The Reckless Collision

Chapter Thirteen

Sam arched an eyebrow, her voice cooler now. "We'll discuss this in private," she said pointedly. "Do you have any other advice?" she asked Paul, turning the focus back to him.

Paul didn't seem fazed by the tension. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small white box. "This is your new phone," he said, handing it to Sam.

She stared at it for a moment before taking it cautiously. "Why do I need a new phone?"

"I have reason to believe your current phone isn't secure," Paul explained, his tone deliberate. "You'll use the new one to contact me and for any discussions about Scott or these circumstances. For everything else, continue using your old phone. That way, Scott won't suspect anything."

Sam frowned, her fingers tightening around the box. "You think he's spying on me?"

"It's highly likely," Paul replied.

Molly placed a protective hand on Sam's shoulder. "Why would he go that far?" she asked.

Paul leaned forward slightly. "His motives appear to be an obsession and a deep, unhealthy fixation on Miss Morris. I don't believe it's about money—your finances are secure. This is personal."

The weight of his words settled heavily over the room. Sam's face paled, and I instinctively reached for her hand again, holding it tightly.

Paul opened his notebook, flipping through the pages. "I'll go over everything I've uncovered about Mr. Shaw so far," he said. His calm, methodical demeanor was reassuring, but the truth he was about to share was bound to change everything.

I watched Samantha grow more anxious as the detective laid out his findings. Her best friend, Molly, sat beside her, fidgeting impatiently. Her bouncing leg shook the couch, but I barely noticed—I was too focused on Sam. Every detail Paul revealed about Scott made her sink further into herself.

"Can you specify the information you have about him?" Molly blurted, unable to contain herself.

Paul glanced at her with a tired expression, his eyes shadowed by exhaustion. "The research we've done reveals this isn't the first time Scott has become obsessed with someone."

The room fell silent. Even Molly froze as the weight of his words settled over us. Paul hesitated, flipping through his notebook, his fingers brushing over the pages like he was searching for the least painful way to break the news.

"There's a woman in Chicago—his ex-girlfriend," Paul began. "Scott stalked her back in high school. Her name is Naomi. According to her, Scott's obsession felt... intoxicating at first. Romantic, even." His voice was steady but low like he knew each word was a knife to Sam's composure.

"Naomi said Scott became fixated on her until she agreed to a date. They slept together shortly after. Within two months, he lost interest and moved to Los Angeles. That's where I believe he met you, Samantha."

Sam stiffened against me, and I felt her body tremble. I tightened my grip, wishing I could shield her from all of this. "Should I continue?" Paul asked gently. Sam nodded without speaking, her voice lost somewhere between shock and fear.

Paul cleared his throat. "Scott recently started a new job. He's working remotely, which gives him plenty of time to focus his attention elsewhere." His gaze locked onto Sam. "That's why you should seriously consider the idea of traveling or moving, as we've discussed."

"Our primary goal," Paul continued, "is to gather enough evidence for a restraining order, but right now, we're short on proof. That makes your safety our priority."

Paul paused, closing his notebook and leaning back in his chair. "I'll be staying in the apartment across the hall for the time being. It'll be more convenient for monitoring the situation and ensuring your safety."