When Obsession Wears a Ring

Lies in Silk

Danielle strutted forward in a sea-green dress that clung to her curves and stopped just shy of indecency. With her painted lips and flawless makeup, it was easy to see why men’s eyes lingered. Easy, too, to understand why Raymond had kept her in his orbit for years.

The salesgirl smiled smugly.

“Miss Greene, your dress arrived this morning. That lady tried to take it, but I stopped her just in time.

Danielle’s eyes followed the girl’s pointing hand. Recognition flared. Her lips curved into a mischievous smile as she sauntered toward Tessa.

“Well, well. If it isn’t Tessa. Were you reaching for my dress?”

Tessa didn’t respond. She had no interest in Danielle’s games. She turned to leave, but Danielle slid in front of her, blocking the way, a mockery smile twisting her face.

“Why so cold? It’s funny, isn’t it? We always seem to want the same things. And somehow…” She tapped her chest with feigned innocence. “They end up with me.”

Tessa’s lips twitched in a bitter smile. “By ‘all,’ I suppose you mean my husband, too?”

Danielle’s lashes fluttered, her pride faltering for a fraction of a second. Before she could answer, Tessa continued, her voice smooth, deliberate.

“Don’t stress yourself, Danielle. You can keep him. He’s already rejected goods.”

Danielle’s brows knitted, confusion flickering across her face. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” Tessa said, voice steady, “I’m divorcing Raymond. Let’s see if, without me in the way, you can finally get him to marry you.”

The words sliced cleanly. Danielle’s pride shattered into fury. “You…” Her voice caught, rage boiling, but deep down, she knew Tessa had struck where it hurt most. Raymond would never put a ring on her finger.

Tessa tilted her head, her gaze like ice. “And next time you want to confront me, Danielle, make sure you’re already Mrs. Anderson. Until then, you’re nothing but a homewrecker.”

Danielle’s composure snapped. “You cheap, disgusting little…” She raised her hand to slap Tessa.

But Tessa caught her wrist mid-air, leaned in close, and whispered, low enough for only Danielle to hear:

“Your Ray is standing right behind you. You wouldn’t want him to see you like this.”

Danielle froze, then, in a shocking twist, smacked her own cheek with a loud, stinging slap. Tears welled instantly as she stepped back, clutching her face.

“Ray!” she cried, spinning dramatically.

Tessa’s stomach sank. Leaning against the wall, Raymond stood watching. He must have just arrived, but from the look in his eyes, he’d heard enough.

Danielle rushed to him, sobbing. “Ray, she slapped me! Look at my face!” She clutched his sleeve, shaking it as if begging him to avenge her.

Raymond looked down at her briefly, then lifted his gaze to Tessa. His face was unreadable. “Tessa.”

Her heart hammered, but she forced herself to stand tall. No excuses. No defense. Only silence, and a cold, ruthless smirk tugging at her lips as if daring him to believe Danielle’s performance.

Because she knew he would. He always did.

And in that silence, memories clawed their way back.

Two years ago. Rain pouring down on the night of his birthday. She had gone to bring him a gift, uninvited, unwanted, but hopeful. Danielle had been waiting outside. With cruel words and sharper smiles, she’d told Tessa the truth: Raymond wanted nothing to do with her. He had only ever tolerated her because of his mother.

And that night, as every night since, Tessa had realized one thing… Raymond Anderson would never stand on her side.

Danielle’s sobs grew louder, sharp enough to draw eyes from every corner of the boutique. Suddenly, she lunged, grabbing Tessa’s arm and yanking her toward the exit.

“What are you doing?” Tessa started, but before she could finish, Danielle let go. With a dramatic cry, she threw herself backward, tumbling down the shallow set of steps near the display.

The gasp from the sales associates was immediate. And just as Danielle’s pitiful whimper filled the air, Raymond walked in.

For Tessa, the moment was a knife through time.

Rain. A birthday night, two years ago. Danielle dragging her outside, venom on her tongue. Then the push—the staged fall. And the look on Raymond’s face as he carried Danielle away, leaving Tessa shivering in the storm, a fool with a gift clutched to her chest.

That same resentment was in his eyes now. Cold. Cutting. Enough to drown her all over again.

Tessa’s lips trembled, but she forced her voice out. “Raymon, she’s lying. I didn’t—”

But he didn’t even look at her. His attention was all on Danielle, helping her up, brushing invisible dust from her dress. The victorious glimmer in Danielle’s eyes told Tessa everything she needed to know. This would be no different.

Raymond finally stepped toward her. Instinct told Tessa to retreat, but pride rooted her feet. She wouldn’t run. Not again.

Danielle lingered behind him, smiling like a cat ready to watch her rival bleed. She expected the slap, expected Raymond’s wrath to fall squarely on Tessa.

Instead, he stopped a step away. His voice dropped low, his words like a blade pressed against her throat.

“Mrs. Anderson called her a homewrecker. Do you admit now that I belong to you, and that this talk of divorce is just an act?”

Tessa froze, stunned. That was what this was about? Not Danielle’s accusation, not the chaos of the scene, only his obsession with binding her to him.

Before she could answer, he leaned back, his tone deceptively mild. “Apologize to her, Tessa. But...” his gaze darkened, “if you admit what I just said, then it makes sense that you struck her. You won’t need to apologize at all.”

He was cornering her. Trapping her with no way out unless she bent to his will.

Tessa’s chest tightened. Raymond Anderson was truly a bastard. But if he thought she’d kneel to his demand, he didn’t know her at all.

“You’re right, Raymond. This marriage isn’t over.”

She leans closer, whispering just loud enough for Danielle to hear:

“Because I’m carrying your child.”