Bound by his obsession

Beneath His possession

Elena's presence lingered long after she left the room, Isabella sat frozen, her mind racing, the look in her sister's eyes hadn't been just jealousy; it was something deeper, something possessive

Rafael smirked as he poured himself a drink, the amber liquid catching the light "You're quiet."

Isabella exhaled sharply "You knew."

He turned to her, glass in hand "Knew what?

"That Elena is in love with you."

Rafael chuckled, taking a slow sip "That's not my problem."

Isabella's stomach twisted "You let her believe she had a chance."

He leaned against the desk, watching her over the rim of his glass "and what if I did?"

Her nails dug into her palms "you're cruel."

Rafael set his glass down, stepping closer, the faint clink of crystal against wood echoing through the room "you're angry because you think I led her on but we both know the truth, Isabella."

She clenched her jaw, her eyes glaring fire "And what's that?

His fingers brushed her chin, tilting her face up to his "you're the one in my bed, not her."

Her breath hitched, her lips trembling his touch burned, his words wrapping around her like a trap

She shoved his hand away "this isn't a game, Rafael. She's my sister."

"And you're my wife." His voice darkened, his expression turning unreadable "If she's foolish enough to want something she can't have, that's on her."

Isabella's heart pounded, this was getting dangerous, elena wasn't just another woman

Stay here till I'm back, I have meeting to attend, if you're tired there's lounge at the back of this door, rest there.. I'll be back soon and he walked away.

Later that evening, they left the office together after Rafael's meeting, the cool evening air brushing against Isabella's skin as they stepped into the car, she had fallen asleep waiting for him in the lounge, head tilted back, exhaustion pulling at her eyelids while the world around her blurred when he finally appeared, his expression had been unreadable as always, but his hand had lingered at the small of her back as he guided her to the car.

By the time they reached the house, the sky had turned a dusky violet, city lights flickering like scattered stars, the moment they walked through the door, Rafael walk away without a word, his long strides carrying him to his private home office.

Isabella wandered the quiet hallway, her heels sinking softly into the plush carpet, she could hear the faint hum of his voice from behind the closed door muted, clipped tones, business as usual. The sound of him working while she waited made her chest tighten.

She went to their bedroom and dropped onto the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. The house was beautiful, but at that moment it felt like a gilded cage, the air was too still, the silence too heavy her fingers trailed across the bedspread, restless, she was bored, she was suffocating.

She stood and walked to the closet, pulling out a dress she slipped it on, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror — hair slightly tousled from her nap, faint marks still visible on her skin, makeup smudged from earlier, she began to fix it all with slow, deliberate motions.

Elena's words replayed in Isabella's mind long after she had left "Do you really think he loves you?"

The question dug deep, burrowing into the corners of her mind no matter how much she tried to erase it off.

Isabella sat in front of the vanity mirror, staring at her own reflection, her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted an earring, her mind a storm of emotions, she hate this feeling the uncertainty, the power Rafael held over her, she hate how he could make her feel wanted one second and discarded the next.

In the other room, she could hear him. The low murmur of his voice, the occasional sound of glass against wood. He was going about his evening as if nothing had happened, as if she wasn't sitting here suffocating in this twisted game between them.

Her nails dug into her palm, Enough!!

If Rafael wanted to act indifferent, then so would she. She grabbed her purse and coat, her movements sharp with determination, when she stepped out of the bedroom, her heels clicked against the marble floor, each step steady, unwavering. Rafael looked up from where he sat on the couch, one arm draped casually over the backrest, phone in hand, his expression remained unreadable, but his gaze sharpened.

"Where are you going?, he asked

"Out."

His brow lift, his interest piqued. "Where exactly?"

Isabella ignored him as she adjusted the strap of her purse and headed toward the door.

In a blink, he was in front of her, his grip wrapped around her wrist, firm but not painful, a silent command, "You don't leave without telling me," he said, his voice calm but carrying that edge of dominance he always carry so easily.

She met his gaze, refusing to let him see the slight tremor in her breath "Then ask me properly."

A slow, dark flicker crossed his eyes. Amusement, challenge, possession "You think you can push me?"

She tilted her chin, her voice cold "I think I'm your wife, not your prisoner."

His lips quirked, but there was nothing warm about it "Then act like one."

Her pulse quickened as he reached for her again, his fingers skimming her waist as if testing how far he could push her, she stepped back before he could tighten his hold "Let go, Rafael."

His grip flexed for a second before he finally released her, though his smirk remained. "Fine. Go." He leaned back slightly, as if giving her space, but his tone carried a warning "But don't make me come find you."

She refused to react. Refused to let him see the way her heart pounded, instead, she turned and walked out, head held high.

She needed space before he did something she'd regret.