Page 130 of Blades of Obsession

“Like that’s such a big request when we’re already married. You donotget to deprive me of the proposal experience.”

My pupils dilate, and I’m sure the irises are swallowed by the expanding blackness as I look up at her.

“Amelia…” I breathe out. What do I even say? There are no words that can sum up how I feel about her. None of them feel powerful enough, deep enough.

Despite this, I say, “From the moment I first saw you, my life changed in ways that I never could’ve imagined. You startedbeingmy life, my whole world. Since then, you’ve continued being my anchor, my strength and my weakness all in one, my solace, my happiness. Whether you know it or not, your beautiful presence casts a light over everything you touch. You really, truly are an angel on earth. And I’m the lucky one who gets to experience it every day. Marry me, not because of some contract you signed, but because you can’t imagine spending the rest of your life without me, just as I can’t without you.”

Amelia’s eyes shine with unshed tears, and she smiles, a radiant, genuine smile. Fuck, how can one person be so damn beautiful?

She taps her chin, faking like she’s thinking hard for the answer. Throw in some ‘hmmm’s’ and I’m losing my damn patience, starting to get fidgety.

“You’re killing me here.”

I’m tempted to get up and fuck her so hard the only reply she can muster up in her pretty little head is ‘yes’.

“You deserve it.” She looks down at me, placing her hand on the side of my face. “Yes, I will marry you. Well, I will stay married to you.”

I place my hand over hers on my cheek. “I promise, I’ll get you a ring and we can still have the wedding of your dreams.”

“Can we have a small wedding? I don’t wanna be—I don’t like—”

“I know, baby. You don’t like being the center of attention. That’s why you dragged me here to this room instead of asking me to propose out there.”

“I wouldn’t say I dragged you, you came as a willing participant.”

“A very willing participant. I’ll follow you anywhere.” I grab her hand from my face and press a kiss to it before standing back up. “We can have a very small backyard wedding, nothing fancy. And then for the honeymoon… God, I have to stop imagining all the things I’m gonna do to you on that trip. I’m going all out for the honeymoon.”

She laughs. “Deal.”

We seal the proposal with a kiss, but it’s not the usual hungry, needy kiss. It’s soft, slow, gentle. Before we pull away and look into each other’s eyes.

I never knew what love was until I met her, but if I had to describe it, it would bethis.

“So, I’m confused. We’ve been married since I signed those contracts from my dad, how did you already know you wanted to get married to me by that point?”

“I knew because the thought of not marrying you filled me with a deep, aching hurt. Like I told you, the day after I made you mine, I was one hundred percent sure. Which is why I even went to your dad’s house that day anyway, the other contracts were just a ruse. And I’m glad I did because if I didn’t catch you there that day, who knows what Harvey would’ve done.”

The door bursts open with a crash, shattering the moment we were sharing. Harvey storms in, his face twisted with rage, and I sigh. He always fucks things up.

“Speak of the devil and he shall appear,” I mumble under my breath.

And who the fuck let him in.

“There you are, you little shit,” he spits out, his eyes narrowing on Amelia.

Amelia begins to say something, but I raise a finger signaling her to stay quiet. She looks at me, her mouth half-open, then closes it, giving a small nod.

Her responding to his verbal attacks would just give him what he wants—a reaction, to see her hurt and angry. Which he doesn’t deserve. And the more we fuel it, the more he’ll keep doing it every time he needs another adrenaline hit.

Harvey sneers. “See? Pathetic, just like I’ve been saying. Letting him shush you with just a finger. You’re weak. And—”

“She’s not weak. Shechoosesto let me lead her. Which makes her the one with all the power, that she could revoke at any minute.”

His sneer deepens into a scowl as he faces Amelia again. “You’re delusional if you believe that you have any power. You’re worthless, just like your mother. Now where is she? You’ve been hiding her for long enough.”

My blood boils, but I force myself to stay calm. No reactions. Amelia doesn’t feed into it either, she juts her chin at him without saying a word. Her father really knows how to push buttons. I don’t see how she stayed sane for her entire childhood, especially living with him alone for some of it.

I step forward. “Look, if you want to have a civil conversation without insulting—”

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