Page 44 of Surrendering to the Obsession

He stopped breathing. His body stiffened.

His gaze locked on one spot… one person… walking out of the glass doors.

Mia.

His entire body snapped straight. Every muscle locked. Shock washed over his face as he stared at her.

This wasn’t the Mia he remembered.

Not the quiet woman who wore long skirts and soft colors. Not the woman who tied her hair back and avoided makeup because his mother once said it looked “desperate.”

This Mia…

This Mia walked out in a short, flowing dress that hugged her waist and draped around her thighs, stopping mid-thigh and swaying with every step. Her hair fell freely down her shoulders, glossy and wild, framing her glowing face. Light makeup highlighted her eyes and cheeks, making her look younger—radiant.

She looked… breathtaking.

Without thinking—James rushed toward her.

Gavin jogged after James, still trying to understand why the man suddenly bolted toward the exit. But the moment Gavin’s gaze followed James’s—it landed right on Mia.

His reaction was instant.

His eyes flew wide, jaw dropping as he grabbed James’s arm with both hands.

“This is her!” he burst out, voice cracking with excitement. “This is the woman I told you about—the one I’ve got a crush on! You know her?” He stared openly at Mia, breath hitching in awe. “Introduce me to her! She might be my future wife, dude. I’m serious.” His voice was urgent, almost disbelieving.

James stopped so abruptly that Gavin smacked into his back.

James turned his head slowly, icy fury flooding his eyes. “Don’t even think about it!”

Gavin blinked hard. “Why not? Why are you refusing so fast? If you know her, just let me give it a shot. What’s the problem?”

James’s voice came out low and sharp, each word slicing.

“Because she. Is. My. Wife.”

Gavin’s mouth fell completely open. “Yourwife? Stop lying. That can’t be right.” He let out a stunned laugh. “Isn’t your wife supposed to be that boring, lifeless girl your mother picked? You literally called her average.”

He pointed at Mia, baffled. “Andthisis not average.”

James didn’t respond. He was already storming ahead—steps quick, chest tight, eyes fixed on Mia like the earth would crack if he looked away.

Mia had slipped toward the quieter side of the mall that led to the parking lot. James’s pace turned frantic.

Within seconds, he cut in front of her, blocking her path.

Mia froze, breath hitching in surprise. She instinctively stepped back, clutching her bag tighter, her wide eyes lifting to his. For a beat, neither of them moved—her heart racing in shock, his entire world stopping at the sight of her.

Gavin stopped beside them, eyes glued to Mia in pure amazement. Then he leaned toward James—loudly enough for the dead to hear.

“She’s gorgeous,” he whispered. “And dressed like this? You let this woman go? Youdivorcedher? Are you insane?” His tone was baffled, almost offended by James’s stupidity.

James felt something snap—jealousy spiking like a knife twisting in his ribs. His jaw clenched so hard the muscle ticked violently.

With a sudden, tense movement, James stepped into Mia’s space, grabbed her arm, and yanked her closer. Close enough that she could feel the heat of his anger and the tremble beneath it.

“You finally show up,” he hissed, voice raw. “Do you have any idea? Any damn idea how long I’ve been looking for you? Where the hell have you been all these months?”