WHEN OBSESSION GOES WRONG

6

Chapter 6

Ana's pov

“Welcome, Miss Anastasia,” the butler greeted. I nodded, stepping into a grand hall packed exclusively with the city’s elite.

For the umpteenth time, I adjusted my ankle-length purple gown, walked in with a motive to stay unnoticed. Until I saw Casper.

Casper stood nearby in an expensive suit, looking like the perfect gentleman to anyone who didn't know the truth.

I ignored him, so I headed to the bar. His family, the prominent Rosewells, were completely ruthless billionaires with massive global influence.

I sipped my drink, noting the conservative, legacy-obsessed atmosphere. High society rumored that the late Mr. Rosewell had banished his youngest son for courting beneath their class to protect his empire.

His eldest daughter, Lady Rosewell, strictly enforced those same rules now, controlling Casper’s life and threatening his inheritance.

It made me wonder: if they were so obsessed with status, why did Lady Rosewell accept me when I didn't even fit into their elite social circle?

Well, whatever.

Suddenly, a masculine throat cleared next to me. Casper stood at my left, arms folded. I kept my eyes fixed ahead, praying he would walk away.

“You've clearly been avoiding me, Ana,” he said, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “But you can't avoid me in my own home.”

I emptied my glass, set it on the bar, and walked away to leave him with his fractured ego. Seeking refuge, I slipped into the quiet lobby outside the main hall, but Casper followed right behind me.

Before I could reach the terrace, his hand shot out and took a firm hold of my arm.

“What the hell do you want, Casper?” I snapped, keeping my voice low but lethal.

“To talk. Can we at least talk for a second?” His expression was a mix of frustration and desperation.

“No.” I deadpanned, trying to wrench my arm free.

But Casper only tightened his grip, pulling me back toward him as I tried to leave. He was actively getting on my last nerve.

“Look, I know I messed up,” he hissed, his eyes darting toward the ballroom. “But can we just play cool? At least for tonight?”

“You are crazy if you think I'll do that.”

Just then, a sharp, distant voice echoed from the end of the corridor. “Is something wrong back there?”

At the far end of the lobby stood Lady Rosewell. She had clearly been observing us, her sharp eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Casper immediately released his grip on my arm and flashed a smile. “No, Mother. We’re just talking,”

“Well, then, it's time to come inside. Your uncle just arrived.”

Casper turned back to me, his stare turning instantly cold. “I am not losing my inheritance, Ana. Play cool and keep your mouth shut,” he whispered threateningly and I scoffed.

He turned and walked back into the hall. The man was completely out of his mind. Completely.

I took a deep breath, smoothing down the fabric of my dress for a few seconds to regain my composure. Once I felt steady enough to face the crowd, I headed back toward the hall where the guests had settled.

However, just as I rounded the corner, another hand grabbed my arm.

“What's your..”

“It's me Ana.”

I looked up. Lady Rosewell stood there, her face an unreadable mask of elite discipline.

“Care to tell me what is actually going on between you two?” she asked, her grip becoming uncomfortably firm.

“What?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even.

“I saw you two arguing back there, Ana. Don't lie to me.” Her gaze drifted briefly toward the ballroom before locking back onto my face. “Tell me the truth. Is my son seeing another woman?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Casper seated at a nearby VIP table. He was watching us intently, his posture stiff, clearly wondering if his entire financial future was about to be obliterated by my lips.

There wasn't time to analyze the situation. I had two choices: tell the truth or tell a lie and keep myself trapped in this twisted web.

“No, not at all,” I forced the words out. “Casper and I... we are good.”

Why did I lied? No idea.

“Good,” Lady Rosewell remarked, a long, deep sigh escaping her. Her tight grip relaxed, and she gestured toward the main table. “Come, take a seat to my left.”

I took my seat under Casper’s smug, relieved stare.

Minutes later, the head butler whispered in Lady Rosewell’s ear. She rose, beaming. “He’s finally here!”

The crowd turned toward the entrance as a commanding, six-foot muscular frame in a tailored black suit stepped in. My eyes traveled to his face, and my heart pounded violently.

Dark blue eyes, chiseled jaw, dark hair. His features were unmistakable.

