Obsession Series: Steal My Life

Chapter Nine

February 25th

So, you think that you’re just going to walk away from me unscathed? That I’m going to take your pity-payment? You’d better think again…

Sofia hunched over the desk, a fountain pen in hand. Scraps of paper littered the desk, as well as a few calligraphy books. She hummed to herself as she completed the last loopy ‘g’.

Well, I’ve got news for you, Mr. King…

With a wide grin, Sofia picked up the sheet of paper and held it side-by-side with an old check.

It was a perfect match.

You see, you think you can walk away, but the truth is... you can’t. You might walk away, but I’m going to skip away a very rich woman…

She laughed at the two papers—the two matching signatures. One had been scribbled in haste by Gregory and the other replicated through intensive study by Sofia.

Yet, both signatures read ‘Gregory King.’

“Perfect,” she muttered. “Absolutely perfect!”

Ring. Ring.

Sighing, Sofia replaced the papers on her desk and reached for the house phone. “Hello?” she called, picking up the receiver.

“Sofia… it’s good to hear your voice.”

“What do you want, Gregory?”

“I…I made a mistake. A huge mistake.”

“Oh really? What was your mistake?”

“Leaving you. Sofia, I’m sorry I left. So sorry—“

She laughed over the line. “Sorry? You think saying sorry will make things alright? You broke my heart, Gregory! You told me to get rid of our baby!”

“Sofia, I didn’t mean it! Really, I—“

“You ruined it, Gregory. You ruined everything!”

Smirking, Sofia slammed down the phone, hanging up. She burst out laughing, clutching her sides.

You stupid, stupid boy… You little fool… I knew you’d come crawling back…

Not that it mattered. She no longer needed Gregory King. She could easily rip him off for everything he was currently worth. A little bit of forgery could go a long way for her—far enough that she could disappear with her unborn child and her lover.

Where Gregory King could never find—or hit—her ever again.

He’d give her one more chance. If their relationship could last long enough for him to gain sole custody of their child, then he’d let her walk away. He’d divorce her, pay her a handsome sum in alimony, and keep their child. A son, he hoped.

If it hadn’t been for their child, he would’ve just killed her out of spite.

Not that Sofia knew that. No, no, she was much too air-headed to understand that. She was much too similar to the women his father had dated. The same type of women who threw themselves at him during high school and all throughout college.

Worthless, worthless whores…

Nothing like Lina. Nothing like Melissa.

Lina—his little, angelic Lina.

His one regret was leaving her. He should’ve taken her with him, even though he would’ve been ill prepared to care for her. Anything would’ve been better than leaving her with his father.

He picked up the framed photograph, smiling at the toothless girl. Lina’s golden eyes were bright and lively—a sharp contrast to the ice-blue of the teenager holding her.

Mathew. Mathew had taken the burden of raising Lina. Of protecting her from the drunk-fueled fists of their father.

He lifted Lina from the crib, cradling her in his arms. He smiled down at her. Lina… his little angel.

He looked over at his younger brother. “You wanna hold Angel, Mat?”

Mat held out his arms, taking Lina. A small smile crossed her face. Mathew grinned, bouncing her a little as her eyes opened.

“I think Lina likes ya, Matty!”

“What’s going on in here?!” their father shouted, stepping into the room.

“N…nothing…” He stumbled over his words, freezing in place.

Gregory was backhanded upside the head. He yelped in pain, stumbling back from his dad.

Lina started to cry, upset by the situation.

He reached for his baby sister, his brown eyes locking with Mathew’s ice blue ones. Mat nodded, quickly handing over Lina as he turned to face their father.

Gregory took off, clutching Lina to his chest.

She continued to cry as he headed towards the barn at the back of their property.

“Ssh, Lina…I’ve got you, Angel. You’re safe…” he murmured, attempting to soothe her.

He relaxed a little, sitting down on a hay bale in the old barn. He rocked her in his arms.

Her golden eyes looked up, her bottom lip stuck out like she might cry.

“I promise… I’ll protect you. I’ll get you out of here someday. Mat and I… we’ll take care of you, Angel-face…”

She rubbed her eyes with her tiny fists, exhausted again.

“Ssh, Lina… sleep, Baby…”

He cuddled her closer as she fell asleep.

He hadn’t kept his promise. He hadn’t gotten Lina out. It’d been a few years since his escape, yet he hadn’t gone back for her. He hadn’t even talked to any of his five brothers since he left.

Gregory had walked away as unscathed as he could and started over. A new life, a new name—he’d even done the old trick of requesting a birth certificate for a dead child. A child who’s name happened to be Gregory King.

But even as Gregory, he couldn’t forget his past. He couldn’t forget Lina.

Soon, Angel. I’ll get you out soon.

“Sofia!” He banged on the apartment door with his fist. “SOFIA!”

“Go away, Gregory!”

“Sofia, I need to talk to you!”

“We’re done talking!”

He growled, pounding on the door louder. “I’m not! Sofia, I made a mistake!”

“Get out of here before I call the cops on you!” she shouted through the wood. “Get out of here!”

“Sofia, please! Just listen to me… just give me five minutes!”

“No! Get lost!”

“Sofia, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean all that… I… I was confused!”

“GET OUT OF HERE!”

He heard her kick the door. He’d never seen—or rather, heard—Sofia angry before.

“I screwed up, and I’m sorry! I’M SORRY!”

“Sorry doesn’t cut it! Get out!”

“I’ve been thinking… I still want to marry you. I want to raise our child. Sofia, please…” Gregory called, allowing sadness to creep into his voice.

“Why should I believe that?”

“I’ve been doing some thinking… and I really miss you, Sofia. Please, please give me another chance…”

You take my child from me and I’ll kill you, Sofia. I will kill you.

A loud sigh, then, a pause. Finally, she said, “Okay… one more chance…”

Author’s Notes:

I’m so sorry that it took me so long to update! I finished up Fatal Target, so Obsession is now my number one priority. I’ve even made it my creative writing class assignment so that I’ll keep going on it. It’s been a slow start since I never recovered my notes on the series. I’ve also made some changes to the other chapters, which I will upload hopefully over the weekend.

Also, major thanks to My Brighter Darkness for helping me with some plotting and character issues. Mathew and Lina belong to her and her PET series, which is tying in a bit with Obsession and also the Carter Series. Thanks again, little sis! :-D

Anyways, thank you for continuing to read! Please review—I just love reviews, even if it just is a ‘please update soon’. I do accept anonymous reviews.

Enjoy!