[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-bound-to-my-enemy":3,"chapter-bound-to-my-enemy-bound-to-my-enemy-chapter-205":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},1600143,2067,"Chapter 205.","bound-to-my-enemy-chapter-205",205,"\u003Cp>\"Before this gets out,\" he continues, like I didn’t even speak. \"Before the media catches wind of it. Before the board starts asking questions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There it is....there’s no concern.Not are you okay?Not what happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just.... Worried about his reputation and image.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My jaw clenches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not going back right now,\" I say, my voice lower now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a pause then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not going back?\" he repeats, like I just said something ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence stretches for a second then his tone drops....dangerously quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elaine... don’t be foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I close my eyes briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just got kidnapped,\" I say, the words coming out sharper now. \"I was tied up, beaten, starved....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you’re alive,\" he interrupts flatly. \"So what is the problem now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That....That does it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s your response?\" I ask, disbelief creeping into my voice. \"That’s all you have to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re being emotional,\" he replies, dismissive. \"What matters now is fixing this situation before it spirals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a short, humorless laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fixing it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" he says firmly. \"Go back to your husband’s house. Stand by him. Present a united front. That is how these things are handled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My fingers curl tighter around the phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not some pawn you can just move around when it’s convenient,\" I say quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are part of this family, we al have responsibilities to keep this family standing..\" he snaps. \"And you will act like it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a long pause\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need a little time,\" I say finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" he replies immediately. \"You don’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My patience snaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said I need time!\" I raise my voice, my chest rising and falling faster now. \"I’m not stepping foot back into that house right now. I don’t care what the board thinks or what the media might say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a sharp exhale from his end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re making a mistake,\" he says coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe,\" I reply. \"But it’s mine to make.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another pause then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If this escalates,\" he warns, \"you will be responsible for whatever consequences follow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t respond immediately because part of me knows he’s not bluffing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I also know..... i can’t go back now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I’ll deal with it,\" I say finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before he can say anything else.....i hang up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence that follows feels loud as I lower the phone slowly, staring at nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart is still beating fast but beneath all that....There’s something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t bend....not this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m still sitting there when there’s a soft knock on the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t answer immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elaine?\" Ivy’s voice comes through, gentle, careful. \"Can I come in?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sigh quietly. \"Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door creaks open and she steps in, peeking at me first like she’s checking my mood before committing to the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes scan my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened?\" she asks, walking closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shake my head. \"It’s Nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gives me a look, lik she’s buying it but she doesn’t push....instead , she shifts a little awkwardly, then says, \"Um... Lucas wants to see you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My brows pull together slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nods. \"Yeah. He’s downstairs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something in her tone feels... off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exhale slowly and push myself off the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walk downstairs feels longer than usual with the feels like I already know what this is about and I don’t like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I get to the living room, Lucas is standing near the center table, his phone still in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah’s there too, leaning against the arm of the couch, arms crossed and both of them look up when I walk in and immediately.... I know sonmething’s wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it?\" I ask, stopping a few steps away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas doesn’t answer right away.. he just studies my face for a second, like he’s deciding how to say it. Then he exhales and runs a hand over his jaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandpa called,\" he says.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a quiet, humorless breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s eyes harden slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He didn’t ask,\" he says. \"He told.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My chest tightens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Told what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He steps closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Told me to send you back to Zane.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There it is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I fold my arms slowly across my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what did you say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas lets out a short scoff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you think I said?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a bite in his voice now.....anger but it’s not directed at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s at the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told him no.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relief flickers through me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah straightens slightly, stepping in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He didn’t like that,\" he adds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m sure he didn’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s jaw tightens again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He started talking about family reputation,\" he says. \"The board. The media. Same speech, different day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I roll my eyes slightly, irritation bubbling back up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah. I just got that call too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas pauses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You did?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nod. \"Just before Ivy came to get me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a brief silence then Noah exhales, shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That man...\" he mutters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas looks at me again, more serious now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He wasn’t just talking, Elaine,\" he says. \"He was threatening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My expression hardens slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas lifts his phone slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Said if we don’t send you back, he’ll make it a bigger issue.....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I look away for a second, my mind running...then I look back at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not going back.....not now atleast.\"I say firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas doesn’t even hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good,\" he replies\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That catches me off guard for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not pissed?\" I ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gives me a look like the answer should be obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah nods in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not being forced into anything,\" he adds. \"Not here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something in my chest loosens little more this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas steps closer, lowering his voice slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Listen to me,\" he says. \"Whatever pressure he tries to apply, we’ll handle it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I search his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You sure?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression hardens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m very sure. I’m your big brother I’ll protect you from anything \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a quiet confidence in the way he says it....the kind that doesn’t leave room for doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nod slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas studies me for a second longer, then his tone softens just a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You just focus on getting better,\" he says. \"We’ll deal with the rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time since that call....I feel like I’m not standing alone in it and that makes all the difference.\u003C\u002Fp>",1049,"2026-06-06T09:39:37.420Z",1,"novelbin.me","28d948c230f32d4644f13b53e983d3c58da9f953cd8faa5c2f00e986b5c9af6c","bound-to-my-enemy-chapter-206","bound-to-my-enemy-chapter-204",266,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbound-to-my-enemy-cover.jpg"]