Chapter 83: Theron’s obsession

Inside the restaurant...

Once the waiter left, Theron turned his attention back to Elowen.

"Now, let’s talk business."

He took the tablet and opened the presentation files.

"I’ve been reviewing the proposed layout for the project launch. There is one section I’d like you to reconsider."

"Which one?" Elowen’s attention shifted to the tablet.

"The central commercial zone," he said. "I think we should give more prominence to the mixed-use development. The investors will be particularly interested in how the residential and commercial spaces complement each other."

Elowen studied the layout carefully.

"I understand what you mean. But if we expand the commercial section too much, we’ll have to compromise on the green spaces."

"That’s exactly why I wanted your opinion. You know the design better than anyone else."

He turned the tablet toward her.

Elowen leaned forward, explaining her ideas. She pointed out the areas that needed improvement and suggested a few changes.

Theron listened attentively.

They were so engrossed in the discussion that they were unaware how close they had moved to each other.

Their shoulders touched slightly.

Theron went still.

He could catch the faint fragrance of her shampoo, mixed with the delicate scent of her perfume. It was intoxicatingly familiar.

His heart began to beat faster. He turned his head slightly, stealing a glance at her.

Elowen was completely absorbed in the presentation, unaware of his lingering gaze.

Outside, Daphne’s eyes went sharper. She zoomed in on their shoulders nearly touching. From her angle, Theron appeared to be leaning toward Elowen, his face dangerously close to hers. It almost looked as though he was about to kiss her.

She paused the video and took a photograph. "Perfect." A malicious smile spread across her face. "This is scandalous enough to ruin Elowen’s image."

"Look at this," Elowen said, zooming in on the layout. "If we shift this part to the east, we can create more space for the landscape area."

Theron nodded, though he barely registered her words. All he could think about was how close she was.

An overwhelming urge seized him.

He wanted to slide his arms around her waist, pull her against him, and bury his face in her hair. He wanted to kiss her until she forgot there was anyone else in the room.

His fingers twitched against the table.

He imagined her turning to him with surprise, her beautiful amber eyes meeting his. He imagined crossing the remaining distance between them.

His jaw tightened.

He knew she would never welcome such a gesture. Elowen had come believing they were discussing work. Yet the thought of keeping his hands to himself was becoming increasingly difficult.

He closed his eyes momentarily. He had spent so long waiting for her from a distance that even these insignificant moments of closeness were beginning to feel like something he couldn’t live without.

"Look at this section," Elowen continued. "I think we should change the entrance."

Her voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He opened his eyes.

He looked at the tablet. "Perhaps we should."

Although he said that, he wasn’t paying attention. His mind was somewhere else.

"That’s right," she continued. "Then I’ll change it here."

She was completely absorbed in her work.

Theron, however, wasn’t looking at the screen. His gaze lingered on her profile—the delicate curve of her cheek, the strands of her hair framing her face, and the slight movement of her lips as she spoke.

He wanted to touch her, just to brush that strand of her hair away. But he knew that wouldn’t be enough.

If he touched her, he would want to hold her. If he held her, he would want to kiss her. And if he kissed her, he wasn’t sure he would let her go.

His arms rested along the back of her chair. She had no idea how difficult he was finding it to sit beside her without reaching for her.

"What do you think?" she asked, drawing him out of his thoughts.

He dragged her gaze back to the tablet. "You are right. We should make that change."

Elowen smiled, pleased that he agreed with her suggestion.

He returned her smile. But beneath it, something darker stirred.

He wished Soren had never entered her life. He wished no husband were waiting for her at home, no family she returned to every evening, no one who had a rightful place beside her but him.

Elowen checked the time. "The presentation is done. Check it before you finalize it." She handed him the tablet. "I think we should head back to the office."

Theron was reluctant. At the office, he couldn’t sit close to her. He couldn’t stare at her. There would be people watching them. He couldn’t sit close to her.

If he could, he would sit here with her another hour. But he had no excuses left to stop her from going back to the office. He inclined his head slowly.

"Let’s go then." He rose from his seat.

Elowen, too, stood up. But the moment she straightened, a sudden wave of dizziness swept over her.

The room seemed to spin.

She blinked several times to steady herself, but her vision blurred. Her knees weakened, and she instinctively reached for the edge of the table. Even so, she couldn’t hold her footing.

"Elowen!" Before she could lose her balance, a strong pair of arms caught her. His heart nearly stopped.

"What happened? Are you alright?"

Theron’s expression changed. He pulled her against his chest, one arm wrapped firmly around her waist while the other supported her shoulders.

Elowen pressed a hand against her forehead. "I just feel a little dizzy."

"A little dizzy?" His voice rose in alarm. "You almost collapsed."

He looked at how her lips turned pale, his grip tightening subconsciously. Then his thoughts went to the little life growing inside her.

’Shit. It must be because of her pregnancy. I shouldn’t have let her work. I should have been more careful.’

He blamed himself.

’What if something happens to the baby? What if something happens to her?’

A wave of panic swept through him.

He remembered her dying with the baby in her womb in his previous life. He couldn’t afford to let anything happen to her this time.

"Come on. I’m taking you to the hospital."

"No, Theron," Elowen denied it. She tried to step back and create a distance between them. "There is no need. I’ve been staring at the screen too long. That’s why there’s this dizziness. I just need some rest. I’ll be fine."

However, Theron had already made up his mind. He wouldn’t listen to her.

"I don’t care what caused it." He held her close, not letting her retreat. He was afraid she would fall if he let go of her.

At that point, he didn’t care about what she would think. He didn’t look at the curious people looking at them. His concern was solely focused on her safety.

"You are going to the hospital."

"I am fine. Really. It happens sometimes when I get tired."

"Elowen, don’t argue with me." His voice had turned unusually stern. "I’ll have a doctor examine you."

That was not a suggestion. It was a command.

He glanced at her face again.

The color hadn’t returned yet.

"Look at you. How pale you are. And you still say you are fine. You are not okay."

He couldn’t stop his fingers from brushing her cheek, and he was startled by how cold her skin felt. His jaw clenched.

"We are going to the hospital. Now."

"Theron..."

Before she could protest, he bent down and lifted her effortlessly in his arms.