[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-bound-to-my-enemy":3,"chapter-bound-to-my-enemy-bound-to-my-enemy-chapter-137":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Bound to my Enemy",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1600075,2067,"Chapter 137.","bound-to-my-enemy-chapter-137",137,"\u003Cp>A muscle in his jaw ticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get back in position.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stares at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You wanted to train.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, and now I want to know why you’re acting like a pissed off bear that someone poked with a stick.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not none of your business.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh it absolutely is my business when you’re the one throwing me onto the mat every thirty seconds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrow slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re exaggerating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Am I?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I take a step toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve been slamming that punching bag like it owes you money since I walked in here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He says nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So something c clearly happened,\" I continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sigh dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re unbelievably stubborn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you’re unbelievably nosy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes I am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shrug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Glad we cleared that up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turns slightly, clearly intending to walk past me toward the punching bag again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I step right in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t walk away from em.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Move.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elaine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zane.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We stand there for a second, staring at each other like two people who absolutely refuse to back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re ve very exhausting,\" he mutters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you’re brooding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not brooding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re absolutely brooding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m training you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, you’re punching things because you’re mad about something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhales slowly through his nose, like he’s trying very hard not to lose his patience with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Last warning,\" he says.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looks at me and there’s something in his eyes that makes my stomach twist slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drop it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilt my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, definitely not my smartest moment today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His shoulders stiffen slightly bur instead of snapping immediately, he turns away from me again and walks over to the punching bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine!. If he thinks ignoring me is going to work....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I follow him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know what I think?\" I say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hits the bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think you’re upset about something.\" I say again\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And instead of dealing with it like a normal human being...::.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You decided beating me up during training would make you feel better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bag swings wildly now as Zane’s fists slam into it again and again and again, each punch harder than the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You done?\" he mutters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hits the bag again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know,\" I continue casually, \"someone told me something interesting this morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That punch lands harder, the chain rattling above us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elaine.....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About your sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next punch stops halfway, the bag swings slowly back toward him and his shoulders go completely still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uh oh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay, that definitely got his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I fold my arms again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So,\" I say carefully, \"today is the anniversary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He doesn’t turn around and for a second I wonder if he’s just going to keep ignoring me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his voice comes out quiet\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who told you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Martha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another silence stretches between us as the bag finally stops swinging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shift my weight slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... are you going to tell me why you’re acting like the world is ending?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zane.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sigh loudly, wondering what’s wrong with me and why I freaking care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know what? Fine if you don’t want to talk about it that’s your.....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s your brother’s fault!.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words come out so suddenly I actually blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane turns around slowly and the look on his face is different now. It’s not like the calm, controlled mask he usually wears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You heard me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stare at him dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes your brother. Little spitfire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you talking about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughs but it is short and humorless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course you are going to pretend you don’t know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I seriously do not .\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands drop to his sides. For a moment he just stands there like he’s deciding how much he wants to say..... then something in his expression snaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want to know why today matters?\" he says.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because today is the day my sister died.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I already know that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She didn’t die from some random accident or.... Some kind of illness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way he says it sends a chill up my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She was killed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word hangs heavy in the air between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Killed?\" I repeat quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes killed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shake my head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still don’t understand what that has to do with my brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane’s eyes lock onto mine coldly\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everything. It has everything to do with him\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My stomach tightens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean everything?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice drops lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The attack that killed her wasn’t meant for her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My chest tightens slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was meant for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The training room suddenly feels smaller and hotter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the people behind it?\" he continues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They were working with someone who wanted me gone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane holds my gaze for a long moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he says it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words hit me like someone shoved me backwards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You heard me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s.... that’s not possible at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression hardens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Believe whatever makes you feel better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My brothers wouldn’t, none of them would do that...:...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your brother funded and arranged the operation that led to her death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane laughs again but there’s nothing amused about the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your denial is impressive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Am I?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He takes one slow step closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want the truth?\" he says quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My sister was in the car with me that night.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My throat feels dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We were supposed to meet someone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looks past me slightly, like the memory is sitting somewhere over my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The car never made it there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bullets hit us before we even turned the corner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His jaw tightens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She didn’t even see it coming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room is completely silent now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the people who planned it,\" he finishes, \"had money coming from your family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My head shakes automatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You wanted to know why I’m in a bad mood today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes meet mine again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is why.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words sit between us like something heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>",1002,"2026-06-06T09:39:37.420Z",1,"novelbin.me","4a3e1975af46e08761db6deda90c39840961caccdf6b47721a6d30ea2c47b9b3","bound-to-my-enemy-chapter-138","bound-to-my-enemy-chapter-136",266,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbound-to-my-enemy-cover.jpg"]