The CEO's Beautiful Obsession

"Lucas... please... s-stop." Gabby’s voice was nothing more than a tiny whisper, easily drowned out by the heavy bass shaking the floor. She tried to push against his chest, but her arms felt like lead. They were heavy, useless, and refused to obey her. Gabby wasn't a party girl. While her classmates were out making wild memories, she was usually at home with a book. But tonight was Britney’s after-prom party. Everyone knew Britney liked Lucas—most thought she was his future girlfriend—and everyone was invited. Gabby saw it as a rare chance to finally explore. When a stranger handed her a drink and said, "This is from Lucas," a rush of pure joy flooded her heart. She had crushed on him for years. To her, Lucas was the "Golden Boy"—handsome, smart, and always so calm. She truly believed he was a good person. But she was wrong. After a few sips of that drink, the room began to spin. The bright lights smeared into a blurry mess. She tried to find the bathroom, but she couldn't walk straight. Suddenly, strong arms picked her up. She caught a whiff of his cologne—expensive wood and oranges. She knew that scent anywhere. It was Lucas. She thought he was going to help her. But there was no help coming. Now, she was trapped on a bed. Lucas wasn't being kind. He kissed her harshly, biting her lip until it bled, and moved down to her neck, leaving painful marks. Then, a light sound shattered her heart. It was a girl’s laughter. Gabby looked toward the door and saw a female silhouette standing in the shadows, watching them. In that moment, she realized she had been set up. They were making fun of her. The shame was too much to bear. Between the drugs in her system and the pain in her heart, everything went black. When Gabby woke up, the room was freezing and silent. She realized she was naked under the sheets, and her entire body ached. She sat up slowly, her head throbbing. On the floor, she saw her prom dress—it was torn, ruined, and tossed aside like trash. She was all alone. Lucas and the girl were gone. She put on her torn clothes and walked out of the house. The party was over. Some students were passed out on the couches, while others slept on the grass outside. She felt like a ghost walking through a graveyard. When she finally got home, her elder stepsister Megan was waiting. Megan took one look at Gabby’s messy hair and the bruises on her neck, and her eyes went wide with shock. Gabby couldn't say a word. She simply collapsed into her sister’s arms and sobbed for the boy she thought was a hero. A few weeks later, the nightmare got worse. Gabby found out she was pregnant. Her father’s reaction was her greatest fear realized: he demanded she abort the baby. "Get out!" her father screamed, his face red with anger. "Dad, please, I can't do it," Gabby sobbed. "The doctor said my life is at stake if I go through with it." "I don't care how it happens, but I don't want to see a bastard child in this house!" he fumed. "You are a disgrace to this family," her stepmother added with a mean smile. "Go away and take your mistake with you." Her father pointed to the door and told her never to come back. Only Megan, her older stepsister, stayed by her side. Megan took Gabby into her own home, helped her find a job, and held her hand when the baby was finally born. Six Years Later "Grace, honey, time to wake up. It’s the big Six!" Gabby leaned over the bed, a playful pout on her lips, ready to shower her daughter with birthday "attack kisses." But the moment her lips touched Grace’s forehead, the humor vanished. Grace was burning. "Mama?" Grace whispered, her eyes glassy. "I don't feel good." "My baby," Gabby said, her voice tight with a panic she tried to hide. She pulled Grace to her chest. "You're burning up. We should get you to the hospital." Two hours later, Gabby was pacing the linoleum floors of the waiting room. Her mind was a whirlwind of "what ifs" until the doctor finally stepped out. "Relax, Miss," the doctor said with a tired but kind smile. "It's just a nasty viral flu. We’ve got her on fluids and a fever reducer. She’ll be okay in a few hours." Relief hit Gabby so hard she nearly collapsed onto a nearby chair. She hurried back to the ward and pushed the door open to see Grace sitting up, looking much more spirited. "Mom! You're back!" Grace chirped, then leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper. "You need to say thank you to the tall man. He’s like a superhero, but with a better suit." Gabby blinked, confused. "What tall man, Grace?" "The one who paid the bills," Grace pointed toward the hallway. "He saw me crying when the nurse poked me with the needle, and then he gave the lady at the desk his shiny card. He said birthdays shouldn't happen in hospitals." Gabby’s heart hammered against her ribs. She didn't like being indebted to strangers. "Stay here, baby. I’ll go... I'll go thank him." She smoothed her messy hair and stepped into the hall. A man stood at the nurse’s station, his back to her. He was tall—impossibly so—with shoulders broad enough to carry the weight of the world. He wore a charcoal suit that screamed old money and power. "Excuse me?" Gabby said, her voice trembling slightly. "Sir? My daughter mentioned what you did. I can't possibly let you—" The man froze. Slowly, he began to turn around.