Fated to Be with My Ex's Enemy After Rebirth

Evelyn Knight had been reborn, back to the day she married Nathaniel Andrews at twenty.

In her last life, she had believed Nathaniel's sweet talk and poured everything she had into helping the Andrews family rise to the top in Lichester, using her network and connections. And what had she gotten in return? Betrayal. That man had strangled her with his bare hands, his face twisted in rage as he snarled he had never loved her. He had literally killed her.

Right now, dressed in a white wedding gown, Evelyn carefully lifted her skirt and stood atop a garden wall. She was stunning-her eyes sparkled like stars, her bridal makeup flawless. Her hair was simply styled and secured with a small jewelled crown, her veil fluttering in the breeze.

Behind her, the wedding was in full swing; laughter and congratulations filled the air. They were at a private manor-the very place where, in her past life, Evelyn had been kidnapped during the ceremony. All part of Nathaniel's plan.

She wasn't going to let it happen again. Without hesitation, she sprinted straight to the backyard and climbed the wall. Looking down at the height in her heels, her legs trembled slightly. She took a deep breath, and just as she glanced down-

She froze.

Julian Everett. The youngest Everett heir, son of the richest man in Lichester. Rumored to be an illegitimate child of the Everett family. A total playboy-charming, flirtatious, never serious about anything.

Julian was leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed. His fox-like eyes curved playfully, lips tugged into a teasing smile.

Startled, Evelyn locked eyes with those wickedly magnetic irises. A slow, deliberate wink from him made her breath hitch. She shifted uneasily, adjusting her stance atop the narrow ledge, eyes flicking around for a safe spot to jump.

But then-her foot slipped.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips. The world tilted.

She braced for impact, eyes squeezed shut-

-only to crash not into cold stone, but into warmth and muscle.

Julian had lunged forward on instinct, arms outstretched. "Careful!"

They hit the ground in a tumble, air knocked from both lungs. His back met the earth with a muffled thud, and she landed flush against him, the full length of her body sprawled across his.

For a breathless second, time suspended.

Evelyn's face was inches from his, her lips brushing the edge of his jaw during the fall. The faintest trace of stubble grazed her skin. Her hands, frantic and searching for balance, pressed against the solid contours of his chest, fingers splayed, feeling the quick rise and fall of his breath beneath her palms.

Julian groaned softly, blinking up at her. One arm slipped around her waist in a protective, almost possessive motion. "Don't move," he murmured, voice husky with impact-and something else entirely.

Evelyn froze.

His breath was warm against her cheek, his hand firm at the small of her back. She could feel his heartbeat pounding beneath her, fast and deep, mirroring her own. Her body tensed, but she didn't pull away.

Julian's gaze darkened, flickering down to her parted lips. The space between them was nothing now-barely an inch. Her skin tingled where they touched, her cheeks burning as his fingers curled slightly against her waist.

The air between them thickened, charged. Everything else fell away.

They stared at each other, breath mingling, neither daring to close the gap-nor daring to break it.

Just then, chaos exploded on the other side of the wall, snapping them out of the moment.

Without missing a beat, Julian leaned in closer, his voice a teasing whisper by her ear: "If you wanted to be in my arms that badly, all you had to do was ask."

The subtle scent of wind chimes lingered around Evelyn-Julian's fragrance. His arms locked tightly around her slim waist as he effortlessly swept her up in a bridal carry. The soft scent clinging to her enveloped him. Julian's fingers brushed the silk of her dress, and a shadow of something dark shifted in his deep-set eyes.

Evelyn felt the pressure at her waist tighten slightly. She shoved at his chest, wriggling. "Let. let me go."

Julian set her down without resistance, a mischievous smirk playing on his devastatingly handsome face.

She straightened, scowling at her wedding dress. Bending over, she pulled off her heels one by one and held them.

Julian watched her, still grinning. "So the bride's making a run for it, huh?"

The wedding between the Knights and the Andrews had been the talk of Lichester for over a week, thanks to the hype from Nathaniel's side.

Naturally, the Everetts had been invited too-Julian tagging along. But unlike his impeccably suited family, he stood out in light blue ripped skinny jeans and a loose pink hoodie, exuding a deliberately casual, youthful air.

Memories surfaced. No matter what, Nathaniel was always overshadowed by Julian. It was a constant, bitter frustration.

Raising an eyebrow, she gave a wry smile. "So I'm the runaway bride, and you're here to crash the wedding?"

Something flickered in Julian's eyes before he casually whistled. "Crashing a wedding? Sounds wild, I admit."

Out of nowhere, he leaned in, lifting her chin with one finger. "But if I'm being honest, secret affairs intrigue me far more than public spectacles. What do you say, Miss Knight? Fancy slipping away with me?"

In Lichester, everyone knew Evelyn had a thing for the kind of gentlemanly, well-mannered guys like Nathaniel Andrews. As for guys like Julian Everett-the wild, good-for-nothing rich kids-she couldn't be more turned off.

