The Ex Who Became His Obsession - Chapter 41: Chapter 41
You are reading The Ex Who Became His Obsession, Chapter 41: Chapter 41. Read more chapters of The Ex Who Became His Obsession.
"I'm still waiting for an answer. Where exactly are you headed?" Leonard pressed and settled onto the sofa.
The living room was small, furnished with nothing but a tiny loveseat.
Leonard brushed aside the dresses, rubbing his fingertips together as the coarse feel of the cheap fabric stubbornly clung to them.
After all these years of living together, Leonard knew Alyssia's wardrobe inside out.
She'd managed to acquire all these vibrant dresses in the mere half-month since she left him.
Leonard had no idea Alyssia would ever favor colors other than white. Nor did he realize how stunning Alyssia looked in dresses of other colors.
Compared to her former ethereal and pristine beauty, she now exuded a lively, carefree charm, a different kind of sweetness altogether.
Alyssia checked the time, anxiety creeping in. 'If this drags on any longer, I'm going to be late for the team-building event,' she thought.
"Mr. Rivera, I have my own schedule—" Alyssia caught herself, thinking, 'You have no right to interfere anymore.'
But Alyssia abruptly changed her tone. "Mr. Rivera, was there something you needed?"
"Come sit here," Leonard commanded, stretching his arm along the back of the sofa.
If Alyssia moved closer, she'd end up nestled right in the crook of Leonard's arm.
In the past, just such a privilege would have sent her bounding over like a fawn, throwing herself into his arms without a second thought.
But now, Alyssia just stood there, a hint of aloofness and awkwardness showing in her gaze.
Leonard's gaze darkened slightly, and his voice edged with a subtle threat. "You come here, or I come to you?"
Alyssia had no choice.
She cast a furtive glance at the door. The door stood ajar, the hallway beyond deathly quiet. But Alyssia knew Leonard would never come alone.
Alyssia let out a soft, resigned sigh and reluctantly walked over, perching on the far edge of the sofa to keep as much distance from Leonard as possible.
"Leon—" Alyssia's words were abruptly cut off as Leonard suddenly hooked an arm around her waist and yanked her forcefully into his embrace.
Alyssia struggled frantically, fear gripping her.
Leonard flipped over decisively, trapping Alyssia beneath him with his leg and completely immobilizing her as half his body weight crushed down on her.
With one hand pinning her down, he clamped her jaw with the other.
"I won't even demand an apology from you now," Leonard said, his tone still dripping with condescension. "As long as you quit Vanguard Media and come back with me, I'll let all past matters slide."
Alyssia understood. He wanted sex.
In the past, though Leonard would appear and disappear like a phantom, he never failed to make love to Alyssia whenever he desired her.
Sometimes, when passing by Rosewood Manor, he'd go upstairs just for a quick, perfunctory sex. As soon as it was over, he'd leave immediately, often disappearing for two or three days.
That was why he kept Alyssia confined to Rosewood Manor around the clock, never letting her wander, never granting her a shred of freedom. Because her freedom got in the way of his unpredictable desires.
Alyssia felt a laugh rising within her. She murmured, "Mr. Rivera—"
Leonard cut her off, "Call me Lenny." For now, since he was the one asking a favor, his expression was deceptively gentle. His fingers traced her cheek, and even his warning sounded soft.
"If I ever hear you call me Mr. Rivera like others again, you'll find your tongue missing," Leonard added.
"Leonard," Alyssia defied him. She was done with his mercurial push-and-pull, done living at the mercy of his moods, and she refused to make him her entire world.
When Leonard was in a good mood, Alyssia would be overjoyed; but the moment his face clouded over, she'd be so terrified she barely dared to breathe.
"Leonard, we're done. Don't overstep your boundaries," Alyssia said.
Leonard's grip tightened with every word Alyssia spoke, his fingers digging in deeper as her words landed. "So what?" A storm brewed in his eyes. "Are you going on a date with Charlie?"
