Francis_Oluchi

Love. Devotion. Obsession. How far would you go to keep the one you love?

Ella Williams has spent her life surviving. Orphaned at five and raised by an abusive aunt, she clawed her way out of darkness, building a thriving business and a life of independence. But one thing has always remained just out of reach—Zack Sinclair, her best friend and secret love. He was the one person who made her feel safe, the one man she thought would eventually see her.

But he never did.

For years, she watched him cycle through women, never once realizing that she was right there, waiting. And just when she finally starts to let go, when she allows herself to look beyond him—she meets Leo Carter.

Leo is everything Zack isn’t. Steady. Devoted. A man who looks at Ella like she’s the only woman in the world. For the first time in her life, she feels wanted. Chosen. Loved.

And she will do anything to keep it that way.

But love, for Ella, isn’t just affection—it’s possession.

When Zack realizes his own feelings too late, when Leo’s mother and best friend disapprove, when old flames from his past try to return, Ella doesn’t see these as mere obstacles.

She sees threats.

And threats must be eliminated.

As her obsession grows, the line between love and madness blurs. She has fought too hard, suffered too much, to lose the only man who has ever made her feel whole. And if she has to manipulate, destroy, or even kill to keep Leo by her side, so be it.

Because in Ella’s mind, Leo isn’t just the love of her life.

He is hers. Forever.

But what happens when the perfect obsession turns into the perfect nightmare?

The Perfect Obsession

The week leading up to my date with Leo felt like a blur of work and emotions I couldn't untangle. Zack had grown distant after the party, his usual carefree banter replaced by awkward silences and vague excuses about being busy.

I tried not to read into it. Zack was my best friend, not my keeper. He had no right to act possessive, especially considering his revolving door of girlfriends. Still, something about his sudden shift gnawed at me.

And then there was Leo. His texts had been casual but thoughtful, each message making me anticipate our upcoming drinks a little more than I wanted to admit.

The bar Leo chose was chic but intimate, tucked away from the bustling downtown scene. Warm lighting cast a cozy glow over polished wooden tables, and soft jazz hummed in the background.

Leo spotted me immediately as I walked in, rising from his seat with that effortless smile of his. "Ella."

"Leo." I smiled back, trying to ignore the quick flutter in my chest.

"You look amazing." His eyes swept over my fitted black dress, the compliment smooth but sincere.

"Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself," I teased, nodding toward his crisp navy button-up and tailored slacks.

He pulled out a chair for me, and once we were seated, the conversation flowed as easily as the drinks. Leo had an easy way about him, balancing charm with genuine interest.

"So, what made you start your lip care brand?" he asked between sips of his whiskey.

"It was kind of a necessity at first," I admitted. "I wanted something I couldn't find on the market, and one thing led to another. It grew faster than I expected."

"Sounds like passion turned into purpose."

"Exactly," I said, surprised by how well he captured it. "What about you? What's your story?"

"Business consulting wasn't exactly my childhood dream," he admitted with a chuckle. "But I enjoy helping people refine their ideas, turn visions into reality."

"Sounds like you're good at reading people."

"I try." His eyes met mine, a spark of something unspoken passing between us.

For a moment, I forgot about the chaos of my past, the complicated emotions surrounding Zack, and the guarded part of me that always kept people at a distance.

Leo made me feel seen—not as the polished businesswoman I presented to the world, but as someone real, flaws and all.

We stepped out of the bar, the cool night air brushing against my skin.

"Let me walk you to your car," Leo offered, his hand resting lightly on my back.

We strolled in comfortable silence, the night unusually quiet for the city. When we reached my car, I turned to face him, unsure of how to say goodbye without sounding awkward.

"Me too." His gaze lingered, intense but gentle. "So… when's round two?"

I laughed softly. "Already planning ahead?"

"Always." His grin softened into something more serious. "I'd really like to see you again, Ella."

"Then I guess you will," I said, heart pounding.

Before I could overthink it, Leo leaned in, brushing his lips softly against my cheek. It wasn't a kiss, not really—but the promise of one hung in the air between us.

"Goodnight, Ella," he said, his voice low.

As I drove home, my mind swirled with thoughts of him—and a tiny voice reminding me that Zack wouldn't be happy about this. But for the first time, I didn't care.

Because this time, I was living for me.

Chapter Three: A Tangled Web