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

I should have been unsettled by the thoughts swirling in my mind after my confrontation with Zack. But the truth was, I felt lighter. Freer. My future was no longer tethered to some unspoken dream of him waking up and choosing me.

He was everything I never knew I wanted—grounded, charming, thoughtful. He didn't just see me; he wanted me. With him, I felt safe and desired in a way Zack had never made me feel.

And I wasn't going to let anyone jeopardize that.

The days following our second date blurred together as Leo and I fell into an easy rhythm of texts and phone calls that stretched late into the night. His laughter on the other end of the line soothed me, his deep voice wrapping around my thoughts until sleep claimed me.

One evening, after a long day of work, my phone buzzed with a message from him:

"How about dinner tomorrow night? My place. I'll cook."

The thought of being alone with him, away from prying eyes and interruptions, sent a thrill through me.

Leo's apartment was warm and inviting, filled with bookshelves and personal touches that spoke of a life lived fully. The aroma of garlic and herbs filled the air, mingling with the low hum of music playing softly in the background.

"You didn't have to go all out," I teased as he plated a beautifully cooked meal.

"I wanted to," he said simply, his eyes locking onto mine.

We ate together, the conversation flowing as easily as it had from the start. But tonight, something felt different—charged, intimate in a way that words couldn't quite capture.

After dinner, Leo poured us each a glass of wine, leading me to the couch. I curled up beside him, my nerves buzzing with anticipation.

"You've been quiet tonight," he observed, his hand resting lightly on my knee. "What's on your mind?"

"You," I admitted softly, my gaze meeting his. "You've been on my mind a lot lately."

A slow smile curved his lips. "Good. Because you're on mine too."

The distance between us disappeared as his lips found mine, soft but insistent. The taste of wine lingered on his mouth, intoxicating and addictive. My fingers tangled in his hair as the kiss deepened, every thought, every doubt fading away.

In that moment, all I knew was that I wanted more of him—needed more of him.

I lay awake in his bed, my head resting against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Leo was fast asleep, his arm draped possessively around my waist.

But sleep eluded me. My mind raced, the lingering warmth of his touch igniting something dangerous within me—a need not just to love him, but to possess him. Completely.

I thought of Zack and his sudden shift in feelings, of how easily he could try to insert himself between Leo and me. The idea made my stomach twist with rage. Zack had always been a constant in my life, but now he was a threat.

Then there was Leo's mother, who I hadn't met yet but already knew would judge me harshly. Men like Leo weren't supposed to fall for women like me—women with scars and secrets.

My fingers traced idle patterns on Leo's chest as a vow crystallized in my mind: I would protect what we had, no matter what it cost.

Because Leo wasn't just a man I loved—he was mine. And anyone who tried to take him away from me would regret it.

Chapter Six: All That Matters