Page 53 of Surrendering to the Obsession

Her vision dimmed at the edges.

“Mia?” James breathed, panic hitting him so fast it stole his breath.

She didn’t answer—her body went limp.

And before she hit the floor, James caught her in his arms, clutching her tightly against his chest.

***

When Mia opened her eyes, the blinding white hospital ceiling stabbed at her vision. For a second she couldn’t breathe—her heart slammed against her ribs.

She shot upright, frantic. Her hand flew to the side table, snatching her phone.

Nine PM.

Only three hours had passed since she had left the mall.

Her stomach tightened. She ripped the blanket off and swung her legs over the bed, ignoring the way her head throbbed.

She had barely taken one step when the door slammed open.

James stormed in.

His chest was rising and falling too fast, his eyes wild the moment they locked onto her.

“Mia—what the hell are you doing?” he barked.

Before she could react, his hands were on her shoulders, pushing her back down on the bed. His fingers trembled with barely controlled panic.

“Sit. Down.”

She jerked out of his grip. “Move.”

“No,” he snapped. His palms landed on either side of her, trapping her in place. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“I need to leave,” she hissed, trying to slide past him. She gripped her phone like it was her lifeline. “Let go of me, James.”

He grabbed her arms again—tighter this time—his jaw clenched so hard the muscle twitched. “What is wrong with you?” he demanded, voice cracking. “You wake up after nearly dying and your first instinct is to run?”

“I’m not running.” She shoved his hand off. “We’re divorced. My life stopped belonging to you a long time ago.”

Something snapped in him.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” James grabbed her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. “You were ready to die for me! Do you understand what could have happened? Those weren’t idiots bluffing—Mia, that was real danger!”

Mia grabbed his wrist and forcefully removed it from her face. Her eyes were cold when she looked at him.

“I didn’t do it for you.”

James went completely still. His chest rose and fell, fast at first, then slower—his anger faltering into confusion.

“Don’t argue with me,” he snapped, voice lowering but rougher. His hands hovered in the air, as if unsure whether to reach for her again. “You’re crossing lines you shouldn’t. You were going to die back there. I told you to leave! Why would you risk your life for me?”

Mia stepped back. Her gaze locked onto his.

“I told you,” she repeated, calm in a way that made his stomach twist, “I didn’t do it for you.”

He stared, lost.