Page 57 of Obsessing Over His Favorite

Lucas pushed off the bed, the mattress shifting beneath him as he stood. His chest heaved with sharp, ragged breaths, fists clenching at his sides.

“You’ve been acting out. Picking fights. Stirring chaos—lately, it’s been nonstop,” he said, voice rising. “So much drama for what? You’re not going anywhere, and youknowit.”

His glare sharpened, shoulders tense.

“Emily, there has to be a fucking limit to how far you’ll go. This is getting out of hand!”

He marched toward her again, stopping inches away. He bent down, his head dipping close, his face hovering right in front of hers, his voice a breathless growl.

“You will never break up with me. I’m done with your tantrums. I don’t need you fighting me every step of the way. Just fucking listen to me—for once.”

He pulled back abruptly, turned on his heel, and walked out. The door slammed behind him, making the walls shudder slightly.

Emily stayed seated on the bed, her hands gripping the sheets. Her chest rose and fell in short breaths. Slowly, she lifted a shaking hand and tucked her hair behind her ear. Her eyes stayed fixed on the door he’d walked out of.

“Why won’t you let me go… when the woman you love is Amelia?” she whispered, her voice barely there. “What’s the point of pretending like this?”

She exhaled hard, like all the fight drained out of her. She pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapped her arms around them, and sat still. Her head dropped against her knees, and the weight in her chest only grew heavier.

Eventually, her body gave in. She lay down slowly, curling to one side. Her eyes closed, her breaths shallow, uneven.

And finally—she slept.

The night was quiet when the door opened again. Lucas stepped inside, slow and silent. His eyes landed on her the moment he entered.

He walked to the bed and stood beside her for a long second, just watching.

He sat down carefully, the bed dipping under his weight. Reaching out, he brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. His fingers lingered a moment longer than necessary.

Then, he lay down beside her, inching closer until his chest pressed lightly against her back. His arm slid around her waist, pulling her into him.

He buried his face in the curve of her neck and breathed her in.

Only then did his chest loosen.

And finally, he slept.

The next morning, Emily woke to find the bed empty. Soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a pale glow across the room. She blinked awake and glanced at the clock.

“Shit.” Her voice was barely a whisper. It was already past nine.

She had promised Lucas she’d meet him at work today—finally stepping back into her design career under her own name.

She threw off the covers, her feet hitting the cold floor as she moved quickly toward the bathroom. The shower water started cold, then warmed, washing away the remnants of sleep. She dressed in a rush, stealing a glance at the clock once more. There was still time.

Her heart quickened as she hurried down the stairs.

But when she reached the dining room, her pace faltered. Lucas was still there, sitting at the table, calm and unhurried, quietly eating breakfast.

A frown tugged at her lips—he was usually gone by now. Why was he still here?

Without meeting his eyes, she moved toward the fruit bowl, her fingers picking at grapes and apples as she tried to ignore the tension coiling in the room.

Just as she lifted a grape to her lips, Lucas’s voice cut through the quiet room.

“Finish your breakfast. The car’s outside. You’re coming with me to the office.”

Her body froze. The grape hovered halfway to her mouth. Slowly, she met his gaze, eyes narrowing.