The Twisted Obsession-Chapter 249: Why do you care?

Alex strode into Cage’s office without knocking, the door swinging open to reveal a sleek, minimalist space. Cage, seated behind a large glass desk, looked up from his paperwork, surprise flashing across his face before it was replaced by a mask of wary indifference.

"Alex," Cage said, leaning back in his chair. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

Alex shrugged nonchalantly, crossing the room to take a seat opposite his stepbrother. "Can’t a man visit his brother without an agenda?"

Cage scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. "Last I checked, you tried killing me, and you placed a bounty on my head. So, forgive me if I’m skeptical about your intentions."

Alex smirked, leaning back in the chair. "That was a long time ago. Water under the bridge, right?"

Cage’s eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Alex?"

Alex’s expression grew serious. "I want Abby back."

Cage’s surprise turned into anger. "You’re talking about her like she’s a toy you discarded and now want to reclaim. She’s not yours to take back."

Alex’s smirk returned, more taunting this time. "Oh, come on, Cage. We both know she’s not really in love with that man. She’s just using him as a shield."

Cage slammed his fist on the desk, the sound echoing through the room. "She’s in love with her husband, Alex. And even if she wasn’t, she deserves better than you."

Alex leaned forward, his tone dripping with mock sincerity. "I think you’re just jealous, Cage. You always were, weren’t you? Maybe you’re upset because she chose me over you in the first place."

Cage’s face turned red with anger. "You think this is some sort of game? Abby is happy with her life. She doesn’t need you barging in and messing everything up."

Alex chuckled, enjoying the rise he was getting out of Cage. "You always were so self-righteous. I’m not asking for your permission, Cage. I’m telling you to help me."

Cage stood up, glaring down at his stepbrother. "I won’t be a part of this. You need to leave Abby alone."

Alex stood as well, his demeanor suddenly cold and menacing. "I don’t think you understand, Cage. I’m not giving you a choice. You’re going to help me, whether you like it or not. Because if you don’t, I can make things very difficult for you."

Cage’s eyes blazed with fury. "Get out of my office, Alex. And don’t come back. If you go after Abby, you’ll have to go through me."

Alex’s smirk faded into a hard, calculating look. "Fine, Cage. Have it your way. But remember, you can’t protect her forever. And when the time comes, don’t say I didn’t warn you."

With that, Alex turned and left the office, leaving Cage seething with anger and frustration.

As Alex reached for the door handle, Cage’s voice cut through the tension-filled air, stopping him in his tracks.

"Wait," Cage said, his tone now calm but edged with a different kind of intensity. "What about Lily? Your fiancée?"

Alex turned slowly, his expression shifting to one of mild curiosity. "What about her?"

Cage leaned against his desk, his eyes narrowing. "You’re so focused on getting Abby back, but what does Lily mean to you? Does she even factor into your plans?"

Alex’s lips curled into a sardonic smile. "Lily is... convenient. She’s part of a different plan, one that aligns with our fathers’ interests."

Cage shook his head in disgust. "So, you’re just using her too? Have you ever cared about anyone other than yourself, Alex?"

Alex’s eyes flashed with irritation. "You don’t get it, Cage. This isn’t about emotions. It’s about strategy. Lily’s father, James, is a powerful ally. Marrying her strengthens our position."

Cage straightened, his expression hardening. "You’re a real piece of work, you know that? You can’t just play with people’s lives for your own gain. Lily is a person, not a pawn in your game."

Alex raised his brows at Cage’s protectiveness, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Why do you care so much? I thought you hated Lily."

Cage paused, taken aback by the question. He opened his mouth to respond but found himself momentarily at a loss for words. Why did he care about Lily? He hadn’t given it much thought before, but something about the way Alex was treating her stirred a deep, protective instinct within him.

"I don’t hate Lily," Cage said slowly, choosing his words with care. "I just... I don’t like seeing people being used and manipulated, especially by you."

Alex’s smile widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "So, you’re her knight in shining armor now? How touching."

Cage clenched his jaw, refusing to rise to the bait. "You’re missing the point, Alex. This isn’t about me or my feelings towards Lily. This is about you using people to get what you want without any regard for the consequences."

Alex shrugged, clearly unbothered by Cage’s moral stance. "Consequences are a part of the game, brother. You should know that by now."

Cage took a step closer, his voice low and intense. "You think you’re playing a game, but real people are getting hurt. Lily deserves better, Abby deserves better, and you know it."

Alex’s expression hardened, his amusement evaporating. "What I know is that I have goals, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to achieve them. If that means using people along the way, so be it."

Cage shook his head, his frustration mounting. "You’re going to lose everything, Alex. One day, you’ll look around and realize you have no one left to turn to."

Alex’s eyes narrowed. "I guess we’ll see about that. In the meantime, stay out of my business. You’ve been warned."

With that, Alex turned and left the office, leaving Cage standing alone, grappling with a mix of anger and confusion. Why did he care so much about Lily?

Cage picked up his phone and dialed Abby’s number. He paced his office while it rang, his mind racing with the implications of Alex’s visit.

"Hello?" Abby’s voice came through, calm but cautious.

"Abby, it’s Cage. We need to talk."

Abby sighed, sensing the tension in his voice. "What is it, Cage? I’m a bit busy right now."

"It’s about Alex," Cage said, pausing to gather his thoughts. "He showed up at my office just now."

Abby rolled her eyes, her irritation evident even over the phone. "What does he want this time? I still don’t understand his obsession with me, especially after he left me for my cousin."

"He says he wants you back," Cage replied, his tone filled with frustration. "And he wants my help to make it happen."

Abby snorted. "Of course he does. Alex always thinks he can have whatever he wants, whenever he wants it. Why can’t he just leave me alone?" freёnovelkiss-com

"I told him to back off, but you know how he is," Cage said, his voice softening. "He’s not going to give up easily."

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