The Enemy I Married

I was forced into a marriage with my sworn enemy, Liam Hartwell.

We'd barely stepped out of City Hall when he shoved a contract in my face, his expression ice-cold. Don't touch me. Don't cross the line. Whoever falls first walks away with nothing.

I was about to have cold laugh when a voice suddenly exploded inside my head:

OH MY GOD SHE'S SO BEAUTIFUL. The marriage certificate literally smells so good. I want to kiss her, hold her, pull her so close she becomes part of me Liam, keep it TOGETHER. Do NOT let her underestimate you!

My eyes went wide.

I stared at the man in front of me perfectly tailored suit, blank expression, not a single emotion on his face.

Oh, really?

If he wanted to play games, fine. I'd play along and I'd tear that fragile self-control of his apart piece by piece.

He had less than a month before he'd be on his knees, eyes red, begging me to love him.

"Sign it, Ruby Valentine. Let's get one thing straight this marriage exists for one reason: to keep both our companies' stock prices from tanking. Don't touch me. Don't cross the line. Whoever falls first walks away with nothing."

In the backseat of the Rolls-Royce parked outside City Hall, Liam tossed a prenuptial agreement onto my lap without so much as glancing at me.

He was wearing a perfectly fitted custom suit, and behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes were as cold as ice.

I looked down at the contract and laughed inwardly.

Liam and I Boston's most notorious rivals.

We'd been competing our whole lives. I ranked first in our grade, so he went and won a national math olympiad. I launched a startup in college, so he turned his family's company into a publicly traded corporation.

And even today getting married was only happening because a joint overseas investment project had blown up in scandal, and to stop our stock prices from free-falling, our families had decided to tie us together.

I reached for the pen to sign and then the car slammed to a sudden stop.

"Ugh"

I hadn't buckled my seatbelt. I lurched forward, completely out of control, and my forehead crashed straight into Liam's chest.

The faint scent of dark sandalwood wrapped around me instantly.

I was about to snap at him when a deafening voice exploded in my head:

HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT. She just fell into my arms. She's so soft. She smells so good. Oh my GOD did she do that on purpose? She's definitely doing this on purpose. She's trying to seduce me. Hold it together! Liam, you are a cold, powerful CEO. Do NOT blow your cover!

I froze completely.

I jerked my head up and stared at him like I'd seen a ghost.

He still had that same frigid, unapproachable expression if anything, he looked annoyed. He pushed me away with one hand and brushed off his jacket with the other. "Ruby Valentine. Rule number one: don't touch me. And you're already throwing yourself at me?"

But inside my head, that voice was still screaming:

HELP. The way she just looked up at me those eyes I want to kiss her. I want to pin her against this seat and kiss her until she can't breathe. But I can't. If I do that now, she'll laugh at me forever. I have to stay cold. I have to make HER fall first.

I swallowed hard and pointed at him in disbelief. "You what did you just say?"

Liam let out a cold scoff. "I said wipe your mouth. Don't get drool on my custom suit."

I took a slow, deep breath.

Okay. So I'd somehow developed a superpower. I could hear this insufferable man's inner thoughts.

I looked at his perfectly composed, completely fake expression and felt a wicked little thrill rise up inside me.

Playing hard to get, are we? Fine. Let's see how long you can keep this up.

Instead of snapping back at him like I normally would, I let myself sink lazily against the seat. I tugged my neckline down just slightly, letting my collarbone catch the light, and said in the sweetest voice I could manage, "honey~ That hurts, you know. Aren't you going to rub a little for me?"

Liam's entire body visibly stiffened.

honey?! She called me honey?! She actually just called me HONEY. Is this real life? How is this free? oh no, I'm going to have a nosebleed.

CALM DOWN. Have a deep breaths. This is obviously a trap. Ruby is trying to get me to fall first so she can take my shares. Do not fall for it. Do NOT fall for it.

He clenched his jaw so hard I could almost hear it, and forced out each word like it cost him something. "Ruby. Did you mess up with your head?"

I burst out laughing, grabbed the contract, and scrawled my signature across it in one dramatic sweep.

"Sure, Mr. Hartwell." I smiled at him. "Let's see who begs first."

On my first night in Liam's house, I decided to "hit "him hard.

We were rivals. We'd signed a contract saying whoever fell first would lose everything. So naturally, I was going to win by whatever means necessary.

After my shower, I skipped my own pajamas entirely and dug through his closet until I found an oversized white dress shirt. I pulled it on.

It just barely covered the tops of my thighs enough to cover everything, not enough to leave much to the imagination. My legs dangled bare in the cool air.

I ran a towel through my half-damp hair, pushed open the door to his study, and walked in.

Liam was sitting at his desk, in the middle of an international video call. His English was flawless sharp, cold, and completely professional.

He heard me come in and turned his head.

The moment his eyes landed on me, his voice cut off mid-sentence.

Thump thump! Thump thump!

I could practically hear his heart slamming against his ribs.

Oh my God. Why is she dressed like that?! Those legs that waist wait that's MY shirt! She's wearing MY shirt! She's doing this on purpose. Is she trying to kill me tonight?!

