HE IS MY OBSESSION
iling bookshelves, and the faint aroma of aged leather hung in the air. A roaring fire crackled in the corner, though the warmth of the flames couldn't
rthur said, his tone h
s. It's time you step up and do yo
toned at the collar, his sleeves rolled up. The flickering firelight cast sharp shadows over his chisel
laced with mockery, "should I have
sed to knock, but Caleb's words stopped her cold. Her breath hitched, her heart pounding painfully against her ribs. Her
forward in his chair
tongue, boy,
honorable, loyal woma
er laugh, his lips c
th irony. He straightened, setting the glass
and I will never have a child
"You ungrateful fool! Your arrogance will be your downfall! T
she pressed herself against a nearby credenza, her side scraping against its sharp corner. The sudden sting of pain spread across her waist, bu
Blackwell, the woman who had been an unspoken presence in her marriage since the beginning. Elara
in name, but his heart is mine. And soon, we'll h
night, she had received a text from Sienna Blackwell, Caleb's lover. The message was simple-a photo, a mirror selfie. Sienna stood in casual silk pajamas, her smirk smug as ever. But it wasn't her
able, and Sienna's accompanying w
. Morgan. You have the ring, but
ore messages, more taunts, each one a cruel reminder of where Caleb's affections truly lay. And through it all, Elara had
ed in her mind, that hope felt like a cruel
osing frame filled the doorway, his black attire stark against the warm hues of the r
pping, Elara? Or did you just happen to be standing
e said nothing, her eyes dartin
rs gripping her chin firmly,
up to this?" he asked, hi
certainly improv
could speak, he cut her off, h
chasing the title of Mrs. Morgan. You've enjoyed that privilege well enough
-" she started, he
terrupted, his voi
re not plotting something? Don't insu
ut you so I will tell again his words are sharp, almos
he right to have
e hope of a family, the possibility of something more, is like a final, devastating blow. She feels he
him, her tears th
whisper, "in all these years... have y
it hardened. He released her chin, stepping
he said simply, his v
allowed hard, forcing down the sob rising in her throat. The weight
ightened, drawing
ftly, her voice steady despite
finally being h
footsteps quiet but resolute. Her heart felt like it was splinte
r of something-guilt, regret, or perhaps something deeper-crossed his features.