DANGEROUS OBSESSION

DANGEROUS OBSESSION Episode 1: The crystal chandelier sparkled above Elena Hart’s head as laughter and music filled the luxurious ballroom. Tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of her life. Guests dressed in expensive designer outfits moved around elegantly, holding glasses of champagne while congratulating her on her engagement to Lucas Reed. The man she had loved for five years. The man she trusted with her heart. The man she was about to marry. A smile spread across Elena’s lips as she stood before the giant mirror in one of the private lounges of the Grand Royal Hotel. Her emerald-green gown hugged her figure perfectly, making her look every bit the future wife of one of the city’s most successful businessmen. “You look beautiful, Miss Hart.” A hotel attendant smiled warmly. Elena chuckled. “Thank you.” The attendant left, and Elena stared at her reflection. Everything was finally falling into place. Her father’s company was expanding. Her relationship was stronger than ever. And in just a few months, she would officially become Mrs. Lucas Reed. A sudden vibration interrupted her thoughts. Her phone lit up. Unknown Number. She frowned. For a moment, she considered ignoring it. Instead, she opened the message. What she saw made her blood freeze. A photo. Lucas. Kissing another woman. Elena’s heart stopped. “No…” Her trembling fingers quickly swiped to the next image. Another photo. Lucas carrying the same woman in his arms. Another. Lucas entering a hotel room with her. Another. And another. And another. Her entire body turned cold. This had to be fake. Photos could be edited. People lied. Someone was trying to ruin her engagement. A second message arrived. If you don’t believe me, Room 1807. Right now. Elena stared at the message. Her breathing became uneven. “No…” Tears threatened to form. Lucas loved her. He would never do this. Never. Yet something deep inside her whispered otherwise. Without thinking, she grabbed her purse and rushed out of the lounge. The elevator ride felt endless. Her reflection in the mirrored walls looked pale and frightened. Ding. The doors opened. Floor eighteen. The corridor was eerily quiet. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she searched for Room 1807. Her heart pounded harder with every step. She stopped. Her hand trembled as she reached for the door. Maybe this was all a misunderstanding. Maybe Lucas was inside having a business meeting. Maybe— The door wasn’t fully closed. A soft feminine laugh drifted out. Elena froze. The voice wasn’t hers. Then came Lucas’s voice. Low. Intimate. Familiar. “I can’t wait until this stupid engagement is over.” Elena’s world shattered. The words struck her like a knife. Her chest tightened painfully. “No…” she whispered. The woman laughed. “What about Elena?” Lucas scoffed. “She’s just a stepping stone.” Elena felt the floor vanish beneath her. A stepping stone? Five years. Five years together. Five years of love. Five years of trust. And that was all she was? The woman giggled. “Poor thing. She really thinks you love her.” Lucas laughed. A cruel laugh Elena had never heard before. “Love?” His voice dripped with mockery. “I’ve never loved Elena.” The tears finally escaped. One after another. Burning her cheeks. Inside the room, the woman spoke again. “Then why propose to her?” Lucas answered without hesitation. “Because her father’s company is worth hundreds of millions.” Elena felt physically sick. Everything suddenly made sense. The late-night business discussions. The suspicious contracts. The pressure to let Lucas handle company affairs. He hadn’t wanted her. He wanted the company. The inheritance. The money. A sob escaped her lips. The sound was louder than she intended. The room immediately fell silent. Elena’s eyes widened. Footsteps approached. Fast. The door swung open. Lucas appeared. His face instantly drained of color. “Elena?” The world stood still. The woman behind him was half-dressed and sitting on the bed. Elena recognized her immediately. Vanessa Clarke. Her best friend. Her maid of honor. Her sister in everything except blood. For a moment, nobody spoke. Nobody breathed. Nobody moved. Then Vanessa smirked. Actually smirked. As if she enjoyed it. As if she had won. Something inside Elena broke. “You…” Elena whispered. Vanessa folded her arms. “You weren’t supposed to find out tonight.” The cruelty in her voice was unbearable. Lucas stepped forward. “Elena, listen—” “Don’t.” Her voice shook. “Don’t say my name.” “Baby—” “Don’t call me that!” The scream echoed through the hallway. Lucas flinched. Elena stared at him through tears. The man she loved. The man she trusted. The man she planned to spend forever with. Gone. A stranger stood before her now. A monster wearing Lucas’s face. “How long?” she asked. Lucas remained silent. “HOW LONG?” Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Almost two years.” Elena staggered backward. Two years. Two years of lies. Two years of betrayal. Two years of humiliation. Lucas finally reached for her. “Elena, I can explain.” She slapped him. Hard. The sound echoed through the corridor. Lucas’s head snapped to the side. A red mark instantly appeared on his cheek. For a second, nobody moved. Then Elena laughed. A broken laugh. The kind that comes when pain becomes too much. “Congratulations.” Lucas frowned. “What?” “You deserve each other.” She turned around. And walked away. One step. Then another. Then another. Trying not to collapse. Trying not to scream. Trying not to die from the pain crushing her chest. Behind her, Lucas shouted. “Elena!” She didn’t stop. The elevator doors opened. She stepped inside. The doors slowly began to close. And just before they shut completely… She saw Lucas running toward her. Panic filling his eyes. Not because he loved her. Because he was afraid. Afraid she knew the truth. Afraid his plans were about to fall apart. The elevator doors closed. Elena’s tears finally fell freely. But she didn’t know… This betrayal was only the beginning. Because downstairs, inside the crowded engagement party, a shocking announcement was about to destroy the rest of her life. And someone far more dangerous than Lucas Reed was already watching her. Waiting. Watching from the shadows. Watching her every move. Watching her cry. Watching her break. And for the first time in years… A cold smile appeared on his lips. “She’s finally mine.” TBC: Who is the mysterious man watching Elena from the shadows, and why does he believe she belongs to him?