Billionaire’s Wicked Obsession

The rain fell gently, drumming against the roof in a soothing rhythm. I sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the window covered in droplets. The cold air wrapped around the room, but that wasn't what made my chest feel tight.

The bedroom door opened slowly, and the sound of familiar footsteps approached. I didn't turn around, but I knew he was there.

"Elsie..." His voice was deep, gentle, yet carried something indescribable.

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment before daring to look at him. Pierce stood there, his expression calm, though his eyes held a trace of concern.

"What are you doing here?" I asked softly.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he stepped closer, closing the distance between us until I could feel his presence so vividly. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay," he finally said.

I smiled faintly, though it felt bittersweet. "I'm always okay, Pierce."

He stared at me for a long time, as if searching for the truth behind my words. "You don't always have to pretend to be strong in front of me, Elsie."

My heart pounded faster. There was something about the way he said my name that made me weak.

"I'm just... scared," I whispered honestly.

Pierce knelt in front of me, taking my hands in his and holding them tightly. "Scared of what?"

I swallowed hard, meeting his patient gaze. "Scared of losing you. Scared of making the wrong choice and hurting both of us in the end."

He took a deep breath, then lifted my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against it. "Elsie, I'm not going anywhere."

My chest tightened again, but this time, not out of fear—rather, from the hope that slowly crept in.

"I don't want to make you wait too long," I murmured, my voice barely audible.

Pierce gave me a small smile. "I don't care how long it takes. I just want you to know that I'll always be here for you."

I stared at him, letting his words sink into my heart. Maybe, this time, I could trust someone without fearing the pain at the end of the story.

And maybe, Pierce was right—I didn't have to face everything alone anymore.

The rain continued to fall outside, a rhythmic melody against the windows. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows across the room, making the moment feel even more fragile, as if the wrong word could shatter everything between us.

Pierce's hands were still wrapped around mine, his warmth a stark contrast to the cold that lingered in the air. His thumb brushed gently against my skin, as if grounding me to the present, pulling me away from the endless worries swirling in my mind.

"You're overthinking again," he murmured, his gaze never leaving mine.

I let out a shaky breath. "Maybe I am. But can you blame me?"

He shook his head slightly. "No. But I wish you'd let me carry some of that weight for you."

I swallowed hard. Letting someone in had never been easy for me, and Pierce knew that. But he was patient—always patient.

"How do you do it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Do what?"

"Stay so sure. Stay... here."

Pierce sighed, his grip on my hands tightening just slightly. "Because I meant it when I said I wouldn't leave. Because when I look at you, Elsie, I see something worth fighting for. Even if you can't see it yet."

My heart ached at his words, the sincerity in his voice wrapping around me like a shield against the doubts clawing at my mind.

"I'm scared, Pierce," I admitted, the words spilling out before I could stop them.

His expression softened. "I know."

Silence stretched between us, filled only by the distant hum of the rain. Then, slowly, he brought his hands up to my face, cradling it gently.

"Let me prove to you that you don't have to be," he whispered.

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of his touch seep into me, letting myself believe—just for a second—that maybe, just maybe, this time things could be different.

When I opened my eyes, Pierce was still there, waiting, unwavering.

And for the first time in a long time, I found myself wanting to believe in the promise of his presence.

The rain fell heavier outside, but inside the room, the atmosphere felt so calm, as if the world out there no longer mattered. It was just the two of us, silent, yet full of emotions binding us together.

I looked at Pierce, still holding my hand, his eyes filled with sincerity and hope, making my chest tighten. But this time, it wasn't out of fear—this time, it was something else. A flicker of light slowly crept into my heart, one that had been tightly closed for so long.

"Pierce," I called his name, my voice softer than before. "Are you really sure? That I can… trust you completely?"

Pierce didn't answer immediately. He just stared at me, as if wanting to make sure that I truly wanted to hear him. Then, gently, he spoke, "I can't promise that everything will be perfect, Elsie. But I can promise one thing—I'll always be here for you, in good times and bad. I'll fight for us."

I swallowed hard, the feeling of hope rising once again, mixed with fear. I wanted to trust him, to surrender a part of myself that I had kept hidden for so long. But the fear of getting hurt again lingered.

"I'm scared if I hope too much," I said softly, almost inaudible. "I'm scared that hope will just pull me deeper."

Pierce leaned in closer, lifting my face gently with his hand, forcing me to meet his gaze. "There's nothing wrong with hoping, Elsie. There's nothing wrong with giving ourselves a chance at happiness."

There was a certainty in his words that made me pause. Maybe all this time, I had been too focused on the fear and pain that might come, and forgotten that happiness could come in unexpected ways.

I sighed, then slowly nodded. "I'll try," I said, my voice trembling, yet full of determination. "I'll try to trust."

Pierce smiled, a warm smile full of happiness. "That's more than enough, Elsie."

For the first time, I felt a little freer—freer from the fear that had bound me, freer to try and believe that maybe, just maybe, I could find happiness in the arms of someone who never gave up on me.

"Thank you, Pierce," I whispered, my voice almost lost in the wind that softly blew outside.

He simply nodded, still looking at me with deep care. "Never doubt, Elsie. I'll always be here."

And though the rain continued to pour heavily outside, within us, a new promise had been made—a promise not just about love, but about trust, understanding, and the courage to walk together even when the road ahead was uncertain.