Bound by lies Trapped by Desire novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Elena’s POV:

The blood test was the first thing she ordered. It was standard procedure, of course, and Dr. Beckett had always been thorough. After years of treating me, after witnessing every flu, every scar, every haunting flare–up of the condition I thought I’d buried under ironclad control, she still looked at me like was that same shivering right year–old girl who used to flinch at needles. Now? I didn’t even blink,

She set the cotton pad against my arm, tapped my inner elbow, slid the needle in. It was nothing. Just pressure. Just another moment in a string of thousands I’d been dragging my body through lately.

“We’ll have the result back soon,” she said gently, standing and pulling off her gloves, “In the meantime, I want you to think carefully, Elena

She walked to the cabinet. Her heels clicked softly against the vinyl floor. Everything in this room was clean. Sterile. I nodded, barely hearing her as she turned, latex snapping between her fingers.

“And,” she added, more softly now, “we should remove your IUD right now, it’s a short five minute process. But if you’re pregnant and you’re even considering keeping it…” She trailed off, her voice softening, “it could cause complications, Pain Miscarriage. You don’t need added risk right now.”

I swallowed and gave a small nod. My heart thudded, slow and uncertain, but I didn’t argue. I didn’t have the energy to

She guided me through the process quickly. A nurse helped set things up while I changed into the provided gown. The whole thing felt surreal–like I was floating just above my body, watching everything happen to someone else.

True to her word, it was over fast. Five minutes. A little pain. Some pressure. Nothing I hadn’t already been through.

“Alright,” she said afterward, handing me a glass of water and a set of mild painkillers. “You’ll feel some cramping for the next couple hours. Try to rest And avoid any heavy activity.”

She tapped the prescription paper lightly against her palm, then offered it to me with a thoughtful look. “I’m also giving you something for the nausea, And if you need anything–anything at all–you call me,”

I nodded, gripping the edge of the chair as I sat upright slowly. My body ached in places thadn’t expected, but it was bearable. Numbing, even

“Thanks,” I murmured, voice quieter than I intended.

She handed me the necessary papers–medications, instructions, diagrams I didn’t want to look at–and i held them in a trembling hand as I left the

ccam room.

“Take your time,” she said gently from behind me. “But Elena… the law only allows elective termination before twelve gestational weeks. You have time. But not much.”

“Okay I nodded, unsure what else to say.

I stepped out into the hallway, still gripping the papers in both hands, unable to hear anything beyond the static roar in my ears.

And then I stopped, I froze.

Because standing right outside the waiting room, directly in front of Malakai, was him.

Nikolai.

My lungs locked up

No. No, no, no–he wasn’t supposed to be here. Why was he here? I backed up quickly, panic clamping down on my ribs like a vice. My mind scrambled to react, to think, to hide what I was holding I twisted away, turned my shoulder to shield the papers and shoved them deep into my rucksack. Thank god I’d had the sense to bring it inside,

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Chapter 96

My heart thundered as Iyanked out my phone, the screen glowing to life with his name flashing in unread notifications:

Nikod

Elenia. Where are you? (2 hours ago!

Why are you at the clinic? (30 minutes ago)

Are you okay? (15 minutes ago)

Please answer me. (10 minutes ago)

If you don’t pick up, I’m coming in. (5 minutes agol

I’m worried about you.

I closed my eyes and exhaled shakily, pressing the phone to my chest.

He was here. He’d come.

I turned slowly, trying to compose myself, trying to mask the tsunami of emotions crashing through me–fear, guilt, anger, sadness–Too late.

A hand settled on my shoulder, andif

I flinched.

“Elena,” he said, his voice lower than usual. There was a thread of concern laced through it. “Are you okay?”

My body jerked slightly at the contact, and I turned my face up to look at him. His features were drawn tight, jaw clenched, brows pinched with worry. His eyes scanned mine, then dropped briefly to my chest, concern deepening.

Of course. He thought it was my illness.

He had to. It made sense. That was a good thing.

“Just a cold,” I lied easily, stepping away. “Season’s changing and all that. Why are you here?”

“I called you.” He frowned. “You didn’t answer.”

There w

was a pause.

His expression changed then–just subtly. His gaze softened but dimmed, like something inside him sagged.

“So now you won’t even bother picking up my phone?”

I stared at him for a long moment. He looked so tired. And not in the disheveled, sleep–deprived way. This was deeper, Soul–deep. It made my chest ache in a way I didn’t want to name.

“Nikolai,” I whispered. “I don’t know what to tell you, okay? If I wanted you here, I would’ve answered.”

He looked at me like I’d kicked the floor out from under him.

Thad to look away. I couldn’t keep staring at him when I felt this raw, this… violated by my own body I couldn’t afford him seeing the tears burning behind my eyes or how badly I was shaking under this calm.

Because it I cracked even a little, he’d know

And if he knew, he’d probably never forgive me. The worried look on his face when he’d asked about the chances of my IUD failing flashed in my mind.

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Chapter 96

I didn’t even know if I could forgive myself if i actually told him the truth,

“I meant it, you know?” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat. “When I said it was ever. The contract. The marriage. All otit

“Elena-”

“Listen to me.” My veice was stronger now, firmer, a strange fury giving me backbone. “You said I could leave. You said the contract was done. So please please–stay out of my life now. Tell your people to stop following me. I know you’re still having the watched”

His mouth opened, then shut. He looked away briefly, jaw tightening.

“I can’t do that.”

I clenched my lists.

“And why not?

He stopped forward slightly, enough to close the space between us by inches

“Because,” he said, voice low, eyes burning into mine, “you’re still my wife. And I can’t guarantee your safety otherwise.”

Wile.”

The word stabbed through me like a dull blade. I turned my head, unable to look at him any longer. Behind him, I saw Malakal standing with his arms folded, leaning casually against the wall. He didn’t interfere didn’t move–but his presence reminded me I wasn’t here alone. As stupid as that sounded.

Because what I was about to say? I needed strength.

I’d already lost most of my dignity. I’d rather not lose the rest of it by becoming a damsel in distress

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