Page 5 of Surrendering to the Obsession

“Mrs—Mrs. Graves—wait, I—” Mia called, flustered and helpless. But Camila was already gone, leaving her standing there, heart racing, cheeks burning, completely caught in the aftermath of Alexander’s gaze.

When Mia turned back, Alexander was already closer. Too close. Close enough that she could feel the faint warmth of his body against her skin.

He tilted slightly, lowering himself just enough so their faces were nearly level.

His gaze was warm… teasing… intense.

“So, Mrs. Graves…” His voice dropped, slow and deep, “you love me?”

Mia’s cheeks, already tinged pink, flamed crimson. Her chest tightened, heart hammering, as she scrambled to explain herself.

“I only said it because your mom was asking me, Mr. Graves,” she rushed out, voice soft and flustered. “I just didn’t want her to think… didn’t want her to be suspicious of us. That’s all.”

Alexander’s brows lifted slightly. He stared at her, not blinking, as if studying every inch of her expression. Then, slowly — almost lazily — a smile pulled at the corner of his mouth.

“Is that so?” he asked, his voice lower now, smooth. “That’s the only reason?”

Mia nodded quickly. “Yes. That’s the only reason.”

His smile deepened.

Straightening to his full height, shoulders broad, posture commanding yet elegant, he looked down at her, amusement and tenderness dancing in his gaze.

“Then,” he said, drawing the word out, savoring it, “it seems I’ll just have to work harder… to make my wife love me.”

Mia’s heartbeat stuttered — thenraced.Her chest rose and fell too fast. Her fingers curled into her palms.

‘Why is my heart beating so fast?’ she thought. ‘It feels like it’s going to break out of my chest.’

She stared at him with wide eyes, her whole face burning. Her ears felt hot. Her knees felt weak.

“I—I have something to do,” she blurted out, her voice embarrassingly high.

Before he could say a word, she turned and ran. Her steps were uneven, breath quick, almost tripping over her own feet. She didn’t dare look back. She couldn’t let him see how her chest had turned into jelly.

Alexander remained where she had left him, the faint smile still playing on his lips. His eyes followed her until she disappeared from sight.

Moments later, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

He pulled the phone out and answered. “Yes?”

“Mr. Graves,” Allen said on the other end, voice tight. “I found out who destroyed Mrs. Graves’ house. It was her ex-husband. James Sinclair.”

Alexander’s jaw twitched — the shift was instant. The warmth in his expression vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold, lethal darkness that pressed down from his eyes.

Allen’s voice cut through the tense silence. “What are your orders, Mr. Graves?”

Alexander’s gaze didn’t waver. Quiet, measured, and dangerous, he asked, “Doesn’t he like destroying other people’s homes?”

A pause. Silence stretched taut.

“Then destroy everything he values from now on.”

“Yes, Mr. Graves.” The line clicked dead.

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, Alexander’s face remained a mask of icy displeasure, his fingers tightening subtly as if restraining himself.

At that moment, Camila stepped back outside, Mia trailing behind her, looking flustered from having been dragged back. Camila’s arm was casually linked with Mia’s, tugging her along as they walked out of the house.