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Chapter 72
Last Updated:
2025-02-25 00:49:29
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My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 73
Rosa’s povThe enigmatic presents had since turned into a ghost of my thoughts, an enigma I could never fully put together. Every object—exquisitely selected, unbelievably intimate—looked like it was imprinted with a secret code that, maddeningly, we could not decipher. I was both glad and not glad of the gifts, but I could not allow them to disturb me. Not now.Only days prior to the fashion show for the boutique, our biggest event yet. The stakes were high. It was more than just to be able to showcase my designs; it was about making Rosa’s Boutique a major player within the fashion industry.One evening, sitting in the living room with a notebook sprawled across my lap, I said, “James, could you help me out with the theme of this show?”James who had been scrolling through his phone looked up and raised an eyebrow. Q: "You don't care about the presents?"His question tugged at the unease I had tried so desperately to repress and I hesitated for a moment. But I found a way to force m
Last Updated : 2025-02-25My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 74
Rosa’s povJames, this can't be ignored," I said firmly. A fire lit in my heart, smoldering eradicated any uncertainty I had carried with me for the past few days. The enigma of the gifts had grown to loom over our lives—an unsolved riddle and an incomplete puzzle, eagerly waiting for all its fragments to be joined over blurry lines.James, who was sitting across from me at the dining room table looked up at me. His look was just as firm, his gray eyes slitting at me and giving a brief nod. “Agreed. Let’s investigate.”We started with what seemed to be the most logical first step: tracking where the packages had come from. So James was in charge of this little task, due to his network of contacts and expertise at booking things. He called the courier companies that had delivered the packages, but each lead ended in a cul-de-sac. However the trail grew cold before it even started, as not one of their records matched the descriptions for the packages and there was no return address.One
Last Updated : 2025-02-25My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 75
Rosa’s povAn employee at the antique shop leaned on the counter and nearly whispered. The shop was dimly lit in such a way as to add an aura of exclusiveness and secrecy.I have an idea of who sent the music box, he said and shifted his eyes between James and I.The air stilled, and I leaned closer without even thinking about it. “Who?” That piqued my interest, so I asked.The owner paused, perhaps deciding how much to give away. Finally, he spoke.“A high profile collector known only as The Patron.”“The Patron?” James said again, a furrow forming between his brows. He sounded doubtful, and his body stiffened next to me. “Who is that supposed to be? And what’s their motive?”The shopkeeper wiped his glasses and said shrugs. The only thing no one knows about The Patron is what his identity is.” They’re... an enigma. An aesthetic person, designer and talented individual. They like to support artists and creators—from the shadows. Rosa, somehow they had noticed your boutique.Greatly f
Last Updated : 2025-02-25My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 76
Rosa’s povThe enticing whiff of lavender and freshly pressed linens welcomed James and me back to the boutique from the tranquil evening we shared. It was the familiar soft hum of the overhead lights, and the gentle clink of a bell at the entrance that had everything about this space a little lost in time but there was something foreign to this serenity tonight. It was like one of those eased moments that hangs over you before a storm goes off in the room.We slipped further into the heart of boutique, where the dangling chandeliers glinted against glass cases and dimmed an almost skeletal glow around us. That was when it caught my eye — a pristine package, neatly wrapped in paper, on the counter. The bow was crisp and elegant; it sparkled in the light, and the brown paper that surrounded it looked far too neat to actually be real.I had spoken, while all my hair stood on end and eyes went wide, with my mouth only letting me say the word "James," as I pointed toward that package.He
Last Updated : 2025-02-25My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 77
Rosa’s povThe package came as I was closing up the store for the night. Always wrapped perfectly — black paper, crimson ribbon that stood out against the muted streetlights. The card was placed perfectly under the ribbon, and I knew this person meant business because my heart sank.Oxygen Mask Mark II, I mumbled cautiously.James, who had come to get me, stood mute beside me. He didn't have to inquire, his face gave him away in a heartbeat.Open it, he said cautiously but firmly.Untied this ribbon in order to take the paper off, then I carefully unfolded it; There was a beautiful diamond necklace in one of them, and each time the light hit it differently, so that it flashed stunningly. It was something I had never seen before, the type of jewelry that screams money and class for generations.An envelope was tucked next to the necklace. I paused before snapping it open, my fingers shaking.The message was brief and direct:Dragon Miss, Arrive at Grand Hotel 17:00 Come alone."My voic
Last Updated : 2025-02-25My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 78
James’s povWhen Rosa walked out of the door to go meet The Patron at the Grand Hotel, a ball of anxiety lodged itself in my heart and twisted. I stood at the counter of the boutique and stared at a row of necklaces stacked beneath glass. All the logical reassurances I told myself—public place, quick meeting, Rosa could take care of herself—did nothing to quell the nagging fear clawing at my brain.The whole thing had been odd from the beginning. The strange gifts, the vague texts, the request for discretion—all of that felt like obfuscation, like something more deliberate. But I just couldn't get rid of the thought that Rosa was stepping into a trap.I started pacing back and forth, the gentle whir of the lighting system in the boutique mixing with the low hum of street noise, muffled but not inaudible. I saw the blood going from my body and I heard worst-case scenarios.What if The Patron was not all they said? What if this was a long con to control Rosa, an attempted exploitation o
