Page 42 of Surrendering to the Obsession

She tugged again—harder—tearing the dress even further. The last scraps of fabric dangled uselessly as Kylie tried desperately to pull the pieces together.

Her sunglasses slipped off and hit the floor. She scrambled to snatch them up and shoved them back onto her face, trying—and failing—to hide the humiliation burning across her cheeks.

Mia stepped close, her voice barely above a whisper. “You wanted me to pay. I paid. Now enjoy what’s left.”

Mia grabbed Hazel’s hand and turned away without another glance. “Let’s go.”

Hazel burst out laughing, loud and shameless. Even as they left the store, she kept looking at Mia with pure admiration. “Mia, holy shit—this is legendary. I can’t believe you did that. I’m posting this footage everywhere. People need to SEE this.”

They walked out of the mall together, Hazel still cackling as if she’d just witnessed a miracle.

Outside, Hazel dug through her bag for her keys. “I’ll drop you home,” she offered, still breathless from laughing.

Mia shook her head gently. “It’s fine. You go ahead.”

Hazel nodded and headed toward the parking lot, still giggling, while Mia stood alone near the entrance. She slipped her phone from her bag, staring at the screen as she muttered, “Should I call the driver… or just get a cab and go home?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Across the mall, someone had seen everything.

A man leaned casually against the hood of a sleek black car—plain T-shirt, fitted jeans, leather jacket. Simple pieces, yet each one screamed quiet luxury. At first glance he looked effortlesslylaid-back, but there was something dangerous beneath the surface. Even the way he stood—ankle crossed, hands in pockets, head tilted as if amused by the world—radiated calm confidence.

He slid his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose, revealing eyes that sharpened the moment they landed on Mia. A slow smirk tugged at his lips; he had watched the entire showdown, and Kylie’s downfall had entertained him far more than he would ever admit.

The memory of Kylie on the floor, grabbing at the scraps of her dress while Mia ripped into her with that cold smile, had him laughing the whole time.

Now, as Mia stepped outside, unsure and alone, something shifted in his expression. Amusement melted into interest—real interest. The kind that lit a spark behind his eyes, like he’d just stumbled upon something unexpectedly… compelling.

He pulled out his phone and looked at the picture he had taken moments earlier—Kylie on her knees, desperate, humiliated, while Mia stood tall above her. A masterpiece of poetic justice.

Smirking, he forwarded the photo to James and hit call.

Chapter 8 The Survivor

James answered, but only long enough to hear the man’s lazy, teasing drawl:

“I just watched your precious Kylie get destroyed by a very cool woman at Max Mall. Coming to save your beloved damsel?”

James hung up without a word.

The man huffed a laugh. “Touchy,” he muttered, sliding his sunglasses back onto his face.

Before Mia could decide between a cab or her driver, a store assistant rushed toward her, practically tripping over her own feet. Her posture was stiff with nerves, her voice trembling as she bowed slightly.

“Mrs. Graves, please don’t worry,” she said quickly. “We’ll send all your items, including the newest version of that dress, directly to your home.”

Mia softened, offering a small, polite smile. “Thank you.”

The assistant exhaled in relief. “We only need your signature on a small receipt. Could you please come inside once more? I’m so sorry to trouble you.”

“It’s alright,” Mia said gently.

She turned and walked back inside, unaware that the man leaning on the car was watching every step she took.

***

Across town, James’s phone dinged while he was speeding through traffic, heading toward Max Mall like his life depended on it.

He glanced at the notification—and froze.