Bound to my Enemy novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Chapter 54.

Elaine’s POV

By the time the music fades and Zane releases my waist, my smile feels glued on, my cheeks ache from holding it for so long. My pulse is still doing something stupid in my throat, but I refuse to let him see that. I step back first, creating space, smoothing my dress like nothing happened.

"I’m going to find my brothers," I say.

He doesn’t argue. He just nods once, jaw tight, his eyes unreadable again. That look where he puts himself back behind glass.

Fine by me, not like I care

I turn and slip into the crowd before he can say anything else.

The room feels louder now. I weave through clusters of people who look at me a second too long.

I spot Noah first near one of the tall cocktail tables, his jacket off, sleeves rolled up, drink in hand. Caleb is with him, laughing at something someone says. Lucas is nowhere in sight, which immediately makes me suspicious.

I slide up beside Noah and take his glass without asking

"Hey hey" he says. "That’s mine."

"Was," I reply, taking a sip. "You’re so generous."

Caleb grins. "You did good sunshine."

"Barely," I say. "Where’s Ivy?"

They exchange a look.

Here we go.

"She had a thing," Noah says.

"A thing," I repeat flatly.

"An important thing," Caleb adds quickly. "School -related."

I narrow my eyes. "If you tell me she suddenly developed a fever or had an exam or needed to water plants, I swear..."

"She’s fine," Noah cuts in. "Promise. She just... didn’t want to come tonight."

That softens something in my chest. Ivy has never liked rooms like this. Too many expectations of her, too many eyes.

"Tell her I’ll call her tomorrow," I say. "And that I missed her here."

Caleb nods. "She knows."

I hand Noah his glass back and glance around again. "Okay. Where’s Lucas?"

They both turn.

I follow their line of sight and immediately groan.

Lucas is in the corner near the balcony doors, leaning casually against the wall like he doesn’t know exactly what he’s doing. He’s talking to a woman in a fitted emerald dress, her hand resting lightly on his arm. She’s laughing at something he says, head tilted, eyes bright.

I squint.

No way... No freaking way

I don’t even think. I just move.

"Are you kidding me," I mutter, already halfway across the room. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Lucas spots me a second too late.

"Elaine....."

"Don’t," I say, stepping between them. Then I really look at her.

My stomach flips.

"Claire?"

Her eyes widen. "Elaine?"

We stare at each other for half a beat, then both of us break at the same time.

"Oh my God, oh my freaking god" she laughs. "Look at you."

"Look at you," I fire back. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Lucas blinks between us. "You two know each other?"

"We were almost inseparable," Claire says. "Freshman and sophomore year."

"Until I transferred," I add. "And then life happened."

She shakes her head, smiling. "I can’t believe this."

Lucas clears his throat awkwardly. "I was just... uh..."

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