Last Updated : 2025-02-25My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 79
James’s povRosa had eyes blazing at her recounting of every detail in her meeting with The Patron. As we sat across from each other in our living room that was beginning to warm up for the summer, I enjoyed her infectious energy, and how passionate and excited her whole being became when she mentioned her boutique. And it was moments like this that made me remember why I had fallen in love with her.She said it with conviction, "They have faith in the boutique, James!" This investment could be a game changer. Not just money—connections, mentorship, opportunities to grow in ways I never believed possible."I nodded, I let her words soak over me. I got her excitement, but I also realized that we had to tread lightly. We needed to be at the top of our game, above all that emotion.Rosa was holding my hands as she said, "We can make this happen.Something about her unwavering gaze drew me in. “I’m with you,” I said. "But before we make it an announcement of our own, let's do the work fir
Last Updated : 2025-02-25My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 80
Rosa’s povThe boutique had surpassed my expectations. It was not only the sales, or how people were reviewing my designs generously and demanding for more of them, it was a fulfilment that I have manifested what I had visualised. Each item in the boutique was a curated tale, and customers met it with excitement and dedication.Fluff James as my wingman and The Patron behind the scenes in his quiet authoritative way, my boutique was a household name. Fashion insiders complimented me and influencers wanted to work with me, while the industry started inviting me out as a rising star.But success, I discovered rather quickly, was a careful balancing act.The signs were subtle at first. Avoided stares, whispers at industry functions. Other designers who once greeted me with a smile barely offered curt nods.At the time, I shook it off as a lack of self confidence on their end. James shrugged, confident: “People are always talking.And then the rumors began in an avalanche.(Rolls eyes) as
Last Updated : 2025-02-25
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My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 117
James’s PovThere was a charged air, electricity hanging in the atmosphere — waiting for a spark. The energy in the room was palpable—anticipation, excitement, and disbelief. Rosa was pregnant with twins. Our twins. Years of love, toil and growth had built up to this moment, it was almost surreal in its enormity.I scanned the room to find our friends, family and colleagues filling up the venue for the grand opening of The Harden Family Foundation —the foundation we had worked so hard to build. This initiative was something we had both cooked up, helping young entrepreneurs and artists with the tools needed to build their dreams. This was the beginning of our next chapter, a one that would create an impact much larger than we ever could alone.Still, all of that felt secondary now to the fact that Rosa was mere hours away from delivering. Her body had been through so much already, the ability to carry this pregnancy now along with everything else—it was nothing short of a miracle. Yes
My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 116
James’s PovWatching all those little kids in their funny caps and gowns from the back of the auditorium felt strange. It filled me with a combination of pride, nostalgia and disbelief. Emma, our daughter with the wobbly knees walking into her first day at school was long gone. She was at the threshold of something more—her life. And it was happening literally in front of me.Rosa was next to me with her hand resting lightly on my arm, staring at Emma as she stood in front of the podium. I could almost taste her tension, the pride and love she'd been brewing there for more years than I could count. The moment was not only for Emma. It was ours. We had forged this, together, following our lead, with us being there to support and love her through her trials, and victories. And here she was now, standing ready to address an auditorium full of people, preparing to tell the world what she needed them to hear.My heart raced with anxiety as Emma walked to the mic. She was steady, composed b
My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 115
James’s PovThe day had been a long one. Too long, in fact. With the business problems, Bethel came back, and was still looking for whoever had started messing with Rosa's designs—my brain was like a one-person track team going around in circles. Through all those storms there had been one constant—Rosa. She was the peacekeeper, the nucleus of everything that revolved around it.That evening when she entered with a pale face, an absent look in her eyes, I knew something was wrong. I recognized the expression, my mind saying to keep it together baby girl as though something heavy was on her. Not that she needed to say anything. Not even for a moment did I doubt that always in the air, there was tension.“Hey, what’s wrong?” I said, putting down the coffee cup. Not waiting for an answer, I knew that she needed to talk and I was all ears.But what she would open her mouth and say next would leave me breathless.“I’m pregnant.”My initial reaction was disbelief. I found it hard to take in
My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 114
