HE IS MY OBSESSION

firm. "I'll meet you tomorrow at the Civil Affairs Bureau at 11. Let's end this

her back with an unyielding force. She gasped as Caleb spun her around, hi

struggled against his grip, her emotions roiling like a storm, but he didn'

st her neck. "And didn't you just say you sold yourself

to retort, but the sensation of his lips on her neck silenced her. His kisses were deliberate

is chest. But his grip only tightened, and he pushed her b

rring in her eyes. "Is this what you think

torous body respond despite her mind screaming in protest. Elara gritted her teeth, her nails digging

e back to her: "Let me

their last night, why should she let him have th

k and pulling him down to her. Caleb froze for a moment, his eyes widening as she

red, his voice ting

ading through his hair as she pushed him onto his back. She climbed over him, her move

er seen her like this before-this passionate, this unguarded. The reserved, dutif

er voice low and breathless, a

"I didn't think you had it in you," he admitt

ent, or his cold heart, or the years she had wasted trying to gain his love. Tonight wasn'

g as much as their bodies connected. For Elara, it was an act of liberation-a

ictable, tame, and even submissive. But tonight, she shattered every pre

ss of the room. Caleb reached out as if to touch her, but she rolled away. T

against the cool floor. She gathered her robe, wrapping it tightly a

he wondered if he had truly understood her at all-or if he h

lute. "I'll see you at 11," she said, her tone

went in washroom to clean herself, leaving Cal

ake, her body aching from the events of the previous night. The fatigue weighed heavy on her limbs, a

ay the remnants of Caleb's touch, she had chosen to sleep in another room.

entuated her quiet dignity. Her face bore traces of her exhaustion, but she brushed on a lig

r. The usual opulence of the table seemed hollow, the silverware gleaming under the m

of the waiting area. The minutes ticked by slowly, each one amplifying t

s number, her fingers trembling slightly. He picked

pe

eady. "Caleb, I've been waiting here at the Civil Affairs

he spoke, his tone clippe

aring. "What do you mean you're out of the city?

personally handle it," he replied, his voice devoid

ou couldn't even inform me beforehan

ara, I don't have time for this. If

d respond, the

ng anger. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Caleb's dismissivenes

h an incoming call. It was Isla Thompson, her best

" Isla said cheerfully, her voice

then made her decision. "Sur

grateful for Isla's timely call. She needed the comfort of a friend, someone

sting a warm glow. Isla Thompson, the epitome of glamour and grace, sat poised on a plush armchair, her dazzling smile lighting u

ive florals and confidence. "Elara!" Isla exclaimed, her voice effervescent. "You're here! And might

ed her exhaustion. She sank into the chair across from Isla and picked up the glass of water

us to Elara's silence. "Honestly, I've been waiting for this day. Caleb

She knew Isla was right, but the weight of everything-the years spent trying to make her

er tone enthusiastic. "Alright, enough about him! Now that you're moving on, let me introduce you to some young, h

augh and shook her head. "Isla, t

in surprise. "Elara, darling, you deserve someone bette

determination. "Right now, I just want to focus on myself

resolve in Elara's tone. "You've

r years, I've lived under Caleb's shadow. I tried to win his love, tried to make things work, and what

softening. "I get it. And you're right. You don't need anyone to

the first genuine one she'd worn all d

up in a mock toast. "Here's to Elara Morgan-

as weathering. Though her heart still ached, she felt a flicker of hope. Sh