Lahat ng Kabanata ng CRUEL OBSESSION: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

I couldn’t sleep.I tossed and turned in Noah’s small bed, my thoughts tangled like the bedsheets. Martha’s words kept echoing in my head, over and over again.He never gets any good things.If you break his heart... I’ll make your life hell.The room was dark, the only light coming from the streetlamp outside the window. The soft hum of the fridge and the occasional creak from the living room were the only sounds.I couldn’t take it anymore.I slid out from under the blanket and tiptoed to the door. My fingers hesitated on the knob. Then I opened it quietly and padded down the short hallway.Noah was curled up on the couch, a thin throw blanket over him. One arm was tucked under his head, his other hand resting on his chest. He looked peaceful… but tired. Like someone who had been carrying the weight of the world alone for too long.I stood there for a moment, just watching him. Then I whispered, “Noah?”His eyes opened instantly. He blinked up at me, then sat up slowly. “Hey… what’s

I left Marcus and Martha at the table and stood by the sink, rinsing out my coffee mug as the sound of soft chatter filled the room. Elena had helped serve breakfast earlier, and I won’t lie—watching her move around my kitchen like she belonged there did something to my chest. Like it squeezed and relaxed all at once.I glanced over my shoulder. Martha was trying to act uninterested, but I caught her watching Elena out of the corner of her eye. Marcus was too busy stuffing eggs into his mouth to notice anything.It was... nice. Too nice.I dried my hands and leaned against the counter. I couldn’t stay in this bubble forever.“Elena,” I said, and she looked up from the table. “I’m heading out. Gonna look around for a job.”Her face tensed a little. “Already?”“Yeah,” I nodded. “I’ve been putting it off, but I need to pull my weight. Especially with all of us here now.”She stood up, walked over, and handed me the keys I’d left on the counter. Her fingers brushed mine. “Be safe, okay?”

NOAHHer words hit me like a punch to the gut. I blinked, completely thrown off guard. I hadn’t expected that. It was as if the ground had shifted beneath me, and now everything felt out of balance.“Wait, what?” I stammered, my confusion clear in my voice. “Why?”She turned to look at me, her eyes softening, almost apologetic. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to do everything on your own. I don’t want you carrying this weight all by yourself anymore. I just…” She paused, a small sigh escaping her lips.“I don’t want to sit around, waiting for things to get better. I need to start doing something too. I need to figure out my next step. You know I need to start applying for college, and I just…”Her voice trailed off, and I could see the desperation in her eyes. It wasn’t about the ring, not really. It was about everything—her future, the uncertainty that hung in the air, the pressure she felt to contribute.“I know you’re trying, Elena,” I said gently, reaching out to take her

There was only one bank in Hazel Town.Just one.If Elena needed to get money, that’s where she would go. It wasn’t a guess. I knew it.And her last message? “Don’t come.”That text wasn’t just words.It felt like a soft scream. A whisper begging me to help her.I didn’t stop to think. I just ran.My legs moved fast, too fast. My heart pounded so loud I couldn’t even hear my thoughts. I didn’t bother with the main road. I cut through the back streets, past old fences and broken street lamps. Overgrown gardens brushed against my jeans, and the smell of flowers mixed with car fumes made me lightheaded.People stared as I rushed by, but I didn’t care.I turned the final corner, and there it was—Hazel Town City Bank.Two security guards stood outside. One looked like he hadn’t smiled in twenty years. His arms were crossed, his face cold like stone. The other was younger, maybe close to my age. He chewed gum loudly, like he was bored out of his mind.I ran straight up to them, holding out

The heavy oak doors of the mansion felt more like prison gates than anything else.Just a few days ago, I’d been free—so close to building a life that was truly mine. But now I was back. Trapped. Every move I made was watched. Every breath, controlled.My father had taken my phone. Said it was “for my own good.” That I needed time to “recover.”But I knew the truth.He just wanted to break me all over again. Turn me back into the obedient little doll he used to parade around.The days dragged by, slow and silent. Too quiet. The maids walked on eggshells around me, their eyes full of pity. The guards stood near every door like I was some wild animal ready to escape.And my mother?She didn’t say much. Just stared. Always so cold, so disappointed. I couldn’t take her eyes anymore. They made me feel smaller than ever.The worst part? I wasn’t even allowed to talk about college. Every time I mentioned it, my father would cut me off with a wave of his hand.“You’ll go to college after the