I was dying laughing on the inside, but I kept my face perfectly innocent. I picked up a glass of warm milk, walked over to him, and leaned down slowly.

The neckline of the shirt fell open just enough.

"Honey, it's so late you should take a break." I let my breath brush right against his ear, warm and soft. "I brought you some milk."

Liam's throat moved in a hard swallow.

He snapped his laptop shut cutting off the video call entirely and his expression darkened into something dangerous.

"Ruby." His voice came out rough, like he was grinding the words between his teeth. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?"

Don't lean that close! I'm losing my mind! One more inch and I swear I won't be able to control myself. Does she know? Has she figured me out? No impossible. I've been so careful.

I blinked at him, all wide eyes and innocence. "I just wanted to take care of you. What's wrong?" I glanced down at the shirt and smiled. "This smells so good, by the way. I didn't bring any pajamas, Mind if I borrow yours? You're not being stingy, are you, Mr. Hartwell?"

As I said it, I reached out and traced a slow circle on his chest with one finger.

Liam's hand shot out and grabbed my wrist. His grip was startlingly strong.

His eyes burned dark, locked onto mine. "Take it off."

I held his gaze and raised an eyebrow. "And if I don't?"

Don't take it off! Please, for the love of just keep it on! AHHHH I can't take this anymore, someone save me! How does she always know exactly how to drive me insane?!

Watching him scream internally while keeping his face completely blank on the outside I almost lost it. I nearly burst out laughing right then and there.

I let my foot slip on purpose.

I stumbled forward and fell straight into his arms.

Liam's body always told the truth, even when his mouth wouldn't. His arms came up on instinct and caught me, pulling me firmly against him.

His muscles were rigid as stone. His heart was pounding so hard I could feel it.

She's so soft she smells so good I'm done. I am completely done.

She's moving again if she does that one more time I'm going to lose all self-control! No. No, Liam. You have to hold it . If you give in now, you'll never have the upper hand in this relationship again. Not once. Ever.

He pushed me back firmly, but carefully, like he was afraid of hurting me.

"Stay away from me. Go back to your own room."

Then he turned and bolted like he'd seen a ghost, making a beeline straight for the bathroom.

A moment later, the sound of rushing water came through the door.

Cold water.

I leaned against the doorframe and listened to him fall apart on the inside:

Cold shower. I need a cold shower. Okay. Clear your mind. Think of nothing. Think of anything else God, she has an incredible figure ugh, this is so unfair. I'm a married man taking cold showers in my own house. oh no.

The next morning, I slept in on purpose.

By the time I came downstairs, Liam was already sitting at the dining table with his coffee. He looked absolutely dreadful, sporting heavy bags under his eyes and a stormy expression, surrounded by a palpable 'keep your distance' energy.

Clearly, the cold shower hadn't done much for his sleep.

I walked over, pulled out the chair right next to him, sat down, and propped my chin in my hand. "Rough night, honey? Can't sleep without me holding you right?"

Liam's coffee cup jerked in his hand. He nearly spilled it.

Here she goes again! She's doing it again! This is absolutely on purpose she wants to watch me embarrass myself!

He set the cup down and gave me a flat, cold look. "Ruby. Drop the act. I'm not interested."

Just then, the front doorbell rang.

The housekeeper had barely opened the door before a voice floated in soft, trembling, soaked in tears.

"Liam!"

A woman in a white dress came rushing inside, her expression fragile and pitiful. It was Liam's cousin, Lily Ward.

Lily had been attached to Liam since they were kids. She'd never bothered to hide how much she disliked me. Everyone in Boston knew Lily followed Liam around like a little tail.

She didn't even glance in my direction. She went straight to Liam, eyes red and glistening. "Liam, I heard you and Ruby got married ?How could you marry her ! You always said you couldn't stand women like her pushy, mean, manipulative. You said she was exactly the type you hated most!"

The whole room went still.

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Liam with a slow, amused smile.

Oh? The type he hated most?

The color drained from Liam's face and then it went completely, furiously dark.

Bullsh*t! When did I ever say that?! My wife isn't vicious she's fierce! She's a queen! Who the hell do you think you are, talking about my wife like that?!

Oh no, oh no what if Ruby misunderstood? What if she gets so mad she files for divorce on the spot? Lily, you idiot, are you trying to get me killed!

I took a slow, unhurried sip of my milk and watched quietly to see how he'd handle it.

Liam drew a deep breath, shot to his feet, and fixed Lily with an ice-cold stare. "Lily, first call me Mr. Hartwell."

"Second, Ruby is my legal wife and the rightful lady of the Hartwell family. I can barely keep up with how much I love her. Dislike her? Where would that even come from?"

"Third who gave you the nerve to walk into my home and speak to my wife like that? Get out."

The rapid-fire words hit Lily like a slap. She stood there, stunned.

Her eyes went wide with disbelief, tears streaming down her face. "Liam you said you love her?"

She wasn't the only one caught off guard. I blinked too.

Liam seemed to realize he'd let something slip. A flicker of panic crossed his face.

Oh sh*t. That just came out! Does that count as me fall first? No no, it doesn't! I was just putting on a show for the outsider! Right, it was all an act! Ruby's smart enough to know I didn't mean it. She won't take it seriously.

