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

If Leo noticed the subtle shift in me, he never said a word. To him, I was still the same woman who smiled softly when he teased me, who blushed under his steady gaze. But beneath that surface, something darker brewed—a need to control, to ensure no one could threaten what we were building.

Others were beginning to notice, though.

Zack, for one, had grown wary, his once lighthearted jabs replaced by probing questions and lingering glances. Even my best friend, Hannah, who had always supported me without question, was starting to voice her concerns.

"You've been different lately," she said one afternoon over coffee.

"Different how?" I asked, forcing my voice to remain casual.

"I don't know… intense, maybe?" She stirred her drink absently. "Like everything's either perfect or a total disaster to you."

I laughed lightly, brushing her words aside. "I've just been busy with work—and Leo. New relationships take time, you know?"

She studied me for a moment before smiling. "I guess you're right. I'm just not used to seeing you so… focused on one person."

"Leo's different," I said simply, meaning every word.

"Well, as long as you're happy." Hannah's voice was gentle, but her eyes hinted at lingering doubt.

Letter that week, Zack's growing unease became impossible to ignore. He cornered me after a business meeting I had attended as a consultant for his company, his expression unreadable.

"We need to talk," he said firmly.

"About?" I kept my tone light, pretending not to notice the tension radiating off him.

I stiffened, narrowing my eyes. "What about him?"

Zack ran a hand through his hair, frustration flickering across his face. "I've never seen you like this, Ella. You've always been independent, strong—but now it's like you're… obsessed."

"That's ridiculous," I scoffed. "I'm just in a relationship, Zack. People do that, you know."

"Not like this." His voice softened, but his concern was clear. "I'm worried about you."

"You don't need to be." My voice sharpened. "I'm fine. I've never been happier, actually."

He exhaled slowly, his brows knitting together. "Just promise me you're being careful. Leo seems like a good guy, but—"

"But what?" I cut him off, my temper flaring. "You don't even know him, Zack. Maybe you're just upset that I'm not waiting around for you anymore."

The words hung between us, sharp and raw.

"That's not what this is about," Zack said quietly, though something flickered in his eyes—guilt, maybe. "I care about you, Ella. That's all."

"Well, thanks for your concern, but I don't need it."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and unease.

The more time I spent with Leo, the harder it became to mask my growing possessiveness. Every lingering glance another woman cast in his direction fueled an irrational surge of jealousy. Every comment Zack made about "being careful" chipped away at my patience.

But Leo remained oblivious, sweet and doting as ever.

One evening, we attended a charity gala together—one of those glittering events filled with polished smiles and whispered gossip. Leo was the picture of charm, navigating the room effortlessly.

I, however, couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was watching us, judging me, waiting for cracks to appear.

When an elegant woman with perfectly styled hair and a predatory smile lingered too close to Leo during a conversation, my jaw clenched.

"Ella," Leo said gently, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. "You okay?"

I forced a smile, nodding. "Of course."

But inside, the promise I had made to myself remained unwavering. No one would come between us.

Not even Leo's mother, who had yet to meet me but already cast a long shadow over our relationship.

Leo was mine. And I'd make sure it stayed that way.

Chapter Seven: Cracks in the Facade