Page 105 of Obsession (Dark Revenge)
While I wasn’t entirely convinced, I decided to drop the argument, as it was unlikely to lead to a productive discussion.
Instead, I changed the subject to something more pleasant, “Come on. You need to eat.”
“I’m fine,” he asserted.
I didn’t believe him and reached out to grab his hand. He quickly pulled it away, warning me with his eyes. However, I had grown bolder after acting like Astrid. I grabbed his hand again with both of mine, refusing to let go. I kept holding onto him, and when he turned his head to look into my eyes, I didn’t back down. I met his gaze with determination.
“You asked me to play your wife, so unless you tell me to revert back to being your slave, I’m telling you that you have to eat,” I insisted.
Jared appeared slightly taken aback, his eyes softening, but he remained seated, considering what I had said. Fortunately, he ultimately put his tools down, and I stood up, pulling him with me. I guided him into the house and back to the kitchen, where I quickly prepared some food for him.
Chapter 43
-Jared-
Alison ensured I didn't just have lunch but also made sure I had dinner. Following the first meal, I headed back to the garage, only to have her seek me out again, guiding me into the house and into the dining room. To my astonishment, she had even dressed up, as I had requested the last time that she played the role of my wife. While I understood she was merely following my instructions, as she arranged the food on the table, I couldn't resist the urge. I reached for her, pulling her onto my lap, drawing her warm body close to mine.
She wrapped her arm around me, offering a small smile, yet I wasn’t sure if it was just part of her role. Regardless, I couldn’t help but enjoy the moment, relishing the way it made me feel a little better. I knew, just like her eyes, her smile held power, but this wasn’t one of those big, theatrical smiles. It was sweeter, more genuine. I was fully aware that once these days were over, I wouldn’t be greeted with a smile like that for the rest of my life.I might be concluding my battle with Alison, but I was about to embark on a whole new war.
“Are you okay?” she asked, surprising me with the question.
I nodded, and she attempted to get up, but I held her tighter, savoring this moment because I knew it would never return.
“Jared?” she called, having grown accustomed to using my name now, and I honestly didn’t mind. It sounded better on her lips than on Astrid’s.
“It will never be like this,” I sighed, gazing down.
“Like what?”
“My marriage. I’ll constantly be on guard, perpetually tested. There will never be calm moments like this one or sweet ones.”
Alison shook her head. “You don’t know that. Something good could truly come out of it. Maybe you just need to get to know each other better.”
“Did Kyle ever change?” I asked, meeting her eyes again, watching them widen. “Did it ever turn good?”
She averted her gaze from me, squeezing her eyes shut, and I could see how painful it was for her that I had brought it up, but I needed to know.
“And what about Warren?”
“What about him?” she whispered, slowly turning to me again, her face still contorted in anguish.
“I know you said you were in love at first, but how can you be sure he was?”
She tensed against me, but she didn’t try to get off my lap. She simply remained still, searching my eyes as if I held the answer to the question. In my eyes, he appeared to be a scumbag, someone who had always possessed the traits of a cheater and was skillful at hiding them.
“Well?” I pressed.
“I-I can’t say,” she admitted. “Maybe. My world is more artificial than anything else. Perhaps he never loved me.”
“But you’re still going back to him?”
“Where else would I go?” she questioned, and I knew she had a point. It wasn't as though she could go back to her parents. They weren't the affectionate people I had once believed them to be. Once again, it underscored just how unreal her seemingly perfect world was.
“You’re right. You don’t have a choice. Neither do I,” I agreed.
“But there’s still hope for you.”
“Come now, Alison. You’ve met her,” I reminded her. “Even as we practice, I know that no matter what, there will be battles I lose.”
