Bound by lies Trapped by Desire novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Elena’s POV:

My feet halted instantly on the threshold as my eyes fell on the unexpected and disturbing scene in the living room.

My eyes followed the man groaning on the floor–his face bloodied and bruised beyond immediate recognition. Rope coiled tightly around his limbs, cutting into skin turned red and raw.

I sucked in a breath, heart racing.

“What the hell… are you doing here? And what the fuck is this?” My voice came out a notch louder than I intended, cracking slightly at the edge from the sheer absurdity of what I was witnessing.

Then my gaze shifted–and I saw her.

My mother.

She stood at the edge of the dining table, her hand gripping the chair beside her like it was the only thing keeping her upright. Her eyes met mine slowly, and what I saw in them made my chest cave in.

Sadness.

And worse–anger.

Anger directed not at the stranger, not at the bleeding man on the floor, but at me.

Before 1 could open my mouth again, another voice cut through the silence–cool, mocking, and all too familiar.

“Did you know your husband had set a spy on you?” Sergei Morozov, seated with maddening composure like this was all some twisted Sunday afternoon game, looked up at me, lips curled in satisfaction.

I glared at him. “What he does, or what I do, is none of your business,” I snapped. “And yes. I was aware.”

That’s when realization dawned on me. I turned quickly to the man on the floor, squinting past the blood and grime, the smears dark against his face. And then the shape of him struck me like a jolt of electricity to the chest.

“Benjamin?” Right. This was one of Nikolai’s men. I’d seen him around the university blending into the background multiple times.

Fuck. I crouched down, my hands reaching for the ropes that were cutting deep into his wrists. “What the hell did you do to him?” I growled, fingers tugging but the knots were cruel and tight, fraying at the edge with dried blood.

I looked up at the silent brute standing next to Sergei. “Cut this rope. Now.” I barked, tone sharp.

The guard didn’t move.

Typical.

I turned my icy stare to Sergei, who looked faintly amused by my outrage. He lifted his hand lazily and made a small waving motion with his fing then did the guard kneel and pull out a thin blade from inside his blazer.

With one quick movement, the ropes were severed. Benjamin groaned as he collapsed slightly, his limbs finally released.

I turned just in time to see my mother’s lips tremble. Her voice wavered as she finally asked, “What the hell is going on, Elena?”

I straightened slowly, my spine feeling like it was made of glass.

The question should’ve sent me spiraling–but I didn’t. I felt strangely calm. The chaos was already unfolding. The worst was already happening. And I

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16:11 Sun 27.40 U GO

Chapter 85

was too tired to panic anymore.

I drew in a slow breath. “Mom… please. Sit down first.”

She looked as if she might argue, but then she caught my expression and nodded, moving gingerly to one of the dining chairs. Her hands were tremblin

My attention flicked back to Benjamin, who was now struggling to rise. His hand went to his blazer pocket. I stepped forward instinctively my voice firmer now. “Don’t.”

He froze.

I already knew what was hidden beneath that fabric. I could see the outline of a gun.

“Don’t do anything unnecessary. Please.”

He looked at me, his eyes murky with pain and loyalty. I scanned him for any injuries beyond the obvious, but aside from the limp and cuts, he seemed by some miracle–intact.

“You should go to the hospital,” I muttered, sighing. “Call the driver that just dropped me off. Let him take you.”

He hesitated.

“I’m fine, ma’am. I can’t leave this place until I’m sure you’re safe.”

I stared at him for a long second. Then shook my head. “Fine. Whatever. Do what you want.”

I was too tired to argue. I just wanted the air cleared, the questions answered, and the tension gone from my mother’s eyes.

Sergei leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.

“Are you done?” he asked, voice casual as if we were wrapping up a polite brunch.

I didn’t bother dignifying that with emotion. “Seems like it,” I muttered as I walked to the couch and slumped down.

But he wouldn’t leave me in peace. Of course not.

“You were with him, weren’t you?” he asked, eyes narrowing at my obviously damp hair. “Even after everything you learned about him. You’re still going to stay with that bastard?”

I snorted, too drained to pretend anymore. “What I decide to do with Nikolai is none of your business.”

He stood then. His voice firm, colder. “As your biological father, it is very much my business.”

I laughed, sharp and humorless. “You’ve been spouting this nonsense since yesterday. Do you have any proof?”

It was stupid to ask that. A last ditch effort. Praying that instead of my father he turned out to be some distant relative. Because unfortunately, he looked too similar to me for him to not be a relative.

He didn’t answer. Instead, his bodyguard stepped forward and pulled something out–a thin black folder.

The kind that looked clinical, Medical.

My blood turned to ice.

I didn’t even get the chance to open it.

Because before I could move, a hand snatched it from my grip with such speed that I staggered back slightly.

“Mom?”

2/3

Chapter 85

Beatrix stood with the file clutched in both hands. Her face pale. Her lips pressed into a fight, trembling line. Her eyes rimmed with red the oper file and scanned it rapidly. Her breath hitched. Then she bit her lip and covered her mouth with one shaking hand.

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