Leonard thought, 'All dressed up like this, just to go see some other man?'
"I'm going to a team-building event," she said. Alyssia's eyes were now devoid of the reverence and adoration they once held, cold as ice. "A normal social life, the kind normal people have.
"A life I can only live after leaving you, one where I'm treated like a free-willed individual."
Alyssia used to live like nothing more than an accessory in Leonard's life, a soulless puppet, draining every ounce of her being just to love him.
Leonard actually smiled. His chilling smile sent shivers down her spine. "You think the Rivera family never treated you well?"
"You said it. I'm nothing more than a maid the Rivera family raised." Alyssia lowered her lashes, a cold glint flickering in her eyes.
Leonard gritted his teeth and wondered, 'All she ever remembers are the harsh words I spat out in a fit of rage, but she conveniently forgets all the kindness the Rivera family has shown her over the years.
'She never forgets a wrong, but always overlooks a kindness, nothing like her grateful parents.'
"Mr. Rivera?" came a low, cautious voice from outside the door.
Alyssia immediately recognized the voice. It was Rocco's.
Rocco was far more astute than Joseph. He knew exactly when to speak up without risking Leonard's wrath.
True enough, Leonard shifted slightly, his gaze still locked on Alyssia's face. "Wait."
"I'll be away on business for a few days," Leonard finally steered back to the point. "How about coming with me?"
Alyssia was nothing short of astonished.
Leonard had never taken her out, not to parties, not to public events, not even on trips, let alone his business trips.
For seven long years, Alyssia had been nothing more than a beautiful ornament, confined to Rosewood Manor—just something pretty to look at, never truly acknowledged.
If this had happened before, just hearing him say that would have sent me over the moon, wouldn't it?
But now, all Alyssia felt was a faint ripple in her heart, a mix of regret, bitterness, and self-mockery, yet above all, a profound sense of release.
"Leonard," she repeated flatly, "we're done."
Alyssia wondered, 'It's over. It's really over. We're done. Just how many times do I have to say it before Leonard finally gets it?'
Alyssia didn't fool herself into believing that Leonard didn't want to break up.
The truth was, Leonard never took anything she said to heart. He was so self-absorbed and domineering. His mind only ever held his opinions, deaf to any other voice.
With such a self-assured, single-minded personality, paired with razor-sharp business acumen and keen commercial instincts, he was a natural-born titan in the world of finance.
But when it came to personal relationships, that domineering nature of his was simply suffocating.
"Mr. Rivera?" In the dead silence, Rocco's voice cut through once more. "Time's up."
Leonard finally rose to his feet. He looked down at Alyssia with icy detachment. "You will have ten days to think over. Grandpa's 80th birthday is your final deadline."
'Alyssia, don't force my hand,' Leonard wondered and strode out the door.
Rocco, standing outside the door, and Alyssia, inside, both let out a sigh of relief almost simultaneously.
Joseph had lost his composure earlier, so now he had lost the privilege of accompanying Leonard to see Alyssia.
Joseph had been waiting in the car downstairs. When he saw Leonard return, he immediately and respectfully presented a heated eye mask. "It's a bit of a drive to the airport, Mr. Rivera. Perhaps you'd like to get some rest?"
Leonard hadn't budged since Alyssia entered the complex last night. He had gone up to Alyssia's place before noon and only just came down now. Joseph wondered if he'd gotten any rest at all.
Leonard ignored the eye mask and ordered icily, "Go to the car behind us and get Rocco here."
Joseph was totally stunned and wondered, 'What? Rocco's not content with just being Mr. Rivera's assistant. Now he's sticking his nose into Mr. Rivera's private affairs?'
Rocco, bewildered by Joseph's sullen, resentful glare, got into the car.
The car had barely started moving when Leonard demanded, "What exactly do you think she's making such a fuss about?"
This was the first time Leonard had ever asked Rocco about Alyssia. He had always maintained a strict separation between his professional and personal life, never bringing private affairs into his work.
