austenesque
EXCERPT--
"Pay up, Julian!" Marcus slapped Julian on the back, a triumphant grin splitting his face. "I knew you couldn't resist. 100 pounds, right? Told you she'd fall for the 'sensitive bad boy' routine, hook, line, and sinker."
Julian's back stiffened, a sudden, rigid posture. He turned slightly, and Ellie saw Marcus pressing a crisp 100-pound note into his hand, a smug, victorious smirk on his face. Her blood ran cold, freezing in her veins, turning to icy dread.
***
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Meet Eleanor "Ellie" Smith. Your average (?), shy, kind-hearted, slightly clumsy bookworm. She believes, with every fiber of her being, that genuine connection and kindness are the most important things in life. Her world is built on empathy, quiet strength, and the unwavering belief in the good in people.
Then there's Julian Thorne. Not-so-average. Bold. Ruthless. The kind of popular guy who walks into a room and owns it, radiating an icy confidence that chills everyone in his path. He wouldn't hesitate to crush anyone standing between him and success - after all, isn't that what's expected from the future head of Thorne & Sons, the most powerful empire in the city? He despises everything Ellie stands for. And it really doesn't help that she's best friends with his younger sister, Clara Thorne.
When their worlds collide, sparks don't just fly... they ignite a wildfire. A reluctant, undeniable pull draws them together, even as their opposing natures threaten to tear them apart.
But what does fate have in store for this unlikely pair?
Join me on a journey where enemies become... something more. Where every glance is charged, and every touch could either heal or shatter.
P.S. This is my very first story on Wattpad, and I'm pouring my heart into it! Your thoughts and feedback mean the world to me.
Best lifetime rankings #1 in #chubby, #24 in poorgirl, #45 in regrets