Obsession - Erotic love story

Chapter 33

Jasmine slipped quietly out of the building through a side exit, her mind racing with the shock of her confrontation with Vincent. The rain continued to pour down in heavy sheets, soaking her clothes even more as she rushed into the street, hailing a cab. She couldn't stop trembling, whether from the cold or the whirlwind of emotions, she wasn't sure. All she knew was that she needed to get back to the penthouse—back to where she could confront the truth.

As the cab sped through the rain-slicked streets, Jasmine's thoughts churned. The betrayal, the lies, the secrets. Everything was unraveling so fast, and she was hurtling toward a revelation she wasn't sure she was prepared for. But there was no turning back now.

The moment the cab pulled up to the penthouse building, Jasmine threw money at the driver and rushed inside, not bothering to acknowledge the concerned look the doorman gave her as she hurried to the elevator. Her clothes clung to her like a second skin, the rain dripping from her hair as she ascended to the top floor.

When she reached the penthouse, Jasmine barely paused to catch her breath before heading straight for Reece's office. She tried the handle—still locked. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing louder in her ears. But then she remembered the key.

She turned and bolted toward Reece's bedroom, throwing the door open and scanning the room frantically. Her eyes fell on the dresser, the one she had searched before. The secret compartment was still there, and without hesitating, she slid it open and grabbed the key.

But as she stood there, clutching the cold metal in her hand, her gaze caught on the photograph she had seen earlier—the picture of Reece as a child, standing with his parents in front of a beautiful sunset. The happiness on their faces felt like a distant memory now, a stark contrast to the darkness that was closing in around her.

Jasmine swallowed hard, the image of Reece's childhood innocence mingling with the reality of the man he had become. Her heart ached, but she pushed the feeling aside, steeling herself for what she knew she had to do.

Key in hand, she returned to the office door, her hands trembling as she slid the key into the lock. The door clicked open, and she pushed it slowly, stepping inside. The room appeared normal at first—sleek, polished, just like the rest of the penthouse. But as she ventured deeper inside, her eyes caught something that made her blood run cold.

On the wall beside his desk was a large board, and pinned to it were photos—photos of her. Of the coffee shop she used to visit, of her former home, even candid pictures of her walking around the city. There were notes, too—details about her routine, the places she frequented, and most chillingly, a piece of paper that had once held the exact words of the note attached to the roses she had found on her doorstep.

Jasmine's heart pounded as she pieced it together. Reece had been watching her. He had been stalking her, orchestrating every moment, every coincidence. The flowers, the chance encounters—they hadn't been chance at all.

Her stomach lurched, her mind reeling with the betrayal. How could someone who claimed to love her do this? The person she had trusted, who she had fallen in love with, had been manipulating her from the very beginning.

She stepped back, her breathing ragged, her eyes wide with horror.

Just then, a voice broke through the silence, making her heart leap into her throat.

"I was hoping you wouldn't find out like this," Reece said, his tone soft but eerily calm.

Jasmine whirled around, her eyes locking with his. He stood in the doorway, his posture relaxed, but there was a darkness in his gaze that made her blood run cold.

"Stay away from me," Jasmine demanded, her voice shaking as she backed up toward the desk, trying to put as much distance between them as possible. "You... you've been stalking me."

Reece's expression didn't change, though a flicker of something—maybe regret, maybe anger—passed through his eyes. "I was going to tell you," he said, stepping toward her. "Eventually."

Jasmine shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "You're a liar," she spat, her voice breaking as she felt the walls closing in on her. "You never planned to tell me any of this."

Reece took another step forward, his gaze unblinking. "I love you," he said firmly, his voice steady. "I never lied about that."

Jasmine's heart twisted, the betrayal cutting even deeper. "I don't want to hear any more of your lies," she whispered, her tears spilling over as she fought to keep her voice from breaking completely. "I'm leaving."

Reece's gaze darkened, his jaw tightening. "Do you really think I'll allow that?"

Fear shot through her, her instincts screaming at her to run. "I'll call the police," she warned, her voice trembling.

Reece chuckled darkly, taking another step closer. "The police? They won't help you, Jasmine. They're in my pocket."

The weight of his words hit her like a punch to the gut. She felt her breath catch, her chest tightening with fear. She couldn't trust anyone—he had made sure of that.

"I'm leaving," Jasmine repeated, her voice barely above a whisper as she bolted for the door, her mind racing with the need to escape.

She ran to her bedroom, the adrenaline coursing through her veins as she scrambled to remember where she had hidden the money her boss had given her. Her fingers shook as she tore through her things, finally pulling the envelope from under the pillow. But before she could move, a hand grabbed her wrist, yanking her back.

Reece's grip was iron, his expression calm but menacing. "You're not leaving," he said coldly, pulling her back toward the center of the room.

Jasmine struggled against him, but he was too strong. The envelope slipped from her hands, the money spilling onto the floor, scattering across the hallway.

Reece barely glanced at it. "You'll stay in here," he said, his voice low and controlled. "Until you calm down."

Jasmine's heart pounded in her chest as he dragged her back into the bedroom. She lunged for the door, trying to escape, but before she could react, he slammed it shut, locking it from the outside.

Panic seized her as she pounded on the door, her voice hoarse with desperation. "Reece, let me out! Please!"

But she could hear his footsteps moving away, leaving her alone, locked in the room with no way out.

Her pleas fell on deaf ears as the realization settled in—she was trapped, and Reece wasn't the man she thought he was.

And now, she had no idea how to escape.