Rocco remained calm. After a few seconds of careful thought, he replied cautiously, "Could it be because of the butterfly brooch?"
The living room was small, furnished with nothing but a tiny loveseat.
Leonard brushed aside the dresses, rubbing his fingertips together as the coarse feel of the cheap fabric stubbornly clung to them.
After all these years of living together, Leonard knew Alyssia's wardrobe inside out.
She'd managed to acquire all these vibrant dresses in the mere half-month since she left him.
Leonard had no idea Alyssia would ever favor colors other than white. Nor did he realize how stunning Alyssia looked in dresses of other colors.
Compared to her former ethereal and pristine beauty, she now exuded a lively, carefree charm, a different kind of sweetness altogether.
Alyssia checked the time, anxiety creeping in. 'If this drags on any longer, I'm going to be late for the team-building event,' she thought.
"Mr. Rivera, I have my own schedule—" Alyssia caught herself, thinking, 'You have no right to interfere anymore.'
But Alyssia abruptly changed her tone. "Mr. Rivera, was there something you needed?"
"Come sit here," Leonard commanded, stretching his arm along the back of the sofa.
If Alyssia moved closer, she'd end up nestled right in the crook of Leonard's arm.
In the past, just such a privilege would have sent her bounding over like a fawn, throwing herself into his arms without a second thought.
But now, Alyssia just stood there, a hint of aloofness and awkwardness showing in her gaze.
Leonard's gaze darkened slightly, and his voice edged with a subtle threat. "You come here, or I come to you?"
Alyssia had no choice.
She cast a furtive glance at the door. The door stood ajar, the hallway beyond deathly quiet. But Alyssia knew Leonard would never come alone.
Alyssia let out a soft, resigned sigh and reluctantly walked over, perching on the far edge of the sofa to keep as much distance from Leonard as possible.
"Leon—" Alyssia's words were abruptly cut off as Leonard suddenly hooked an arm around her waist and yanked her forcefully into his embrace.
Alyssia struggled frantically, fear gripping her.
Leonard flipped over decisively, trapping Alyssia beneath him with his leg and completely immobilizing her as half his body weight crushed down on her.
With one hand pinning her down, he clamped her jaw with the other.
"I won't even demand an apology from you now," Leonard said, his tone still dripping with condescension. "As long as you quit Vanguard Media and come back with me, I'll let all past matters slide."
Alyssia understood. He wanted sex.
In the past, though Leonard would appear and disappear like a phantom, he never failed to make love to Alyssia whenever he desired her.
Sometimes, when passing by Rosewood Manor, he'd go upstairs just for a quick, perfunctory sex. As soon as it was over, he'd leave immediately, often disappearing for two or three days.
That was why he kept Alyssia confined to Rosewood Manor around the clock, never letting her wander, never granting her a shred of freedom. Because her freedom got in the way of his unpredictable desires.
Alyssia felt a laugh rising within her. She murmured, "Mr. Rivera—"
Leonard cut her off, "Call me Lenny." For now, since he was the one asking a favor, his expression was deceptively gentle. His fingers traced her cheek, and even his warning sounded soft.
"If I ever hear you call me Mr. Rivera like others again, you'll find your tongue missing," Leonard added.
"Leonard," Alyssia defied him. She was done with his mercurial push-and-pull, done living at the mercy of his moods, and she refused to make him her entire world.
When Leonard was in a good mood, Alyssia would be overjoyed; but the moment his face clouded over, she'd be so terrified she barely dared to breathe.
"Leonard, we're done. Don't overstep your boundaries," Alyssia said.
Leonard's grip tightened with every word Alyssia spoke, his fingers digging in deeper as her words landed. "So what?" A storm brewed in his eyes. "Are you going on a date with Charlie?"
Leonard thought, 'All dressed up like this, just to go see some other man?'
"I'm going to a team-building event," she said. Alyssia's eyes were now devoid of the reverence and adoration they once held, cold as ice. "A normal social life, the kind normal people have.
