Lahat ng Kabanata ng Obsessed (Forbidden Desire): Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

The confrontation was interrupted by the arrival of Marco, Dante's younger brother. Unlike Dante's cold demeanor, Marco's danger was masked by charm and easy smiles."Ladies," he said, his eyes taking in their tense postures. "Not playing nice, are we?"Victoria immediately transformed, her grip loosening as she turned a brilliant smile toward Marco. "Just getting to know our new friend better."Marco's gaze lingered on Elena's wrist, where Victoria's fingers had left red marks. "My brother wouldn't be pleased to see his property damaged."The word 'property' stung, but Elena kept her expression neutral. "I'm fine.""Good." Marco offered his arm with exaggerated gallantry. "Because I've been instructed to bring you to the main house. Dante wants a word."Victoria's face tightened with jealousy as Elena was led away, though she was too smart to voice her displeasure in front of Marco.As they walked, Marco studied her profile. "You're either the bravest woman I've met, or the most fooli

The silence in the hall was deadly. Elena's heart pounded as she stared at Antonio, confusion and fear twisting in her chest."Antonio," she whispered. "What are you doing here?"Victoria stepped forward, her smile bright and fake. "Dante, meet my cousin Antonio. He's been handling business for us."Elena's world spun. "Cousin?""Small world, right?" Victoria linked her arm through Antonio's. "When Antonio told me he ran into an old friend today, I was so surprised."Antonio smiled, but his eyes were cold. "Victoria told me all about you, Elena. Though she didn't mention how... intimate you and Dante are."The way he said 'intimate' made Elena's skin crawl."We're not..." Elena started."Oh, please," Antonio laughed. "Elena, you don't need to lie anymore. We know each other too well for that."Elena frowned. "What do you mean?"Antonio stepped closer, his voice dropping. "Come on, baby. After everything we shared? All those nights together?"Elena's blood turned to ice. "What are you t

The gallery smelled like home, old paint, varnish, and the faint mustiness of centuries-old canvas. Elena breathed it in deeply, trying to let the familiar scent calm her racing heart. But even here, in the place she loved most, she couldn't escape him.Franco and Giuseppe stood like silent shadows near the entrance, their dark suits and cold eyes marking them clearly as Dante's men. Everyone who walked past stared. Whispered. Elena felt their curiosity like insects crawling on her skin.This is my life now, she thought bitterly. A prisoner even in my sanctuary.She hadn't seen Dante since last night. Since he'd walked out of his office after calling her his property. The word still burned in her chest like acid.Property.Not his woman. Not his lover. Just another possession he owned, like his cars or his suits or the mansion she was trapped in.Elena's hands trembled slightly as she pulled on her white conservation gloves. She had a 16th-century portrait to restore today, delicate w

Dante carried Elena through the hotel corridors like she weighed nothing. Her heart beating fast from the kiss, from the public humiliation, from being held in his arms like something precious when he'd just called her property hours ago.What is he doing? she thought desperately. What are we doing?He pushed through a set of glass doors onto a private balcony overlooking the city. The city skyline glittered in the darkness like scattered diamonds. Cool night air hit Elena's wine-soaked skin, making her shiver.Dante set her down carefully, his hands lingering on her waist for just a moment before he stepped back."Thank…" Elena started."Didn't I tell you to behave?" Dante cut her off, his voice hard.Elena's mouth dropped open. "Excuse me?""I told you to stay close. To not cause trouble." His eyes bored into hers. "And what did you do?""Are you serious right now?" Elena's voice rose with disbelief. "I didn't go around looking for trouble! Victoria started this! She threw wine on m

Elena stormed into her bedroom and slammed the door so hard the walls shook. Her hand still stung from slapping Dante. Her lips still burned from his kiss. Her heart still ached from his accusations.Liar. Manipulator. Just like your father.She pressed her palms against her eyes, trying to stop the tears that threatened to fall."No," she whispered fiercely. "No more crying over him. No more."Elena paced her room like a caged animal, her mind racing. She couldn't stay here. Couldn't spend another day in this mansion, watching Dante treat her like property one minute and kiss her like she was everything the next.I need to leave, she thought desperately. I need to get far away from here. From him. From this entire nightmare.But how? She had no money. No resources. Dante's men watched her every move. The only things she owned were clothes he'd bought and a contract that said he owned her.Elena stopped pacing, an idea forming.Money. I need money.Dante had plenty of it. This mansion