Lahat ng Kabanata ng ATTACHED WITH HER OBSESSION: Kabanata 41 - Kabanata 50

The hallway felt longer than it should have.Every step away from Aria’s door echoed louder in my chest than on the floor, like the house itself was counting my retreat. I didn’t look back. I knew if I did, I’d stay. Or worse—say something I couldn’t take back.The night air outside was cooler than I expected. It hit my skin sharply, sobering in a way alcohol never managed to be. I stood there for a moment, keys clenched in my hand, breathing through the ache sitting just under my ribs.Let’s make this work.She’d said it like a plea.But also like an ending she wasn’t ready to name.The drive home blurred. Streetlights smeared into long yellow streaks across my windshield, my thoughts looping in a way that made it hard to focus on anything else. Every replay of the conversation ended the same way—Aria choosing control over clarity, silence over reassurance. And me walking away.By the time I reached my place, the adrenaline had worn off, leaving something heavier behind. I dropped my

After eating, I busied myself with the dishes. The sound of running water filled the kitchen, steady and grounding, even as my thoughts drifted elsewhere. I scrubbed the same plate longer than necessary, staring at nothing in particular, pretending the clench in my chest wasn’t there. I felt her before I heard her. Her arms wrapped around my waist from behind—slow, careful, like she was testing whether I’d pull away. Her forehead rested between my shoulder blades, warm through the thin fabric of my shirt. “What are you thinking?” she asked softly, almost a whisper. “Nothing,” I replied automatically. It was a lie. And she knew it. She didn’t move. Didn’t loosen her hold. “Please,” she said quietly. “Let’s talk this out.” I turned off the faucet and stood still for a moment, hands gripping the edge of the counter. Her arms slipped away as I turned to face her, but she stayed close, her eyes searching mine like she was afraid I’d shut down again if she blinked. “Okay,”

So instead of leaving, I stayed.Aria looked tense but she assured me that she’ll handle this. And although I was unsure, I chose to trust her.I don’t understand why Martha would do this. She knows better than this… she’s been known in the industry for how many years now and yet, she decided to risk her own talent for what?Does she really like Aria? Because at this point, that would only be the reason she’d do this to me.“Hey…”I looked at Aria who’s now sitting beside me, worried.“Hmm?” I said, still couldn’t settle my thoughts.“What are you thinking? We’ll talk about everything right?” her voice sounded unsure. And I get why. Being in this situation isn’t part of our plan. We just want to enjoy ourselves and yet our careers might be at risk. And in this case, it’s Aria’s.I nodded and sighed heavily. “I’m just thinking how could Martha go this far. And for what?”She bit her lower lip and reached for my hand softly.“I don’t know. But this is my fault,” she admitted.I looked a

I didn’t go home after leaving Aria’s place. Instead, I drove straight to the office.Martha was already there when I arrived. Of course she was. Her car was parked in its usual spot, perfectly aligned, as if she’d planned to stay late long before today demanded it.The sight of it tightened something in my chest, not fear, not hesitation but a quiet resolve that had been forming since the moment Aria told me administration wanted a statement. I wasn’t coming here to defend myself. I was coming here to end something. Her assistant looked surprised when I asked to see her without an appointment, but she didn’t argue. Five minutes later, I was standing in front of Martha’s office door, my hand hovering just inches away from knocking. I didn’t hesitate this time. “Come in,” Martha said, her voice sharp and composed, like she’d been expecting me. She was seated behind her desk, glasses perched low on her nose, reviewing something on her tablet. She didn’t look up right away. That a

I woke up with my decision already made. It was strange how calm I felt about it. No second-guessing. No internal debate. Just a quiet certainty that sat heavy in my chest but didn’t suffocate me. The sun filtered through the curtains, soft and unassuming, as if the world hadn’t shifted overnight. I reached for my phone on the bedside table and stared at the screen for a long moment. There were missed calls. Messages. Notifications I still hadn’t opened. I ignored all of them. Instead, I scrolled through my contacts until I found the number I’d saved days ago but hoped I’d never have to use. Attorney Denmark Polino I sat up, feet touching the cold floor, grounding myself before pressing call. It rang twice. “Polino Law Office,” a woman answered professionally. “How may I help you?” “Good morning,” I said, steady. “This is Ena Garden. I’m looking to speak with Attorney Polino. I was advised to consult him regarding a contract issue.” “One moment, Ms. Garden.” The line went