Page 73 of Surrendering to the Obsession

Her eyes darted from the screen to meet his, and panic flared. “Mr. Graves… it’s not what it looks like,” she rushed to explain, words tumbling out.

“So… you weren’t kidnapped? With James… your ex-husband?” Alexander’s breath was heavy, each word laced with tension, his dark eyes fixed on hers as he said James’s name.

“I—yes, I was… I mean, I was kidnapped,” Mia admitted, cheeks heating with embarrassment and anxiety. “But it was… it just happened because I ran into James at the mall. I didn’t ask him to meet me—he didn’t know I was there, at least I don’t think he did. I didn’t call him. I don't even know how he knew I was at the mall. Maybe his girlfriend told him? It was just… a coincidence.” Her words tumbled out in a rush, hands fidgeting nervously as she tried to make him understand.

“And because you didn’t call him, you were even willing to die for him?” Alexander asked, tilting his head slightly. His gaze was dangerous, burning, and a shiver ran down Mia’s spine as his focus locked on her.

He lifted a hand to her neck, his fingers brushing lightly against her skin, and his voice softened, almost eerily so.

“My Mia… still has so much love in her heart for her ex-husband, doesn’t she?”

Mia flinched, her body tensing immediately. “It’s not love! I promise—it’s not what it looks like!” she stammered, desperation lacing her voice.

Alexander’s jaw tightened, the muscles working visibly as his dangerous eyes darkened further. “Then why didn’t you tell me?” His voice dropped, fierce and sharp, making her flinch at the intensity.

His dark eyes bore into hers as his grip tightened slightly on her neck. “Why would you risk your life for that… thatfuckingman? Why ismy wifeputting a gun to her head to protect her ex-husband… and all I can do is watch?”

His grip tightened sharply on her neck, and with a sudden tug, he pulled her against him. Mia collided with his chest, gasping slightly as his body pressed hers against him. His eyes never left hers, dark and dangerous.

“Three days… three whole days have passed since that accident, and my wife didn’t even bother to inform me that she almost got killed… because of her motherfucking ex-husband?” he hissed, the words vibrating with fury.

Mia’s body stiffened with every word. She felt as though she’d committed a grave crime, one punishable only by death at his hands. Her chest tightened, her mind spinning with panic—how could she explain without looking like she still had feelings for James?

Finally, she managed to speak, her voice small and hesitant. “Mr. Graves… is that why you’ve been so angry with me these past two days?”

Alexander said nothing, and the silence confirmed her worst fears—he had known all along. His fury had been simmering quietly, barely restrained.

Her chest tightened. She already knew she was in the wrong. She hadn’t told him about the incident, afraid he might think she still harbored feelings for James. Yet now, standing this close, under his burning gaze, she could barely breathe. It was as if he could rip her apart and put her back together with his eyes alone.

Finally, her lips parted, her voice barely a whisper. “Mr. Graves… at that time I was so scared,” she admitted, her gaze dropping. “I… I got hurt, and I fainted too… it still hurts.”

The moment the words left her lips, Alexander’s expression shifted. The anger in his eyes melted, replaced immediately by a raw, consuming concern.

“You were hurt?” he murmured, moving closer. His hands cupped her face immediately, lifting it so their eyes met. “Show me,” he demanded softly, scanning her features with intense focus.

Mia glanced at him and smiled secretly, tapping her finger against her cheek. “See? He hit me here… and even pulled my hair.”

Though there was no mark on her face, Alexander didn’t seem to care. His hands lingered gently on her skin, fingers tracing her cheeks with painstaking care, worry etched into every line of his features. His gaze swept over her face again and again carefully, repeatedly, as though checking every detail.

“Let me see,” he murmured, running his fingers lightly over her face. “You need to go to the hospital. Why didn’t you tell me sooner? It’s still hurting?” His voice cracked slightly with worry as he immediately reached for his phone, pressing a button with a sense of urgency.

A voice came from the other end of the line. “Mr. Graves?”

“Allenn, pull the car around front. We’re going to the hospital—immediately!” Alexander’s voice was tight, controlled, but every word carried the weight of his panic. He bent down instinctively, ready to scoop Mia into his arms.

Before he could finish, Mia snatched the phone from his hand and pressed it to her ear. “Allen, it’s nothing,” she said quickly. “Don’t worry about it.” She hung up and turned to Alexander.

He was standing rigid, every muscle coiled, eyes blazing as if the world itself had shattered around him.

She looked up at him, her own fear mingling with guilt. “It’s… it’s not hurting anymore. I was lying,” she admitted softly.

Alexander’s gaze didn’t waver. His expression was dark for a long, suffocating moment, and then Mia, in a moment of desperation, wrapped her arms around his chest, pressing her head to him. “Mr. Graves… please don’t be angry anymore,” she whispered. “I really… I don’t like it when you’re angry with me.”

The words, fragile and sincere, did what nothing else could—Alexander’s shoulders sagged slightly, the storm in his eyes softening. The rigid tension that had consumed him melted away as he instinctively tightened his arms around her small frame, pulling her closer to his broad chest.

Without warning, he bent and lifted her effortlessly, holding her against his chest as if she weighed nothing at all. He carried her to the couch, and instead of setting her down beside him, he shifted her carefully onto his lap. Her legs bent around his sides, her thighs brushing against his as he settled back, anchoring her against him.

He adjusted her slowly, guiding her hips so that she straddled him perfectly, his hands pressing lightly against her waist to keep her in place. Her chest brushed against his, the heat of theirbodies mingling, every subtle movement sending shivers down her spine. His gaze darkened, intense and possessive.