"A life I can only live after leaving you, one where I'm treated like a free-willed individual."
Alyssia used to live like nothing more than an accessory in Leonard's life, a soulless puppet, draining every ounce of her being just to love him.
Leonard actually smiled. His chilling smile sent shivers down her spine. "You think the Rivera family never treated you well?"
"You said it. I'm nothing more than a maid the Rivera family raised." Alyssia lowered her lashes, a cold glint flickering in her eyes.
Leonard gritted his teeth and wondered, 'All she ever remembers are the harsh words I spat out in a fit of rage, but she conveniently forgets all the kindness the Rivera family has shown her over the years.
'She never forgets a wrong, but always overlooks a kindness, nothing like her grateful parents.'
"Mr. Rivera?" came a low, cautious voice from outside the door.
Alyssia immediately recognized the voice. It was Rocco's.
Rocco was far more astute than Joseph. He knew exactly when to speak up without risking Leonard's wrath.
True enough, Leonard shifted slightly, his gaze still locked on Alyssia's face. "Wait."
"I'll be away on business for a few days," Leonard finally steered back to the point. "How about coming with me?"
Alyssia was nothing short of astonished.
Leonard had never taken her out, not to parties, not to public events, not even on trips, let alone his business trips.
For seven long years, Alyssia had been nothing more than a beautiful ornament, confined to Rosewood Manor—just something pretty to look at, never truly acknowledged.
If this had happened before, just hearing him say that would have sent me over the moon, wouldn't it?
But now, all Alyssia felt was a faint ripple in her heart, a mix of regret, bitterness, and self-mockery, yet above all, a profound sense of release.
"Leonard," she repeated flatly, "we're done."
Alyssia wondered, 'It's over. It's really over. We're done. Just how many times do I have to say it before Leonard finally gets it?'
Alyssia didn't fool herself into believing that Leonard didn't want to break up.
The truth was, Leonard never took anything she said to heart. He was so self-absorbed and domineering. His mind only ever held his opinions, deaf to any other voice.
With such a self-assured, single-minded personality, paired with razor-sharp business acumen and keen commercial instincts, he was a natural-born titan in the world of finance.
But when it came to personal relationships, that domineering nature of his was simply suffocating.
"Mr. Rivera?" In the dead silence, Rocco's voice cut through once more. "Time's up."
Leonard finally rose to his feet. He looked down at Alyssia with icy detachment. "You will have ten days to think over. Grandpa's 80th birthday is your final deadline."
'Alyssia, don't force my hand,' Leonard wondered and strode out the door.
Rocco, standing outside the door, and Alyssia, inside, both let out a sigh of relief almost simultaneously.
Joseph had lost his composure earlier, so now he had lost the privilege of accompanying Leonard to see Alyssia.
Joseph had been waiting in the car downstairs. When he saw Leonard return, he immediately and respectfully presented a heated eye mask. "It's a bit of a drive to the airport, Mr. Rivera. Perhaps you'd like to get some rest?"
Leonard hadn't budged since Alyssia entered the complex last night. He had gone up to Alyssia's place before noon and only just came down now. Joseph wondered if he'd gotten any rest at all.
Leonard ignored the eye mask and ordered icily, "Go to the car behind us and get Rocco here."
Joseph was totally stunned and wondered, 'What? Rocco's not content with just being Mr. Rivera's assistant. Now he's sticking his nose into Mr. Rivera's private affairs?'
Rocco, bewildered by Joseph's sullen, resentful glare, got into the car.
The car had barely started moving when Leonard demanded, "What exactly do you think she's making such a fuss about?"
This was the first time Leonard had ever asked Rocco about Alyssia. He had always maintained a strict separation between his professional and personal life, never bringing private affairs into his work.
Rocco remained calm. After a few seconds of careful thought, he replied cautiously, "Could it be because of the butterfly brooch?"
End of The Ex Who Became His Obsession Chapter 41. Continue reading Chapter 42 or return to The Ex Who Became His Obsession book page.