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

It had been a week since I met Meredith Sinclair and Sophia Carter, and I was still seething.

I had walked into that dinner with Meredith determined to win her over, to prove that I was worthy of her son. But she had barely concealed her disapproval, her every word laced with condescension. And Sophia? She had been even worse.

She was everything I despised—elegant, wealthy, effortless in the way she moved around Leo, touching his arm, whispering in his ear like she had some claim over him. And the worst part?

He had laughed at her jokes, entertained her flirtations like they were harmless. Like he didn't see the way my fingers curled into fists at my sides.

That night, as he held me in his arms, I didn't feel warmth. I felt rage.

And I knew, deep in my bones, that this could not continue.

And I would make sure everyone knew it.

The next morning, I woke before Leo, slipping out of bed and into the bathroom. My reflection stared back at me—calm, composed, strategic.

I unlocked my phone and scrolled through Sophia's Instagram, studying every carefully curated post. The people she spent time with, the places she frequented. She was predictable. Weak.

A plan formed in my mind, smooth as silk.

I would not scream. I would not beg.

I would eliminate her quietly, piece by piece, until she was nothing but a distant memory in Leo's mind.

Two days later, I put my plan into action.

Sophia had a favorite boutique—an exclusive little shop that catered to women of high status. I had seen her post about it enough times to know she was practically a VIP there.

It was easy to slip in while she was shopping, pretending to browse as I watched her out of the corner of my eye. She was chatting with the owner, her voice light, oblivious.

When she stepped away to the dressing room, I approached the counter with a warm smile. "Excuse me," I said, lowering my voice. "I couldn't help but overhear—you were talking about Sophia Carter, right?"

The owner smiled politely. "Yes, she's one of our regulars."

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice to a whisper. "I probably shouldn't be saying this, but… I heard her talking about how she's been getting better deals from another store. She mentioned how overpriced this place was."

The owner's smile faltered, her gaze flickering toward the dressing rooms.

"I just thought you should know," I added with a sympathetic shrug. "Loyal customers aren't always what they seem."

It was a small cut, barely a scratch. But it would plant the first seed of doubt.

I left the boutique before Sophia even realized I had been there.

"You've been different lately," he said.

"I'm serious, Ella. You're acting… intense."

"No," he said firmly. "This isn't happiness. This is something else."

A chill of irritation ran down my spine. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I know you," he countered. "And I know when something's off."

I gripped the phone tighter, forcing my voice to stay calm. "What exactly are you accusing me of?"

He hesitated. "I don't know. But I have a bad feeling."

"You always do when I'm not paying attention to you," I shot back. "Maybe you should figure out why that is."

"I hope you know what you're doing, Ella," Zack said finally, his voice softer now, almost sad.

"I do," I whispered before hanging up.

As I lay in bed that night, tangled in Leo's arms, my mind raced.

Sophia was still a problem. Meredith was still a problem.

Because I knew something they didn't.

Chapter Nine: Possession