Page 37 of Obsessing Over His Favorite

But as he stepped into the living room, his eyes flicked toward the couches—and he stopped cold.

Emily was casually sprawled on the couch, dressed in comfortable clothes, munching on chips. The TV blared loudly in front of her, filling the room with noise.

As he stepped inside, her gaze flicked briefly toward him, then just as quickly shifted away, back to the screen. Completely unbothered and indifferent.

Lucas’s hands clenched around the bag in his grip. Every hope, every expectation crashed and shattered.

His jaw tightened like iron, his heart burning hotter with every silent second.

He froze in place, but she never looked back.

Irritation flared in his eyes. Without another word, he stormed upstairs. A moment later, the bedroom door slammed shut with a deafening thud, making Emily flinch. Her eyes darted upward, locking on the closed door.

“What the hell is wrong with him?” she muttered under her breath, sinking back onto the couch and turning her attention back to the TV.

***

Night fell quickly.

Emily ate her dinner silently at the kitchen table, then slipped away to the guest room to sleep.

After finishing his work in the study, Lucas headed to the bedroom around midnight, his shoulders tight with tension.

As he stepped inside the dark room, his eyes instinctively flicked to the bed.

“Emily, are you still going to keep making me angry?” he called out as he walked closer.

But as he switched on the lamp beside the bed, his body stiffened.

The bed was untouched. The sheets cool.

Empty.

A sudden unease tightened in his chest. He turned toward the bathroom and pushed open the door.

Nothing.

No sign of her.

Frustration mounting, stepped out, peering over the railing to the living room. No sign of her there either.

His agitation grew. Clenching his fists tightly, he turned and headed to the guest room.

He opened the door and entered, eyes quickly scanning the room. They stopped the moment he saw her lying on her front, already fast asleep in her night suit.

His jaw clenched tighter in anger. He stepped fully inside, bent down, and gently turned her onto her back, sliding his arm under her waist.

She woke immediately, groggy from sleep.

“What are you doing?” she mumbled, weakly pushing at his chest.

“Come back to bed,” he whispered, voice low and rough.

But as he lifted her into his arms, she pushed against him, slipping free before he could hold her properly.

“I’m fine here,” she murmured. “I don’t want to sleep in your bedroom.”

“Emily, don’t piss me off right now.” Lucas’s voice came out low and rough, like a warning barely held back. His jaw tightened, muscles ticking beneath his skin, as he reached out and grabbed her wrist, yanking her toward the doorway. “I’m already losing my goddamn mind.”