The Twisted Obsession-Chapter 304: Are you Okay?

Remo stepped inside the house, the scent of freshly baked cookies wafting through the air. The warmth of the aroma was comforting, but it clashed starkly with the cold dread that had settled deep in his chest. He followed the scent to the kitchen, where he found Abby humming softly to herself as she moved about the room, pulling a tray of cookies from the oven.

She looked up as he entered, her face lighting up with a smile that seemed almost too bright. "Remo! You’re home early," she chirped, setting the tray down and wiping her hands on her apron. "I thought I’d surprise you with some of your favorite cookies. I know how much you love them." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Remo forced a smile, the therapist’s words still echoing in his mind. He watched her carefully, noting the slight tremor in her hands as she adjusted the cookies on the tray. She was too cheerful, too energetic, as if she were trying to distract herself—or him—from something.

"They smell amazing," he said, trying to keep his tone light as he walked over to her. "You’ve been busy."

Abby giggled, a sound that had once filled him with joy but now only heightened his anxiety. "You know me, always needing to keep my hands busy. Otherwise, I’d just go crazy with boredom."

The word "crazy" lingered in the air between them, and Remo’s smile faltered. He wondered if she realized the weight of that word, if she was aware of how close she was to the edge. He reached out, placing a hand on her arm, and felt her stiffen slightly before relaxing into his touch.

"Abby," he began softly, trying to keep his voice steady, "is everything okay? You seem... different lately. Is there something on your mind?"

For a moment, her expression faltered, and Remo thought he saw a flicker of something in her eyes—fear, maybe, or uncertainty. But just as quickly, the mask was back in place, and she smiled up at him, her eyes shining with affection.

"Of course, everything’s fine," she said, her tone airy. "I’ve just been missing you, that’s all. You’ve been so busy lately, and I guess I’ve been feeling a little lonely."

Remo’s heart ached at her words, but there was something in her tone that didn’t sit right with him. It was too rehearsed, too polished, like she had anticipated this conversation and had her answers ready.

"I’m sorry if I’ve made you feel that way," he said, his thumb brushing lightly over her skin. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right? Whatever it is, I’m here for you."

Abby’s smile grew wider, but there was a hint of something strained in her eyes. "I know, Remo. You’re always so good to me. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

The words, though sweet, felt loaded with meaning. Remo could feel her clinging to him, not just physically but emotionally, as if she were holding on for dear life. He remembered the therapist’s warnings, the potential dangers of her obsession, and it made his chest tighten with dread.

"I just want to make sure you’re happy," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "If there’s anything bothering you, anything at all, I want to help."

Abby’s eyes darted away from his for a split second before she quickly masked the movement by leaning in and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "You already make me happy, Remo. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m just... tired, I guess. Maybe a little stressed. But nothing that can’t be fixed with a little time together."

Her words were meant to reassure him, but instead, they only deepened his concern. He could sense the distance growing between them, no matter how tightly she held on to him. She was pulling away, retreating into herself, and he didn’t know how to reach her.

As the evening wore on, Remo found himself watching Abby more closely than ever before. She moved around the house with a kind of frantic energy, always doing something—baking, cleaning, rearranging things that didn’t need to be rearranged. It was as if she couldn’t stand to be still, as if the silence and stillness brought thoughts she didn’t want to face.

He noticed how she would occasionally glance over her shoulder, as if checking to see if he was watching her. When their eyes met, she would smile, but there was a flicker of something else there, too—something darker, more anxious. It was as if she was afraid of something, but he couldn’t tell if that something was him or something within herself.

At one point, as they sat together on the couch, Remo tried to steer the conversation back to her feelings. "Abby, do you ever feel... overwhelmed? Like things are getting to be too much?"

She looked at him sharply, her smile faltering for just a second. "What do you mean?"

"Just... life," he said, choosing his words carefully. "Everything that’s been going on. I know it hasn’t been easy, and I want to make sure you’re okay. Really okay."

Abby stared at him for a long moment, her eyes searching his as if trying to find something in his words. Finally, she shook her head, her smile returning, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "I’m fine, Remo. Really. You worry too much."

He could hear the deflection in her tone, the way she was shutting down the conversation before it could go any deeper. It made his heart sink, and he found himself wondering how much of this he could endure before something had to give.

Later that night, after Abby had gone to bed, Remo sat alone in the living room, his mind racing. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was losing her, that the woman he loved was slipping away from him, retreating into a place where he couldn’t follow. He thought about the therapist’s advice, the suggestion to introduce the idea of getting help slowly, gently. But the thought of Abby seeing that as a betrayal made his stomach churn. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he also knew he couldn’t keep going like this, living in fear of what might happen if things continued to spiral out of control.

Remo knew he had to do something, but what? How could he help her without pushing her further away? The thought of confronting her directly filled him with dread, but the idea of doing nothing was just as terrifying. He was caught in a web of his own making, and every move he considered felt like it would only tighten the strands around them both.

As he finally made his way to bed, he found Abby already asleep, her face serene and peaceful. He stood there for a moment, watching her, his heart aching with a mix of love and fear. She looked so innocent, so vulnerable, and yet he knew that beneath thatt facade lay a darkness that he didn’t fully understand.

Climbing into bed beside her, Remo wrapped an arm around Abby, pulling her close. She murmured something in her sleep, nuzzling against him, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to believe that everything would be okay.

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