A smirk tugged at Evelyn's lips. She reached out and yanked Julian toward her.

Their upper bodies pressed tight. Gripping him, she bent slightly, her red lips brushing his ear as she whispered, "So Mr. Everett, care to name the day for our little secret rendezvous?"

As she spoke, her lips casually grazed his cheek.

The fleeting touch drew a chuckle from Julian.

He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled, pressing her flush against him. Evelyn felt the heat radiating off him.

Suddenly, her mind flashed back to their only encounter in her past life.

Back then, just like now, his eyes had held that same dangerous haze, his arms circling her as he murmured something outrageous.

She'd fixed him with an icy glare, but before she could react, Julian had released her with that trademark sly grin. "Just a game of truth or dare, Miss Knight. Hope you didn't mind." Behind them, his friends had whooped and teased. She remembered the contempt she'd swallowed, scoffing as he walked away.

"Thing is, Miss Knight," Julian murmured now, gently tilting her chin and snapping her back to the present, "I tend to take these invitations seriously. So."

He leaned in, his gaze locked on hers. They looked like a couple wrapped in passion, moments from a kiss. Julian stopped a breath away from her lips. His fingertip lightly traced her mouth as his voice dropped to a low rasp: "Don't play with me unless you're ready for the consequences."

"Who says I-"

Before Evelyn could retort, sudden footsteps pounded from the courtyard, followed by panicked shouts. Then came the sharp click of the gate unlocking.

Amusement flickered in Julian's eyes, but Evelyn was already moving. Slipping off her heels with one hand, she gripped his with the other.

"Run!!!"

Evelyn was pulling Julian along, running fast.

Trailing behind her, Julian glanced at their hands-her grip firm around his. With a casual movement, he adjusted his hand, interlacing their fingers tightly.

After what felt like forever, Evelyn tugged on his hand and finally came to a stop, gasping for breath. She waved her hand dismissively. "I can't... I seriously can't breathe anymore."

Julian stood at her side, eyes fixed on her with a look full of meaning.

Noticing his stare, Evelyn met his gaze directly. "Mr. Everett, wouldn't this count as a full-on wedding heist?"

She slightly raised their linked hands, her eyes flickering with calm confidence.

Julian's gaze darkened as it landed on their entwined fingers. A faint smirk played at his lips. "So what now? You want me to take responsibility?"

"Well," Evelyn tilted her head, "I guess that's not off the table. But I'm more curious-what made me lured you into crashing the wedding?"

Everyone in Lichester knew how crazy Evelyn had been about Nathaniel.

As that thought crossed his mind, Julian suddenly let go of her hand, expression cooling. "Surely, you're not blind enough to fall for someone like me-a useless rich guy with nothing to offer."

"I mean, blind's the right word," Evelyn said dryly, mocking herself.

Blind enough to fall for a wolf in sheep's clothing like Nathaniel.

Julian's face turned icy in a second.

Evelyn kept going. "Mistaking a worthless rock for a diamond... At least now I can still back out. Don't you think?"

Eyes locked on her, Julian raised a brow. "Mind if I make a wild guess? Are you... into me now?"

Evelyn gave him a once-over from head to toe. "Voice? Hot. Face? Hot. Body? Also hot. Wow, you're surprisingly my type."

Julian let out a cold laugh. "Didn't realize you were this shallow, Miss Knight."

Evelyn: ..

"If I'm not mistaken," Julian leaned in with a mocking smile, "wasn't it you in that recent interview who said you'd never go for someone like me?"

His tone dropped a few notches. "In your eyes, I was just another spoiled, useless heir."

As he spoke, Evelyn finally got what it meant to shoot yourself in the foot.

That interview-someone had brought Julian up just to compare him with Nathaniel. And back then, all she could see was Nathaniel.

So yeah... That backfired hard.

Her expression shifted slightly. Clearing her throat, she met Julian's mocking gaze. "Well, people change. I happen to like your type now-is that a crime?"

Julian laughed out loud. "Not at all. Just didn't expect the mighty Miss Knight to switch so fast."

One corner of Evelyn's mouth twitched. She smiled sweetly but fired back, "They say women are impossible to figure out. So, give me a shot?"

"A shot?" Julian echoed, eyes crinkling. "You mean, a chance to chase me?"

Looking at that smug face, Evelyn suddenly grinned and crooked a finger at him.

As he bent down, curious, she chuckled. "Actually, Mr. Everett, you've got it wrong."

Julian frowned, about to ask what she meant, when her words hit him like a truck.

"What I'm asking is... give me a shot at being Mrs. Everett."

Her breath brushed against his ear, warm and teasing.

Julian froze, then quickly stepped back away from her.

His stare turned cold. His lips parted slightly. "Miss Knight... have you completely lost your mind?"