Painted in his obsession

Chapter 5

*LEO*

I sat in the wide silence of my penthouse, the city lights below me shimmering like broken stars. My company, Adams stood tall on the city view.

The glass of whiskey in my hand trembled slightly just thinking about Selena.

With my other hand I picked a diamond wristwatch, flipping the sides like it’s the only thing I have left of her. The memory of her was carved into me like a wound that would never close.

My chest tightened as my mind replayed the night of the accident. Flames. Smoke. Screams. And then Selena was gone. They told me her body was burned beyond recognition, that nothing was left but ash.

I refused to believe it until they showed me the body with the diamond wristwatch I had given her on her birthday. This watch was my proof, my nightmare.

I closed my eyes and breathed her name. Selena. Her laughter still haunted me, that sweet feminine giggle whenever I spoiled her with gifts.

Her moans when I touched her. The way she clung to me, whispering, “Oh Leo, you spoil me too much.” I was obsessed with her, her scent, her softness, her smile. Now she was gone, buried under a pile of roses and dirt.

I slammed the glass down on the table, the liquid spilling over. “I failed you,” I muttered. “I should have been there. I should have protected you.”

“Sir?” A voice interrupted my spiral.

I turned. My younger brother, Lex, stood at the edge of the room. He wore his usual black shirt, his expression calm but sharp. Lex had been living with me since I took over our parents company. He was the only family I had left. It was only wise to keep him close.

I leaned back on the couch, dragging my hand over my face. “Any news?” I asked, my voice heavy with desperation.

He shook his head. “None yet.”

The air thickened. I clenched my fists. “Then add more offers,” I said firmly.

Lex raised a brow. “will see to that, though she doesn’t look like one that will bend easily”

I stood up, pacing across the room. “Do you understand, Lex? That girl… she has Selena’s face. Exactly her face.” My voice cracked with obsession.

“To me, it means heaven heard me. Selena has been sent back to me in a different form. There’s no other explanation.”

Lex’s eyes softened slightly.

“You really believe there is a trace of Selena there because she have her face?”

“I don’t care ,” I snapped. “That resemblance isn’t coincidence. I owe her. I’ll bring her back to me, no matter the cost.”

Lex let out a long breath. “What do you want me to do?”

“Get her to paint the portrait,” I said, determination cutting through me like steel. “That’s where we’ll start.”

Lex nodded slowly. “Alright. I’ll arrange it.” He turned to leave.

But before his hand touched the door handle, the door opened and she walked in.

I stood there frozen.

My heart stopped, then pounded hard against my ribs.

Selena.

She stood there, holding an envelope in her hand. Her face her delicate nose, her sharp jawline, those same eyes was exactly the same as the woman I buried. My knees almost buckled.

I shot up from the couch. “Selena…” The name escaped me like a prayer.

Her eyes narrowed. “It’s Jodie,” she corrected coldly.

But I couldn’t stop myself. I stepped closer, reaching out with trembling hands. My fingers brushed against her cheek. Warm. Real. I ran them across her skin as if confirming she wasn’t just a ghost. “Selena,” I whispered again, my chest tightening.

Her lips pressed together, refusing to soften. “Jodie,” she repeated, pushing the contract onto the glass table between us.

I stared at the contract without caring what it contained. My focus was only her. The fire in her eyes. The defiance in her shoulders.

Selena had never looked at me like that. My wife was gentle, polite, charming. This girl was different. Yet that face… I couldn’t let it go.

She broke the silence first. “My uncle is sick, and you know this contract won’t happen if he’s not alive.” Her voice was firm, commanding even.

I tilted my head. “Is that a threat?”

“It’s a fact,” she shot back. “Your offer is good. But if you want me to sign this, you’ll need to do more than throw papers in front of me.”

Her boldness caught me off guard. Selena had never dared to speak to me this way. I smirked despite myself. “So tell me, what do you want?”

She straightened, crossing her arms. “The surgery. He needs it immediately. If you want me, you’ll save him.”

I stepped closer, inhaling her scent. It wasn’t Selena’s perfume, but it was cheap and simple.

“Which hospital?” I asked

She hesitated. “Lenox hill.”

A small, almost cruel smile tugged my lips.

“Lex!” I called out sharply.

He stepped forward. “Yes, sir?”

“Take care of it. My father in law should be moved to Adams Hospital, the VIP room.

Lex quickly nodded. “Understood.” He said and left

I watched Jodie’s eyes widen. Her lips parted slightly, shock painting her features. For the first time since she walked in, she looked unguarded.

Vulnerable.

“You… you’ll really do that?” she asked softly, almost to herself.

I leaned closer until my breath brushed against her cheek. “For you Selena? Anything.”

She swallowed hard, then looked down at the contract on the table. Her fingers trembled as she touched it.

“So?” I pressed, my voice low. “Will you give me what I want?”

Her shoulders stiffened. She met my gaze head-on. “I’ll sign it.”

The room fell silent. For a moment, I only stared at her, trying to hold ba

ck the wild rush of triumph inside me as she pulled out the pen and scribbled her name on the paper.