Page 24 of The Trainer's Obsession

Ophelia.

* * *

Ophelia

My heart aches with doubt and despair as I sit on the couch hugging a pillow to my chest. I wonder if I've made the right decision to leave Ty. No other man will ever measure up to him. I miss the feel of his strong arms around me, holding me close, making me feel safe.

"Hey," Jeremy says softly, sitting down next to me. His brown eyes hidden behind square glasses are filled with concern. "You made the right choice, Ophelia. You're strong and resilient. You can get through this."

His voice is soothing, but my heart still aches for Ty. Jeremy offers his unwavering support, trying to provide me with the comfort I need. As he gazes into my eyes, his face inches closer to mine. With horror, I finally realize that he's leaning in to kiss me.

"Jeremy, no!" I exclaim, pushing him away in panic. Shock and mortification rush through my veins.

"Shit, I'm sorry," he stammers, pulling back awkwardly. "I shouldn't have done that."

"Please, just..." My voice catches in my throat. "Just give me some space, Jeremy."

Only a fool wouldn’t see the way the little fucker looks at you.Ty’s words echo in my head, and I cover my mouth with my hand as I realize he was right all along. I thought he was being overprotective, but he knew. He saw what I was too blind to see.

What is Ty isn’t being crazy in his obsession? What if he’s just doing what comes natural to him?

He nods and leaves the room, leaving me to wrestle with my thoughts, torn between the man I can't have and the one who offers his heart on a silver platter.

* * *

"Jeremy tried to kiss me, Cassie," I tell her, my voice trembling.

Cassie's eyes widen with shock as she wraps an arm around me. "Oh, Ophelia, I'm so sorry."

I lean into her embrace, feeling the weight of my emotions threatening to overwhelm me. "I don't know what to do," I admit, tears streaming down my face. "Ty was everything to me, and now he's gone."

"Maybe..." Cassie hesitates before continuing, her tone cautious. "Maybe Ty's obsession with you isn't all bad. I mean, it's unconventional, sure, but maybe it's just an intense form of love."

"Really?" I ask, looking at her with surprise. She was the one who first warned me against his obsession. Now, she’s changing her mind about it?

She nods, seeming to believe her own words. "Maybe you should give him another chance, Ophelia. He obviously loves you. And I mean, he was right about Jeremy, right?"

My heart races at the thought, but uncertainty lingers. Is it truly love or just possessiveness? I can’t forget how Ty tried to purposefully impregnate me or how he stalks me everywhere I go.

Can I trust him again?

* * *

I go through the next few days in a daze. I walk my clients’ dogs, and then I go home. My life is boring and uneventful—what I used to find comfort in.

But not anymore. I miss the excitement of Ty. I miss the way he makes my heart flutter. I miss his lips on mine.

I misshim.

And I finally decide I’m going to tell him that one evening as I’m returning one of the dogs I walk to its owner. I’m so anxious to see Ty that I find myself walking through a dark alley on a shortcut on my way home.

The shadows feel heavy, suffocating, as if they're closing in on me. My heartbeat quickens with every step, but I push forward, eager to leave this place behind.

"Hey there, sweetheart," a menacing voice calls out from the darkness. My blood runs cold as a group of rough-looking men emerge from the shadows, their intentions clear in their predatory gazes.

I try to push past them, but they close ranks, trapping me.

"Aw, come on, honey," one of them taunts, his lecherous grin making my stomach churn. "We just want to have some fun."

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