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.