Zara stood frozen as Leonardo slipped a black velvet box onto the table.
"Wear this," he said simply.
She stared.
Inside lay a ring — obsidian stone set in a twisted band of silver.
Beautiful. Cold. Like him.
"I'm not—"
Leonardo's eyes pinned her in place.
"You are. From this moment."
> System Scan…
Item Detected: Blood Oath Ring.
Effect: Binding. Tracking. Protection.
Zara's stomach lurched.
A ring that could… track her? Bind her?
She swallowed hard.
"And if I refuse?"
Leonardo stepped closer, his voice low, dangerous.
"Then you'll wear chains instead."
Her heart thudded painfully.
This man didn't make threats. He delivered them.
> System Suggestion: Strategic Compliance Recommended.
She snatched the ring from the box.
Fine. If this was a game, she'd play it.
But only until she figured out how to break it.
Zara slid the ring onto her finger.
A sharp sting shot through her hand — like a needle under her skin.
> Binding Complete.
Welcome, Mrs. DeLuca.
Leonardo smiled — a rare, fleeting thing.
"Good girl."
Zara lifted her chin.
"Enjoy it while it lasts… husband."
For a heartbeat, something flashed in his eyes — surprise? Amusement?
Then it was gone.
He turned, walking away like a man who'd just won a war.
But Zara knew better.
This wasn't over.
It was just the beginning.