Bound to my Enemy novel Chapter 249

Chapter 249: Chapter 249.

"Lucas!"

"I’m serious."

I groan and drag a hand through my hair aggressively.

"You cannot tell me all this life-altering information and then just refuse to explain!"

"I absolutely can."

"You’re evil."

"Runs in the family."

Despite everything, a weak laugh almost escapes me.

MBut my mind is spinning too fast for humor to properly settle.

"What if it’s someone close to us?" I ask quietly after a moment.

Lucas doesn’t answer immediately and honestly?

That silence tells me enough, fear creeps slowly into my chest again beecause deep down...i think I already know that too.

Whoever did this knew too much, not just security details, personal details too

This was planned by somebody who understands us, maybe even somebody we trust.

The thought makes my skin crawl.

"El."

I blink, realizing I zoned out.

"Yeah?"

"Be careful."

Something in his tone makes me straighten slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean trust nobody fully right now except the people you absolutely know."

My stomach sinks.

"That’s terrifying advice."

"It’s necessary advice."

I close my eyes briefly, eeverything suddenly feels unstable again, like danger is still sitting inside this house somewhere just waiting patiently.

"I’ll figure it out," Lucas says finally. "I just need time."

"Lucas..."

"You’ll know when I know for sure."

I sigh heavily in frustration.

"You’re unbelievably annoying."

"I learned from Noah and Caleb."

"That actually explains a lot."

His laugh comes quieter this time.

Then softer now:

"I love you, El."

My chest tightens instantly.

"I love you too."

"Stay safe."

Before I can say anything else, the call ends and I lower the phone slowly and stare at the blank screen for several seconds.

Rain continues drizzling softly outside, the wind brushes cold against my skin but I barely feel any of it anymore, beecause my mind is too busy replaying everything Lucas just said. Someone framed Zane, someone used my codes, Someone close to us betrayed us.

And somehow... i hav the horrible feeling things are only just beginning.

———

The sky is gray the morning of Margaret’s funeral.

Just dull and heavy, like even the weather understands what today is. The cemetery is quiet except for the soft sound of shoes brushing against damp grass and the occasional murmur from people speaking in low voices. Security stands scattered around the area in dark suits, alert and watchful without being obvious about it.

Zane made sure of that after r everything that happened, nobody is taking chances anymore. Still, despite all the armed men and surveillance, the place feels painfully intimate.

Small and personal.

Exactly how Margaret would’ve wanted it, only close people are here, a few trusted workers from the estate.

And Zane beside me, tall and silent in an all-black suit, his injured arm still stiff at his side no matter how much he pretends he’s fine.

The casket sits a few feet away surrounded by white flowers.

White roses mostly.

I stare at them too long...Margaret loved white roses.

My fingers tighten harder around Zane’s hand.

He glances down at me briefly but doesn’t say anything.

Honestly, I’m grateful for that.

Because the second someone asks if I’m okay, I think I’ll completely fall apart.

Ivy’s hand rubs slowly up and down my back from where she stands behind me, trying to comfort me while quietly crying herself or trying to cry quietly.

She keeps sniffling every few seconds before aggressively wiping at her face.

"This is so unfair," she whispers brokenly behind me.

That almost does me in.

I bite down hard on the inside of my cheek, staring straight ahead at the casket because if I blink too long the tears will start again.

And once they start, I genuinely don’t think I’ll stop.

The priest continues speaking softly nearby, his voice blending into the cold morning air, but I barely hear any of it.

All I can think about is Margaret in the kitchen yelling at everyone for skipping breakfast.

Margaret fixing Zane’s tie while insulting him lovingly.

Margaret bringing me tea the first time I cried in this house.

Margaret laughing.

Margaret alive.

God.

My chest hurts so badly.

"She really loved you, you know," Ivy whispers behind me suddenly.

Love.

Margaret left so much of it behind, enough that even standing here burying her...We can still feel it.

After the burial, people slowly begin leaving in small groups, quiet condolences floating through the cold afternoon air. The workers head toward their cars while security stays alert around the cemetery.

Beside me, Zane squeezes my hand once before letting go.

"I’ll be back shortly love, " he murmurs softly.

I nod, d watching him walk toward a few older men waiting near the entrance. Even from here, he looks exhausted. Grief sits heavily on his shoulders no matter how composed he tries to appear.

I exhale shakily before pulling out my phone and stepping away slightly...I open the app to our family group chat and I hit the call button n

Lucas picks up first.

"You okay?" he asks immediately.

"No," I admit quietly. "But it’s okay I’m surviving."

Noah and Ivy join the call shortly after, checking on me one after another. That nearly starts me off too.

After calming down a little, I glance toward Zane again. He’s still speaking to the men, his expression unreadable.

Then I lower my voice.

"Lucas."

His tone shifts instantly.

"What is it?"

"I need you to look deeper into something."

A pause.

"What some thing?"

"The incident with Zane’s sister," I say quietly. "And... ubmmm you."

Lucas goes silent for a second.

"El." He says in a clear warning.

"Please."

"You really think there’s more to it?"

"I don’t know," I whisper honestly. "But after everything you found out... I can’t stop thinking about it."

I hear him exhale softly on the other end.

"You think someone manipulated and castigated that too?"

"I think somebody’s been destroying pieces of his life for a very long time."

Silence.

Then finally:

"Okay fine I’ll look into it."

Relief loosens something tight in my chest instantly.

"But," Lucas adds carefully, "you need to prepare yourself for whatever we find."

I look toward Zane again....at the tired slump of his shoulders, at the grief he’s carrying almost completely alone

"I know," I whisper softly. "I just need the truth now."