Page 39 of Surrendering to the Obsession

Mia frowned. “Alright, alright… I’m sorry.”

Hazel sighed, then looped an arm around Mia’s shoulder, pulling her close and kissing her cheek. “Ugh, stop being so adorable. I can’t even stay mad when you act like that.”

Mia couldn’t help but snicker, and Hazel grinned wider, tugging her toward a row of stores. “Now, what else do we need? Let’s hit the jewelry shop — I’ve been dying to see their new collection. Maybe we can get something for you.”

“Something for me?” Mia blinked, surprised.

“Of course,” she said with a bright smile.

Mia nodded thoughtfully. “Actually, I should be the one getting you something. I haven’t given you a proper gift in five years. You deserve something pretty. Maybe we can get matching bracelets?”

Hazel gasped with delight. “Matching bracelets? Your husband is going to besojealous.” Her eyes sparkled with playful mischief.

Mia raised a brow, her expression confused. “Why would he get jealous over something so small?”

“Are you kidding me?” Hazel said, clutching her chest in disbelief. “That day when he came to the restaurant and dragged you out—you didn’t see thelookon his face? I thought he was going to murder everyone in that place, especially Harold!”

Mia froze for a moment, her lashes lowering in thought. “Was he…?” she asked softly.

Hazel leaned closer. “You tell me. What happened after that? What did he do?” she pressed, eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Mia’s thoughts flickered back to that night.

She rubbed her face with a hand in shyness. “Maybe… maybe he would get a little jealous,” she mumbled.

Hazel’s jaw dropped. She gasped, bending forward to peek at Mia’s hidden face. “Oh my God! What did he do? Why are you blushing like that? Tell me everything!”

“Stop it!” Mia laughed, trying to push Hazel away and hide her blushing face. But Hazel was already giggling uncontrollably.

“I can’t believe this,” Hazel said between laughs. “You’re turning into the same Mia I knew five years ago!”

Mia raised an eyebrow. She lowered her hands slowly, confusion flickering in her eyes. “What do you mean? I’m the same as I’ve always been.”

Hazel shook her head. “No, you’re not. When you were with James, you were like a sixty-year-old — serious, quiet, always taking care of others, never smiling. But now…” She paused, smiling softly. “Now you’re alive again. You laugh. You glow. You’re…youagain. Just like in college.”

Mia went quiet, Hazel’s words sinking in. She thought back to those years—how dull her life had felt, how much effort she had wasted trying to fix a love that was never really there. After she left James, everything had changed. For the first time in years, she could breathe again.

“I didn’t realize it,” Mia said softly, lowering her hands. A faint, wistful smile tugged at her lips. “I guess I’m finally starting my life again after five years.”

Hazel smiled tenderly. She pulled Mia into a tight hug and whispered near her ear, “And I’m glad I’m here to restart it with you.”

When they pulled back, Mia grabbed Hazel’s hand and grinned. “Come on, let’s go get those bracelets now!”

An hour later, when they stepped out, both were admiring the sparkling diamond bracelets wrapped elegantly around their wrists. The design — delicate leaves, moons, and tiny charms — shimmered beautifully under the mall lights.

***

Kylie walked into Max Mall with Tara at her side. Tara juggled a few shopping bags, her arms straining slightly, while Kyliekept her head lowered, half-hiding behind a pair of oversized sunglasses that swallowed half her face.

Tara’s eyes flicked to the glasses, frowning. “Why are you wearing those enormous sunglasses inside the mall?”

Kylie adjusted them with one hand, her jaw tightening. “Don’t you remember how they closed all my shops and kicked me out? Everyone here knows me. If they see me now… they’ll laugh.” Her lips curved into a tight, bitter line.

Tara’s lips twitched, fighting back a smile, though her thoughts were dripping with sarcasm. ‘I’m already laughing at you. It’s kind of hilarious how fast you fell after pretending to be untouchable all these years.’

They moved side by side through the mall, the sound of footsteps and chatter blending around them. Then Tara suddenly gasped, her hand shooting up to point. “Kylie—look! Isn’t that Mia? James’s ex-wife? The one he’s been hunting for?”

Kylie’s head snapped toward where Tara was pointing. Near the jewelry stores, Mia stood laughing lightly with Hazel, balancing several shopping bags while holding a diamond bracelet to her wrist. She seemed entirely unaware of the eyes tracking her every move.