Bound by Obsession

Chapter 2: The Web Tightens

Bella's heels clicked softly against the polished marble floor as she strolled into her dimly lit apartment. She set her purse down, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of a champagne glass that still sat on the counter from last night.

The encounter with Jacob and Edward had gone even better than she imagined. She had seen it—the doubt flickering in Edward's eyes. Jacob's overbearing protectiveness was starting to wear on him, and Bella knew it was only a matter of time before the cracks widened.

"They'll break soon," she whispered to herself, pouring herself a drink. "All I have to do is keep pushing."

She walked over to the window, gazing out at the city skyline. The glow of lights in the distance felt almost symbolic—each one a piece of the life she wanted, the life Jacob and Edward had together. And she was ready to rip it apart.

Her phone buzzed on the counter, the glow of the screen casting an eerie light in the otherwise dark apartment. Bella's lips curled into a smile as she saw the name flash across the screen.

Unknown Number.

She didn't need to guess who it was.

Picking up the phone, she answered in a cool, calm voice, "Did you get what I asked for?"

A pause. Then a low, gravelly voice responded, "I've got everything. Jacob Black's past... his weaknesses. But this is dangerous, Bella. You're playing with fire."

Bella's smile widened as she looked into the reflection of her own eyes in the window. "Let it burn."

Bella hung up the phone, her mind spinning with possibilities. The man she'd hired had uncovered secrets about Jacob—pieces of his past that even Edward didn't know. A scandal or a whisper at the right time could shatter their relationship. But it wasn't enough to just break them apart; Bella wanted to see Jacob suffer for firing her, for choosing Edward over her.

She leaned back against the counter, the cold glass in her hand. Her thoughts swirled, merging with the bitterness she'd felt ever since she was thrown out of Jacob's mansion. He had underestimated her—seen her as nothing more than a mere maid. But now, she was about to prove just how dangerous she could be.

Her phone buzzed again. This time it was a text message.

"Meet me tomorrow at the usual spot. We need to talk."

It was from the same unknown number. She stared at it for a moment, then locked her phone and placed it back on the counter. Tomorrow, everything would fall into place. But tonight? Tonight, she would celebrate the beginning of Jacob's downfall.

Meanwhile, back at Jacob's penthouse,

Edward sat on the edge of their bed, staring at the engagement ring Jacob had given him just a few months ago. It glittered under the soft bedroom light, but to Edward, it felt heavier than it should. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Ever since Bella showed up earlier, a strange tension had been hanging between him and Jacob, something unspoken but heavy, like a storm waiting to break.

Jacob walked into the room, his presence filling the space immediately. He tossed his jacket onto the chair and sat down beside Edward, his hand resting on his shoulder. "You're quiet tonight."

Edward bit his lip, hesitating for a moment before speaking. "It's just... Bella. Her showing up like that, it feels off."

Jacob's eyes flashed dangerously at the mention of her name. "I told you, she's trouble. I'll handle her."

"You keep saying that," Edward replied, turning to face him. "But this overprotectiveness, Jacob... it's too much. I can take care of myself."

Jacob's grip on Edward's shoulder tightened for a split second before he quickly let go, his gaze softening. "I know, but you don't understand. She's... dangerous." His voice dropped to a whisper. "There are things about her—about me—that you don't know."

Edward frowned. "Then tell me. You keep saying there are secrets, but you never explain."

Jacob stood up, running a hand through his hair, his back turned to Edward. The air in the room felt heavy, thick with tension and something else, something unspoken. "There's a side of me I've tried to keep hidden from you, for your own safety."

Edward rose to his feet, crossing the room to face Jacob. "I don't care what you're hiding, Jacob. But if you don't trust me enough to tell me the truth, how can we move forward?"

Jacob's amber eyes flickered with something primal, something dark, as he looked down at Edward. "You wouldn't understand what it means to be like me," he said, his voice low and strained. "The things I've had to protect you from, the dangers that you can't even imagine..."

Before Edward could respond, Jacob's phone rang, cutting through the tension like a knife. Jacob glanced at the screen, his expression hardening.

"It's work. I have to take this," he said, his voice clipped. Without another word, he stepped out of the room, leaving Edward standing alone, the silence between them stretching on, thicker than ever.

Back in her apartment

Bella poured herself another glass of champagne, her mind still racing with plans for tomorrow. She could already see the cracks forming between Jacob and Edward. All it would take was the right push, and everything would come crumbling down.

And when it did, she'd be there to pick up the pieces.