Watching him scramble internally, clearly losing his mind, I nearly burst out laughing.

I stood up, walked over to Liam, and slipped my arm through his. I leaned my head against his shoulder and gave Lily my best winner's smile.

"Miss Ward did you catch that? My husband just said he loves me. So please, do us a favor and stop interrupting our time together from now on. The door's right over there. show yourself out."

Lily trembled with rage, jabbing a finger at us. "You two you'll regret this!"

With that, she pressed a hand over her face and ran out sobbing.

Liam watched her go and let out a long, quiet breath.

Thank God. I thought I was screwed good thing Ruby played along. But that woman Lily is a trouble. I'm never letting her through that door again.

He turned his head and noticed my arm was still linked through his. His body went stiff all over again.

She's still holding on to me. This feels so good I don't want her to let go

I wasn't about to give him what he wanted. I pulled my arm free, smoothed out the wrinkles in my sleeve, and said coolly, "Not bad acting, Mr. Hartwell. You almost had me fooled for a second."

Liam's expression dimmed. He let out a cold scoff. "Same to you. It was just a performance, Mrs. Hartwell. Don't buy it."

She really didn't take it seriously. When am I ever going to get to hold her without hiding it

A few days later, on the weekend, the Hartwell family held their monthly dinner at the old estate.

As newlyweds, Liam and I were expected to attend together.

The Hartwell family had deep, murky waters beneath the surface. Liam's parents had passed away when he was young, and he had been raised entirely by his grandmother Elizabeth Hartwell. And then there is his uncle, William Hartwell. Always hungry for the CEO seat of The Hartwell Group, he has always viewed Liam as a thorn in his side.

The moment we walked in, Elizabeth Hartwell's face lit up and she waved me over warmly.

"Ruby, sweetheart, come sit with me. I've been waiting for long long time and you're finally part of our family."

She took my hands in hers, beaming from ear to ear. "You two have been bickering since you were kids I always knew it was just that classic love-hate thing. If Liam ever gives you a hard time, you come straight to me. I'll sort him out."

I smiled and nodded sweetly. "Thank you, Grandmother Hartwell."

Nearby, Lily watched the exchange, a flash of cold resentment crossing her eyes.

She was here too, standing beside William.

Before long, Lily walked over carrying a steaming cup of herbal tea, a syrupy smile plastered on her face. "Mrs. Hartwell, don't let us keep you from your tea. I made this especially for you please have it."

I was standing close enough that the moment she brought the cup over, I caught it a scent. Faint. Almost imperceptible. But unmistakably off.

My brow furrowed sharply.

I recognized that smell. It was a byproduct from a targeted drug my family's pharmaceutical company was currently developing. The compound itself was colorless and odorless but when heated, it released a very specific scent.

And it was lethal.

Only someone who had personally overseen the development of that compound would recognize the smell.

Lily was trying to poison Elizabeth Hartwell and frame me for it it.

That drug only existed in my family's lab. I had just married into this family. If Elizabeth died, William would have every reason to seize control.

What a vicious, airtight setup.

I watched Elizabeth smile and lift the teacup toward her lips. There was no time to think. I lunged forward and slapped the cup out of her hand.

Crack.

Scalding tea splattered across the floor. The fine porcelain cup shattered into pieces.

Dead silence fell over the room.

Elizabeth flinched, staring at me in shock.

Lily screamed first. "Ruby! Have you lost your mind?! You just knocked the cup out of Grandmother Hartwell's hands what is wrong with you?!"

William shot to his feet, his voice sharp as a blade. "How dare you! Ruby, you just stepped through the door and already you dare to cause trouble in this old estate? Someone grab her now!"

Several bodyguards closed in immediately, their expressions dark and threatening.

Liam's face went pale. He tried to push through to reach me, but William's men blocked him hard.

[Let go of me! Any of you dare touch her! Ruby is not the kind of person who cause trouble without reason something is wrong with that tea!]

Hearing him defend me without a single doubt, I felt a quiet warmth move through my chest.

I fixed my eyes on Lily's smug face and snapped, "Nobody move. There's poison in that tea."

The room erupted.

Lily went white then immediately fired back. "That's insane! I brewed that tea myself. How could it be poisoned?! Ruby, you're making things up!"

"Am I?" I pressed forward, step by step. "Then prove it. Lick the tea off the floor."

At that moment, one of the servants suddenly dropped to her knees, pointing at me and sobbing. "Elizabeth Hartwell Mr. William Hartwell I saw it myself. I watched her sneak something into the teapot. A white powder. I saw it with my own eyes!"

A witness. Physical evidence. A perfectly constructed frame-up.

Elizabeth already had a weak heart. The shock of it all was too much. She clutched her chest, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed.

"Grandmother Hartwell!"

Liam's eyes went red. He tore free from the bodyguards and rushed to catch her.

The entire hall descended into chaos.

I stood where I was, watching the cold smile creeping at the corner of William's mouth and the gleam of satisfaction in Lily's eyes.

This had stopped being a game of love and loyalty. It was a fight with blood on the line.