𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 18+

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟑

This chapter will be brief, as the next one marks a significant turning point in the story. For now, we'll dive deeper into Mia's thoughts and add a touch of romance. Enjoy!

𝐌𝐈𝐀 𝐏𝐎𝐕
• • •

⋆༺𓆩☠︎︎𓆪༻⋆

I stared at the soft glow of the desk lamp in Professor Mikkelsen's office, its warm light casting a gentle amber hue across the room. The shadows stretched and flickered, dancing across the shelves stacked with books on criminal psychology and justice, and the walls, adorned with certificates and accolades, were a testament to his intellect. His office always felt like a haven—quiet, comforting, and yet... intense.

But tonight, even this familiar comfort wasn't enough to settle the restlessness twisting inside me. My thoughts were tangled, looping endlessly around what had happened. Eloise had almost attacked Claire—attacked her like she was a threat. It wasn't the Eloise I knew. Eloise was always the calm one, the one who could keep her emotions in check, even when things got tough. But that day in the conference room... she had been someone else entirely. I couldn't shake the image of her, wild-eyed, gripping that pen, looking like she was ready to...

I swallowed hard and shook my head, trying to push the memory away. Why had Eloise done that? What was going on in her mind? It felt like something was slipping—like she was slipping—and I had no idea how to help her.

"Mia?"

Professor Mikkelsen's voice was deep and smooth, cutting through my spiraling thoughts, bringing me back to the present. I blinked and looked up at him, realizing I'd been staring blankly at the desk. He was sitting across from me in his usual chair, his posture relaxed, but there was a subtle tension in the way he studied me, his hazel eyes warm and thoughtful. God, he looked so... cute. No, not just cute. Gorgeous. The way his hair fell slightly across his forehead, tousled like he'd just run his hands through it. The way his shirt sleeves were rolled up, exposing strong forearms. Everything about him was effortlessly... alluring.

I felt a heat rise in my cheeks, my heart skipping a beat. I hated that he could do this to me with just a look, just a simple gaze that made me feel like I was the only person in the room.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, trying to pull myself together, feeling ridiculously flustered. "I didn't hear you."

He smiled softly, leaning forward a bit, his elbows resting on his knees. "You seemed deep in thought. Is everything okay?"

I hesitated, unsure if I should say anything. But the words tumbled out before I could stop them. "I'm worried about Eloise."

His expression didn't change much, but I could see the flicker of something in his eyes—curiosity, maybe. Concern? It was hard to tell. He always had this way of keeping his emotions guarded, like he was reading you, assessing you, but never giving too much of himself away.

"I've noticed," he said quietly, his voice calm, steady. "She's been... different lately, hasn't she?"

I nodded, biting my lip. "Yeah. I don't know what's going on with her. I mean, we've all been under a lot of stress with the trial coming up, but this... this is something else. She was going to hurt Claire, and I've never seen her like that. It's like she's slipping away, and I don't know how to reach her."

He tilted his head slightly, watching me with those intense hazel eyes, and suddenly the air in the room felt heavier, thicker. "Eloise is strong," he said softly. "Whatever's going on with her... she'll get through it."