Joxi_Jash

When fiery, ambitious Isabella Carter clashes with arrogant yet brilliant Alexander Blackwood, sparks fly—but not in a good way. As rivals in the corporate world, they stop at nothing to sabotage each other. But when fate forces them into an unexpected partnership, the line between hate and love begins to blur.
Will their hatred burn into something deeper, or will their pride keep them apart forever?

From Nemises To Lovers

The war was over, but the scars remained.

Isabella sat on the balcony of the safe house, watching the sun rise over the city she had fought so hard to protect. The golden light painted the skyline in soft hues, a stark contrast to the chaos that had ruled her life for so long.

Peace. It was an unfamiliar feeling. Too quiet. Too still.

A part of her still expected gunfire in the distance, another ambush, another betrayal. But there was nothing. Just the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.

She didn't need to turn around to know it was Alexander.

"You've been out here all night," he said, leaning against the railing beside her.

She glanced at him. The bruises on his face were fading, but the weight in his eyes wasn't. He was feeling it too the emptiness after the fight was won.

"I couldn't sleep," she admitted. "I guess I don't know how to exist without a war to fight."

Alexander let out a quiet chuckle. "Yeah. Me neither."

They stood in silence, both lost in their own thoughts.

Then, he turned to her. "What do you want to do now?"

It was such a simple question, but Isabella had no answer.

For years, her purpose had been revenge. Every move, every decision all leading up to Langston's downfall. But now that he was gone, the fire that had fueled her for so long had burned out.

"I don't know," she finally said. "Start over, I guess."

Alexander nodded, as if he understood exactly what she meant.

"You don't have to figure it out alone," he said. "I meant what I said back there. We'll figure it out together."

Isabella turned to him, really looking at him.

They had been enemies. Rivals. Soldiers on opposite sides of a war. But somewhere along the way, they had become something else.

Something neither of them had been ready to admit.

"I don't know if I know how to live a normal life," she whispered.

Alexander reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Then let's not live a normal life."

A slow smile tugged at the corner of her lips. For the first time in years, the future didn't terrify her.

She didn't know where they were going, but she knew one thing for certain she wasn't alone anymore.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

Chapter 83: Learning to Breathe Again