Found Obsession

Chapter 99: Elijah's POV

Elijah paced back and forth in his dimly lit room, his eyes darting to the wall where Rose's pictures were pinned. He traced the edges of one photograph, his knuckles tightening until they turned white.

His gaze flicked to the bed, and a familiar anger flared within him. This bed. That night. The memory seared into his mind—the night she had been his more than once.

But now, his mind tormented him with another image: Rose kissing Jonathan Adler.

"Jonathan Adler," he hissed, the name rolling off his tongue like venom.

The Adlers were an important family, the Hansley's being the leaders. Elijah was certain they would be on those lists. And Jonathan he didn't even need to do a research to know—he was the favorite son, his reputation preceded him.

Killing him would be a personal pleasure far more personal than the rest. 

But Jonathan was a complication. His battle skills and strategys were renowned, making him dangerous. Elijah had tried to reach Rose, to confront her, to demand answers about her betrayal—for choosing Jonathan over him. Yet every attempt had failed.

She hadn't gone home. Night after night, Elijah found himself staring at her empty bed, his teeth clenched in frustration.

She's with him.

The thought burned in his mind like an open wound. He imagined them together, sharing a bed, and his fury spiraled out of control. Each evening, he watched her leave work and fall into Jonathan's arms, allowing herself to be taken by him. He had tried following them a few times, but every time he lost their trail, his rage deepened.

Why was she staying with the man her father had used to whip her? Why? 

His frustration was beginning to reach its limits.

And then there was Mark Delaney.

Elijah's hands curled into fists. Mark. He would also loose trail on him. Almost as if he knew he was coming for him. 

Elijah narrowed his eyes. His instinct told him something was up, and the sensation caused a stir in him.

Elijah had been certain Rose would come for him, that she would track his every step, chase him. Each time he took another victim, he expected her presence—a shadow at his back. But she hadn't come.

Her absence wasn't satisfying. It was infuriating. When she had stated she needed a few answers to chase him he had known she was right and to him it had been a good idea to exchange leads, while he got hands on her mother for the blue program she could go and see the orphanage.

He had replayed their last encounter over and over. She had deceived him, given him an address—a deliberate lead to her mother, or so he thought. His instincts had screamed it was a lie, but Rose had always been honest. Against his better judgment, he had followed her lead and he had exchanged the lead she needed.

She was brilliant enough, he knew she'd go to where he had given her the first Rose.

When he reached the address, there were signs it had been used, but it wasn't the place. She had given him a lead, yes, but one in where she knew her mother would no longer be. She had toyed with him, and that realization clawed at his pride.

His fury boiled over at the thought.

Elijah's obsession with her ran deep. He thought back to the moment he first realized who she was. The rich princess of the Hansleys. The detective chasing him. The irony had struck him like a punch to the gut. He had underestimated her, dismissing her as another spoiled product of her bloodline.