Rosa’s PovThose next few weeks were a series of meetings, lack of sleep, and questioning. Bethel had returned to the family home for some time, looking for a sense of stability. Yet, she was merely rebuilding things in her life — There lay an ambiguous journey the next. The search didn't let up for whoever was leaking our designs and the business was feeling that heat. Yet all that remained unchanged, despite the ruckus swirling around us, was James and I locked in as teammates who would bounce forth whatever lurked next.But while the storm raged on we did something weird — something that felt like a cosmic nudge in my direction to say life was still happening literally throughout all this.I had missed a few periods. I initially presumed it was stress. I had hectic days behind me and felt a whole range of emotions. But as days passed, a subtle dread grew in the belly of my stomach.So I grabbed the phone, called my doctor's office. They were able to squeeze me in the next morning f
My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 113
Rosa’s PovThe first days in the world after moving out of my family home, was like a strange kind of birth. I had reconciled my past and was okay with it, now I would get on with my life. The burden that held me down was finally removed. But as life likes to teach us, we donÕt get change without a fight.The first of many challenges hit James and me while we were sitting at our favorite restaurant, enjoying dinner together. Suddenly, there was a little buzz on the table where his phone was resting. His eyes scanned the words on it, narrowing as he read a message.“What’s wrong?” I half asked, my fork freezing in the air, the pleasant buzz of the restaurant dulled.James, with clipped vocals, replied: "It's about Bethel."I had put my fork down; I could hear the tension behind his voice. And his sister, Bethel, had always been the wild card of the Harden bunch—free-spirited, reckless and bold. Yet lately, she had been making more than a couple of bad choices.“What happened now?”"Of
My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 112
Rosa’s PovAs we neared the house, which had once been my world, now a rundown old heap. The car came to a slow crawl. I had completely forgotten how much I missed that creak of the tires rolling on the gravel driveway. When I stepped out of the car, a surreal sense of nostalgia and unease washed over me. It was the first time for me back here in years, not since everything had changed. Not since the day I left in search of making a life for myself: so far away from here and all this history that hung around like an echo.“Are you sure about this?” Uh oh what happened James asked down beside me with concern in his voice.I shook my head, probably too fast and grinned at him with a tight smile that was only half reassuring. “Yeah. I think it’s time.”He gazed at me for a second, dark eyes roving over my face, the furrow between his brows growing deeper. He didn't follow up, but I could feel the question line hanging in the air. James had watched me go through hard times over and over,
My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 111
James’s PovThe morning light was spilling through the blinds of my office, casting long shadows on the floor. While outside, the city hummed quietly in comparison to the storm in my brain. I had been expecting this. And I knew that after all we had done together Reginald would never let things like this slide. Defeat was not one of his words–not easily, anyway. So when I saw his name flash on my phone screen bright and early that morning, I knew it meant something.The door opened and Rosa, a placid but attractive figure of a woman always ready to chat broke into my thoughts. The question if she too had seen the message didn’t even need asking. There was already a heaviness between us.I said, and the words came out like an accusation — though I hadn't even finished speaking.Rosa’s gaze hardened. We knew that walking away quietly was not going to be an option for him. What does he want this time?”I sat back in my chair, rubbing the bridge of my nose as I pondered our choices. Such
My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 110
Rosa’s POVOn a lazy Sunday afternoon, Emma surprised me with a question that caught me short. She had just finished her homework and was on the couch with her legs tucked under her, watching TV without really paying attention. Her innocent voice interrupted the soft hum of the house.Someday, at some point in our lives, one of us will ask the question — “Mom, why do you and Dad get married?”I paused, as the shock of words were more impactful than I had anticipated. Emma had never been dull — she always asked the kinds of questions that forced you to consider things in a way you never had before. I knew this day would come, but so early I didn't expect My thoughts were tumbling a bit as I tried to find the most appropriate words; how do you explain the mixed feelings behind our choice, or rather why the decision was not so simple for me or us?I looked at James, who was sitting at the kitchen table reading a newspaper, with his back toward us. His eyes glanced at mine for a split sec
My Enemy Is My Lover Chapter 109
James’s POVIt was something I had always prided myself on: knowing where I came from; understanding the legacy of my family. I thought I knew everything about our wealth, our power, the empire we had created; that little part of my life which I imagined was mine. But when I sat across the table from my mom, her hands shaking a little as she passed me an envelope with a strange, faded insignia ironed on it, I knew just how little knowledge I had.“James,” her voice wavering, she continued “I have to tell you something. The family history around how we came by our money, I guess.I frowned and focused on my breathing. “What do you mean, Mom?”After some delay, she opened the envelope and took out a few creased yellowing sheets of paper. “Of course, I never wanted you to know this but today feels like it could be time. You have to know the real story about your father, about what it took to build the Harden dynasty.I leaned in, heart racing. Decades of effort, well-placed investments,
