Bound to my Enemy Chapter 35

By the ti the music shifts again, my head feels like it’s packed full with cotton.

Not spinning anymore, just heavy and pressed in from the inside.

I keep my posture straight anyway. Shoulders back. Chin level. Ivy’s voice echoes in my head, telling not to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing fold.

Zane stands a step away from , close enough that I can feel the heat coming off him, far enough that it’s obvious we aren’t pretending to be anything soft.

Lucas doesn’t move far either. He’s hovering, pretending not to be, eyes sharp every ti I shift my weight.

I’m tired.

Not the kind of tired sleep fixes. The kind that sinks into your bones and makes everything feel slower.

My grandfather catches my eye from across the room.

I know what it ans.

I straighten, take a breath, and step toward him. Zane notices imdiately. Of course he does.

"Where are you going?" he asks quietly.

"To end this night," I reply. "Before I do sothing embarrassing. Like collapse."

His jaw tightens. "You’re not funny."

"I’m not trying to be."

Lucas falls into step beside . "We’re leaving," he says flatly to Zane, daring him to argue.

Zane doesn’t rise to it. He follows anyway.

My grandfather is standing near the edge of the hall now, glass gone, hands folded behind his back. He looks exactly as he always does when sothing has gone according to plan.

"Elaine," he says.

"Yes, Grandpa."

"You did well tonight."

That almost makes laugh. Almost.

"Thank you."

His gaze flicks to Zane, then back to . "This is only the beginning. There’s still much to prepare."

Zane speaks before I can. "We’ll handle it."

My grandfather nods once. "Good."

Then he looks at again. "The engagent party will be held in one week."

The words sit heavy in my chest.

"One week," I repeat.

"You’ll be present," he adds. "Both of you.

I nod because that’s what’s expected. Because anything else would turn into a conversation I don’t have the energy for.

"Yes, Grandpa."

"That will be all," he says, already dismissing us.

Lucas’s hand presses lightly at my back as we turn to leave. Protective. Familiar. It grounds more than I want to admit.

The walk out feels longer than the walk in.

People watch us go. I feel it on my skin. Curiosity. Speculation. A few smiles that don’t reach eyes.

Zane stays quiet beside

Once we’re past the doors and the night air hits my face, I inhale deeply.

I hadn’t realized how tightly I’d been holding myself together until that mont.

Lucas stops near the steps. "You riding with ," he says. Not a question.

Zane answers instead. "She’s riding with ."

I close my eyes briefly.

Here we go.

"No," I say. "I’m not."

They both look at .

"I’m tired," I continue. "I don’t have the energy for another argunt tonight. I’m going with Lucas."

Zane’s expression hardens. "That’s not how this works."

I et his gaze. "It is tonight."

A beat passes.

Then another.

Finally, he steps back. Just one step. But it feels like a concession.

"Fine," he says. "For now."

I don’t thank him.

Lucas opens the car door for , watching Zane the entire ti like he expects him to change his mind and lunge.

Before I get in, Zane speaks again.

"One week," he says quietly.

I pause, hand on the door.

"I heard him."

"This isn’t sothing you can half-show up for," he adds. "If you’re going to do this, do it properly."

I look back at him. Really look.

"At least we agree on sothing," I say. "I don’t do anything halfway."

His eyes narrow slightly.

I slide into the car with ivy behind and shut the door.

As Lucas pulls away, I glance back through the window.

Zane is still standing there.

Watching us leave.