Page 110 of Surrendering to the Obsession

“I don’t hate you,” she whispered. “I love you. But I’m scared.”

She shifted on her feet, anxious, her fingers trembling.

“I don’t know how to look at you right now,” she said. “But I don’t want to go back to your home anymore, Mr. Graves.”

Alexander’s expression shifted in a heartbeat—fear, panic, and disbelief slamming through his eyes so fast it almost rattled her. Before she could even register it, he seized her hand and yanked her toward him.

Her body crashed against his chest, his arms locking around her as if he was terrified she would disappear if he let go even for a second.

“I don’t want to separate,” he said, voice strained, eyes desperate. “Mia… don’t leave me.”

But Mia pushed him away roughly, trembling, and freed herself from his hold. Her eyes were filled with hurt as she spoke.

“I can’t go back with you, Mr. Graves,” she said, voice breaking. “You have photographs of me… from years when I didn’t evenknow you existed. My photos taken from behind, taken without my knowledge. And I thought we met by chance. I thought you helped me out of kindness and brought me home because of fate. But everything was wrong. I was wrong.”

Her voice shook as she stared at him.

“I don’t know anything about you. I don’t know who you are, how you found me, or why you’ve been keeping a track of me for so many years.”

Alexander’s entire body tightened. “I will explain,” he said immediately, his voice raw. “Just let me—”

“It’s too late,” Mia said, voice aching. She drew a shaky breath as she looked him straight in the eyes.

“Mr. Graves… I am terrified.” Her voice dropped into a whisper. “I love someone I now know nothing about. I married you because I trusted you. And you broke that trust.”

She swallowed hard. Her voice softened, almost calm—yet it hurt more than shouting.

“I need space. I don’t want to go back with you.”

Alexander’s eyes dimmed. Impatience, fear, sadness—everything flickered across his face. It was clear he was barely holding himself together.

“I will wait for you to come back home,” he forced out, even though the words looked like they were killing him.

He didn’t look well at all. His face was pale, tense… like he was dying inside.

Just then, Sawyer walked out of the house. He came straight to Mia, grabbed her wrist, and gently—but firmly—pulled her back inside.

Alexander’s expression turned colder, darker, his jaw clenching hard as Mia disappeared behind Sawyer.

Alexander followed them inside.

In the living room, Sawyer moved in front of her immediately, his posture protective and tense.

“Don’t worry,” Sawyer said firmly. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. I know exactly what kind of man he is.”

His glare shot toward Alexander—sharp, displeased, full of warning.

Alexander Graves was a name known everywhere. His name was famous—and the rumors were worse. Rumors that he was cunning, dangerous, and impossible to deal with. Rumors that he kept a woman beside him for five years… and now he had suddenly married Mia?

None of it pleased Sawyer. He didn’t like that Mia was involved with someone like Alexander. And from what he had seen today, it was clear their marriage was far from normal.

Sawyer stepped forward until he was standing at Alexander’s height, his expression cold.

“Mr. Graves,” Sawyer said sharply, his voice low and dangerous, “what the hell do you mean by barging into my house with your men?”

Alexander remained calm, almost indifferent, his gaze flicking to Mia and then back to Sawyer. He spoke in a composed, measured tone.

“I was happy to hear that my wife has found her relatives. As her husband, I wanted to bring gifts for her new family, Mr. Stark.”