Bound to my Enemy

Chapter 205.

"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."

There it is....there’s no concern.Not are you okay?Not what happened?

Just.... Worried about his reputation and image.

My jaw clenches.

"I’m not going back right now," I say, my voice lower now.

There’s a pause then...

"You’re not going back?" he repeats, like I just said something ridiculous.

"No."

Silence stretches for a second then his tone drops....dangerously quiet.

"Elaine... don’t be foolish.

I close my eyes briefly.

"I just got kidnapped," I say, the words coming out sharper now. "I was tied up, beaten, starved...."

"And you’re alive," he interrupts flatly. "So what is the problem now?"

That....That does it.

"That’s your response?" I ask, disbelief creeping into my voice. "That’s all you have to say?"

"You’re being emotional," he replies, dismissive. "What matters now is fixing this situation before it spirals."

I let out a short, humorless laugh.

"Fixing it?"

"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."

My fingers curl tighter around the phone.

"I’m not some pawn you can just move around when it’s convenient," I say quietly.

"You are part of this family, we al have responsibilities to keep this family standing.." he snaps. "And you will act like it."

There’s a long pause

"I need a little time," I say finally.

"No," he replies immediately. "You don’t."

My patience snaps.

"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."

Silence.

Then a sharp exhale from his end.

"You’re making a mistake," he says coldly.

"Maybe," I reply. "But it’s mine to make."

Another pause then...

"If this escalates," he warns, "you will be responsible for whatever consequences follow."

I don’t respond immediately because part of me knows he’s not bluffing.

But I also know..... i can’t go back now.

"Then I’ll deal with it," I say finally.

And before he can say anything else.....i hang up.

The silence that follows feels loud as I lower the phone slowly, staring at nothing.

My heart is still beating fast but beneath all that....There’s something else.

I didn’t bend....not this time.

I’m still sitting there when there’s a soft knock on the door.

I don’t answer immediately.

"Elaine?" Ivy’s voice comes through, gentle, careful. "Can I come in?"

I sigh quietly. "Yeah."

The door creaks open and she steps in, peeking at me first like she’s checking my mood before committing to the room.

Her eyes scan my face.

"What happened?" she asks, walking closer.

I shake my head. "It’s Nothing."

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."

My brows pull together slightly.

"Now?"

She nods. "Yeah. He’s downstairs."

Something in her tone feels... off.

I exhale slowly and push myself off the bed.

"Okay."

The walk downstairs feels longer than usual with the feels like I already know what this is about and I don’t like it.

When I get to the living room, Lucas is standing near the center table, his phone still in his hand.

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.

"What is it?" I ask, stopping a few steps away.

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.

"Grandpa called," he says.

Of course he did.

I let out a quiet, humorless breath.

"And?"

Lucas’s eyes harden slightly.

"He didn’t ask," he says. "He told."

My chest tightens.

"Told what?"

He steps closer.

"Told me to send you back to Zane."

There it is.

I fold my arms slowly across my chest.

"And what did you say?"

Lucas lets out a short scoff.

"What do you think I said?"

There’s a bite in his voice now.....anger but it’s not directed at me.

It’s at the situation.

"I told him no."

Relief flickers through me.

Noah straightens slightly, stepping in.

"He didn’t like that," he adds.

I let out a dry laugh.

"I’m sure he didn’t."

Lucas’s jaw tightens again.

"He started talking about family reputation," he says. "The board. The media. Same speech, different day."

I roll my eyes slightly, irritation bubbling back up.

"Yeah. I just got that call too."

Lucas pauses.

"You did?"

I nod. "Just before Ivy came to get me."

There’s a brief silence then Noah exhales, shaking his head.

"That man..." he mutters.

Lucas looks at me again, more serious now.

"He wasn’t just talking, Elaine," he says. "He was threatening."

My expression hardens slightly.

"How?"

Lucas lifts his phone slightly.

"Said if we don’t send you back, he’ll make it a bigger issue....."

I look away for a second, my mind running...then I look back at him.

"I’m not going back.....not now atleast."I say firmly.

Lucas doesn’t even hesitate.

"Good," he replies

That catches me off guard for a second.

"You’re not pissed?" I ask.

He gives me a look like the answer should be obvious.

"No."

Noah nods in agreement.

"You’re not being forced into anything," he adds. "Not here."

Something in my chest loosens little more this time.

Lucas steps closer, lowering his voice slightly.

"Listen to me," he says. "Whatever pressure he tries to apply, we’ll handle it."

I search his face.

"You sure?"

His expression hardens.

"I’m very sure. I’m your big brother I’ll protect you from anything "

There’s a quiet confidence in the way he says it....the kind that doesn’t leave room for doubt.

I nod slowly.

"Okay."

Lucas studies me for a second longer, then his tone softens just a bit.

"You just focus on getting better," he says. "We’ll deal with the rest."

For the first time since that call....I feel like I’m not standing alone in it and that makes all the difference.