[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-bound-to-my-enemy":3,"chapter-bound-to-my-enemy-bound-to-my-enemy-chapter-161":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},1600099,2067,"Chapter 161.","bound-to-my-enemy-chapter-161",161,"\u003Cp>\"Great. Just great\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron rolls his shoulders slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And just so you know,\" he adds casually, \"he meant what he said.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Me not going easy on you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glare at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You Traitor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron smirks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ready?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raise my hands again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s get this over with.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron rolls his shoulders once, loosening them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright,\" he says.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stare at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re actually going to continue?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You heard him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron raises one eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sigh heavily and drag my hands down my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fantastic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestures to the mat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I step back onto it reluctantly, stretching my arms out a little to shake off the stiffness from earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron watches me carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ready?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moves first and Unlike Zane, Aaron doesn’t strike immediately. He circles me slowly, watching my stance like he’s studying a puzzle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your guard is too low,\" he says.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I can argue, he flicks his hand forward and taps my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That barely counts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Point proven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grit my teeth and tighten my guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron’s style is different from Zane’s. Zane fights like a storm....fast, aggressive and overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron is calmer and more calculated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He attacks suddenly, I block the first strike but the second, his foot sweeps lightly behind my ankle and I hit the mat with a dull thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He offers me a hand bt I slap it away and push myself up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron shrugs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your funeral.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next twenty minutes are brutal, every time I think I’ve improved something, Aaron dismantles it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My punches are too slow, my stance shifts too much and my balance is terrible. At one point he literally steps aside and lets me trip over my own momentum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hit the mat again hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh my God,\" I groan, staring up at the ceiling. \"This is humiliating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron crouches slightly above me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re improving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s a bloody lie.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve knocked me down seven times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eight,\" he corrects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sit up and glare at him\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re enjoying this aren’t you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a little.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I push myself back to my feet, breathing harder now. Sweat is sticking strands of hair to the back of my neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron watches me again, then he says something strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know he’s not doing this for fun right?.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He crosses his arms loosely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Training you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course he’s not doing it for fun. He’s doing it because he likes controlling people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron’s mouth twitches faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think that’s the reason?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shakes his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really don’t see it, do you?.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron hesitates and for a moment it looks like he might say something more. Then he steps back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Never mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh no,\" I say immediately. \"You don’t get to say that and walk away. What does that mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Focus on your stance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaron.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestures toward the mat again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stare at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re unbelievable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I raise my hands again anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We start circling but I’m distracted now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron doesn’t answer me he lunges forward suddenly and I barely block in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Focus.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am focusing!.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knocks my arm aside and lightly taps my ribs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I groan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you stop doing that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you stop leaving yourself open?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swing at him in frustration and he dodges easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You fight angry,\" he says.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am angry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can tell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another strike, another block and stumble. By the time we finally stop I’m exhausted and my arms feel like lead and my breathing is uneven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron tosses me a towel, that I catch it and wipe sweat from my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Remind me why I agreed to this again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said you didn’t want to be fragile.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah Right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron leans against the wall near the weight rack and for a moment neither of us speaks, then his phone buzzes, he glances down at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\" I ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He doesn’t answer immediately. Instead he types something quickly and slips the phone back into his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s going on?\" I ask again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron straightens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing you need to worry about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer does not reassure me, but before I can push further, the door opens again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane walks back in, his expression is darker than before like whatever he was Called for in his office didn’t go well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron pushes away from the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well?\" he asks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane doesn’t answer right away, Instead he looks at me then at Aaron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have a problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My stomach tightens slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of problem?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane ignores the question and turns to Aaron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thomas called again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron’s posture stiffens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did he find?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane runs a hand through his hair, clearly irritated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something about the crash.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air in the room changes instantly as the memory of that night flashes through my mind without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The screeching tires and the smell of smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about it?\" Aaron asks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane’s eyes flick to me briefly before returning to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They finally traced the source.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane’s jaw tightens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s the problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beat of silence passes..... then he says quietly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t think the hit wasn’t meant for Elaine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My head snaps up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron frowns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane’s voice drops slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was meant for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron says slowly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re sure?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The car that hit us was following my route that night,\" Zane explains. \"Not hers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart starts beating faster\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... the attack wasn’t about me at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane’s eyes darken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone wanted me dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence that follows feels heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaron crosses his arms thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did Thomas figure out who ordered it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane hesitates.....rhat hesitation sends a chill down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\" Aaron presses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane exhales slowly\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He has a lead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who?.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane’s gaze shifts briefly in my direction and something unreadable flickers in his expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looks back at Aaron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It might be Lucas.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My breath catches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1009,"2026-06-06T09:39:37.420Z",1,"novelbin.me","6673f9461c6c2368163acd1c0e6d4131a29033f24f61434c8634c0819cf72de7","bound-to-my-enemy-chapter-162","bound-to-my-enemy-chapter-160",266,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbound-to-my-enemy-cover.jpg"]