He walked over, grinning. “Hello, sis,” he said smoothly.

It was him. Dr. Cornwell. The cold specialist whose bed I had been in less than twenty-four hours ago.

And he had just called her sis.

As his gaze began to drift across the table, I quickly lowered my head, staring intently at the floorboards. My mind raced into overdrive as I tried to process the absolute nightmare unfolding in front of me. Was Dr. Cornwell actually Lady Rosewell's younger brother?

The one rumored to have been estranged from the family? f**k!

I watched out of the corner of my eye as they shared an affectionate hug.

“Vincent, welcome home!” Lady Rosewell greeted him warmly, her arms tightening around his neck.

Now I get it. Dr. Cornwell was Lady Rosewell's brother, which meant Casper was his nephew. And I was sleeping with him.

Okay, time up.

Keeping my face buried, I quietly slid back my chair and took a step toward the exit. But I didn't even make it three paces before Lady Rosewell’s voice cut through the air.

“Ana!” she called out.

A violent bolt of adrenaline shot through my veins, and my feet screeched to a halt.

“Ana, come over here, please,” Lady Rosewell ordered.

With a deep, shaky sigh, I turned around and forced myself to look up.

Our eyes met.

Dr. Cornwell wasn't surprised at all. His dark blue eyes locked onto mine with a cold, knowing intensity, and a slow, wicked smile played on his lips.

This man knew exactly who I was when I walked into his office yesterday.

“Ana, meet Dr. Cornwell, my long-lost brother,” Lady Rosewell introduced him with a chuckle.

“Call me Vincent,” he said, his voice dripping with smooth pretense. He then glanced at his sister. “I was never truly lost, Victoria.”

“Well, regardless,” Lady Rosewell continued, turning to her brother with pride. “Vincent, meet Anastasia—Casper’s fiancé.”

“Oh, I see.” Was all he said before stretching his hands towards me. “Nice to meet you, Anastasia.”

During the cocktail hour, I hid in the furthest corner of the hall, swirling my drink while watching the room unobserved.

My eyes locked onto Lady Rosewell. Her introducing me as Casper's fiancé was utterly unacceptable; I wasn't marrying a cheater, and I needed to tell her the truth immediately, consequences be damned.

Meanwhile, across the room, Dr. Cornwell nursed his bourbon by the pillars. His piercing stares tracked my every move, a silent reminder of just how twisted things had become now that he knew he was sleeping with his own nephew's fiancé.

The moment Lady Rosewell finished, I intercepted her path before she could rejoin the family.

“Lady Rosewell,” I called out softly.

She turned around, a faint, polite smile gracing her features. “Is something wrong, Ana?”

I hesitated for a second. “There is something important I need to tell you. About Casper.”

Lady Rosewell already viewed me as a daughter, and I knew she would be profoundly disappointed by what I was about to say. But, her next words caught me completely off guard.

“I already know,” she announced, her tone entirely flat.

My heart thudded against my ribs. “What do you mean you know?”

“It's about the engagement, isn't it?” Her gaze never wavered.

“We—”

“I know he cheated on you, Ana. And I also know he begged you to keep it a secret,” Lady Rosewell deadpanned, her voice quiet enough to keep from drawing attention.

My jaw practically dropped. “What?”

Lady Rosewell reached out, taking a firm hold of my arm gently. “I knew about the secret plans for the engagement night, and exactly why it was suddenly canceled. Casper gave me some pathetic excuse about you falling ill, but I knew something was wrong. My suspicions were fully confirmed when I caught you two arguing so fiercely in the lobby earlier tonight.”

She looked down at me, her expression shifting into something resembling respect. “I know my son betrayed your trust, and you deliberately kept that secret hidden from me to protect him... and that was exceptionally loyal of you.”

I stared at her in utter shock. “Lady Rosewell...”

“Yes,” she sighed deeply, her face softening into a genuine look of satisfaction. “You kept my son’s deepest flaw a secret, even from his own mother. I am incredibly happy to see that you have passed the ultimate test of a true elite wife. You possess the discretion required for this family despite the contrast in status. You will marry my son, Ana, and we will ensure he stays in line.”