Page 24 of Shadows of Obsession

No denying that. But how could I not? When you've spent a year with a stalker breathing down your neck, nearly losing your life, nearly losing everything - when someone finally shows they care, you latch on like they're your last lifeline.

Back when things first went sideways with Aidan, my ex, I was so naive. Thought it couldn't get that bad. I had friends, a life I'd built.

And you know how we like to save men we see are broken? A piece of advice, girls. Don't do it. Some like staying in the dirt and they'll drag you through it with them.

It started like it always does. He was perfect at first - sweet, attentive, everything I wanted. But that's their playbook, isn't it? Narcissists reel you in slowly until you're too tangled in their web to see straight.

The warning signs were there in our different backgrounds. My parents pushed education, independence, career goals. Meanwhile, Aidan couldn't handle authority and seemed allergic to holding down a real job.

Back then, I bought every excuse. The boss was terrible. The pay wasn't worth the work. Companies wouldn't hire him because he dropped out of college.

I swallowed it all because love makes you blind, right? Couldn't see that my sweet boyfriend was really just a parasite who preferred living off other people's hard work.

Then the mind games started. 'I can't live without you.' 'If you leave, I'll kill myself.' 'I just need help this one time.'

And stupid me, I wanted to believe he wouldn't play me like that, that he cared enough not to manipulate me.What a joke.

It didn't take long for the emotional blackmail to turn into straight up threats. Something in his head must've snapped, because what he felt wasn't love - it was sick obsession, fueled by the fact that I was his last lifeline to pay off his debts.God, how many times did I beg him to stop?

I hate that I'm even thinking about him. Made myself a promise not to say his name, not even in my head. Like somehow just thinking it might summon him back into my life.

Yeah, that's how paranoid he made me.

I try to shake off the memories, push away those moments of feeling trapped and alone in his twisted game.

The rain's coming down in sheets like the sky's weeping. My building looms ahead through the darkness, and I have to squint to make it out. I make a break for the entrance, just steps from safety, when a hand shoots out of nowhere, slamming me against the wall. My umbrella clatters away, and when my vision clears, there's Aidan - face twisted with rage, eyes wild.

"I’ve been out here for two hours while you're screwing your coworkers." His voice drips venom, making my skin crawl as pure panic floods my system.

"What are you talking about?" The words barely squeeze past his grip on my throat.

I'm still getting air, but just enough to speak. My fingers claw at his hand desperately, but it's like scratching at stone - he doesn't even flinch.

"Who were you with, Luna? Hmm?" His voice takes on that unhinged edge I know too well.

The most twisted smile I've ever seen spreads across his face. God, how did I ever find this monster attractive?

"What the hell are you talking about?" I rasp.

I try to knee him where it counts, but I'm too slow. I hesitated - actually hesitated to hurt the man who's choking me in front of my house.

"I can smell another man on you, Luna." His tongue traces my cheek, making me want to vomit. "And I don't like my girlplaying around. So you're gonna be nice and give me some money, okay?"

I try to steady my breathing, but all I can hear is the rain and his ragged breath against my cheek.

“I can't give you any more money.” My voice cracks as I say it. How do I make him understand? We're done. I want nothing to do with him.

“Oh, but we both know that's not true. How's that bonus working out?” The eager curiosity in his voice makes my blood run cold.

My confusion must show because I suddenly realize - he's been asking questions at my office.

“I wouldn't have minded you keeping all that money.” He steps back, releasing my neck and running his hands through his hair in a show of vulnerability. “You know I'm not unreasonable.”

I glance at the door, doing the math. No way I can get my key out, unlock it, and make it up the stairs before he catches me.

“But you had to go running around with other men. You know I can't let that slide.”

I stare at him, speechless. The twisted logic of it all - he came for money, but somehow he's spinning this like it's my fault, my disrespect, punishing me for things I haven't even done.

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