Nova_Everly

Emma Carter has spent years building her consulting empire, proving she doesn’t need anyone—especially arrogant, entitled men like Alex Kingston. Smart, ruthless, and fiercely independent, she’s always played to win.

Alex Kingston is a business shark—rich, charming, and impossible to outmaneuver. He thrives on competition and never backs down from a challenge. So when a billion-dollar deal forces them to work together, their rivalry ignites into an all-out war.

But as the battle intensifies, so does the undeniable attraction simmering beneath their fights. Enemies turn to reluctant allies, then something more dangerous—something neither of them is ready to face.

In a city where power is everything, will they fight for dominance… or surrender to a love that could ruin them both?

Against the Odds: A Love Rewritten

Emma's heart pounded as she looked into Alex's eyes. His confession still echoed in her mind. I love you.

She wanted to say it back—God, she did. But something clawed at her chest, something dark and suffocating.

Alex was waiting. His hands were still on her, his lips just inches away, but she could feel his hesitation now. He could sense her pulling away.

Before she could speak, before she could figure out how to break this moment without breaking him, her phone vibrated again.

Her stomach twisted as she saw the name.

Her breath caught. Her fingers trembled as she picked it up.

"Emma," Alex said, voice low, wary. "Who is it?"

She didn't answer. She already knew.

She pressed accept and lifted the phone to her ear.

A deep, familiar voice spoke. Cold. Calculated. A voice she hadn't heard in years.

Alex tensed as he saw her expression shift from confused to pale terror. His grip on her tightened. "Emma? Who the hell is that?"

Her fingers curled tightly around the phone, her knuckles turning white. "How did you get this number?" she whispered.

A dark chuckle. "Come on, Emma. You know I always find you."

Alex was watching her closely now, his jaw clenched, eyes flashing with something dangerous. He could tell—this wasn't just some random call.

Emma forced herself to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. "I told you to stay out of my life."

"You did," the voice agreed, mock sympathy dripping from his tone. "But sweetheart, you should know by now—you don't get to make the rules. And I have so many things to tell you."

Her stomach turned. No. No, no, no.

Alex's fingers suddenly plucked the phone from her grip. Before she could stop him, he put it to his own ear.

"Who the hell is this?" Alex's voice was sharp, filled with venom.

There was silence on the other end. Then—

Alex's eyes narrowed. "How do you know my name?"

A slow exhale. "Because, Alex Kingston, you're part of the reason she's like this."

Emma's breath caught. Alex's entire body tensed.

"What the fuck does that mean?" he demanded.

The voice on the other end only chuckled. "Ask her."

The silence in the room was suffocating.

Alex lowered the phone slowly, his gaze snapping to Emma.

Her past had just crashed back into her life, and worse—Alex was now tangled in it, whether she wanted him to be or not.

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Emma. Talk to me. Now."

Her throat tightened. The fear in her chest was suffocating.

He might never look at her the same way again.

Chapter 65 – The Truth Beneath the Lies