Page 71 of Unapologetic Obsession

It turned out I didn’t have Caden’s natural knack for expressionless faces. My bottom lip trembled. Someone left those abhorrent marks on me, yet I was responsible for how the scars affected the people around me and their reputations.

“I don’t understand what the hell he sees in you,” Natasha mumbled.

There it was.

What Natasha meant was—Why you and not me?

It dawned on me that she didn’t hate me because of Caden or her suspicions that I might have a criminal past. She was glamorous, polished, and perfect; she couldn’t accept defeat to a woman filled to the brim with imperfections. Conceding to me, someone beneath her in rank, station, and beauty, was a blow to her ego. She would have reacted better had Caden picked a woman of his stature.

My stomach somersaulted when I thought I heard footsteps in the hallway, and I prayed it was Caden coming to the rescue. My heart sank upon realizing the sound was coming from the room downstairs.

Was it possible for someone to be your source of comfort, though they could also be a threat to your existence? All day, I had ping-ponged between two warring emotions where Caden was concerned. But now, he was the only person I wanted to see. The few times he saw my scars, there was never revulsion in his eyes. Instead, he stared at me with awe, like I was a celebrity and he was my devoted fan.

But he wasn’t here, and I needed this humiliation to end. “Let’s call it a day. I-I… I’ll just take whatever you recommend for the gala. I don’t need to try it on.”

Her eyes glittered maliciously. “Are you serious?” she spat. “You think I want a criminal wearing the collection from myshop? I’m not selling you one piece of clothing.” She nodded at my crotch. “I don’t even want you wearing that underwear. Take it off.”

I looked down between my thighs.

When I didn’t move, she started toward me. “Either take it off, or I’ll do it for you.”

She wouldn’t dare, would she?

“Ma’am,” Linda warned Natasha from the door. “Don’t make me restrain you.”

Linda didn’t get the chance to step in before Natasha pounced. Panic rose in my chest as she reached for me, her fingers like claws digging into my skin.

“Give it back to me,” Natasha screamed hysterically, trying to pry open my bathrobe. “Give it back, you stupid bitch.”

After that, everything went dark.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

ROSE

It wasseveral minutes before I realized Linda had pulled me off Natasha. My hands throbbed, and I stared at them in disbelief.

Natasha was on the ground, screaming obscenities. Blood oozed from her busted lip, and both her cheeks were bright red with handprint marks.

What the hell?

I slapped Natasha a few times. As if that weren’t bad enough, I pulled her hair and scratched her like a wild animal.

As the reality of what I had done sank in, the door swung open, and Caden marched inside. He looked at the scene, his eyes immediately locking with mine.

Without a second thought, I ran to him, the adrenaline overpowering the pain in my hands. Similar intuition had him pulling me to his chest, his hand sliding around my waist protectively. My fingers clung to his shirt in perfect synchrony.

The comfort of his warm embrace slowed my racing heart. His body was tense under my touch, a subtle shift in his posture as he processed my mood. He checked my pulse, and I realized he intentionally put off demanding answers until I had calmed down.

Linda stood next to Natasha, unsure whether she should help the poor woman. She seemed to be awaiting Caden’s orders.

“What the hell’s going on?” he finally asked, barely holding back his anger.

I peeked over my shoulder to see Natasha’s face twist. “Oh my god, Dr. Maxwell,” she cried. “She’s crazy. She—she went insane and attacked me. She should be committed. Linda saw everything. Tell him,” she implored Linda, who had nothing to say.

I felt Caden’s hand reach my back, pulling me closer until I was practically glued to his chest. It was difficult to see Natasha with his arms wrapped around me so tightly.