder against my eyes. Every single day in this place felt like a battle I was slowly losing. I tried to convince myself I was strong, that I was still the person I used to be, but my new body kept betraying me. It craved his presence, it softened at his touch, and it relied on his p

The drive back to the estate was entirely silent. I sat on the far edge of the backseat, staring hard out the window as the city blur drifted past. My heart was still hammering against my ribs, though I forced myself to breathe slow and steady. Every time I glanced sideways, I could feel Ares sitting beside me, calm and unbothered, his dark eyes fixed straight ahead. Neither of us spoke a single word about what had happened at the docks. The kiss was still burning on my lips, hot and electric, but I fought against the memory with every ounce of willpower I had left. It was a mistake. A weak moment born from adrenaline, exhaustion, and too many emotions crashing together at once. I told myself that over and over again, trying to build the walls back up before the cracks let him all the way in. The moment our car pulled up to the grand entrance of the estate, I didn't wait for the driver. I yanked the door open, stepped out onto the paved ground, a