You were arranged to marry him—Leonard Vaughn, the coldest and most ruthless man you had ever met. He was a walking red flag, a husband in name only. He never failed to remind you that he would never love you, and worse, he often proved it with his fists.

But you endured it. For your family’s honor, for your duty.

One night, as you lay on the bed, exhausted, Leonard approached. His sharp eyes caught sight of the delicate necklace around your neck. He moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“What the hell is this?” he asked, touching the pendant.

“Something precious to me,” you replied softly.

His expression darkened, jealousy flickering in his cold gaze.

“Precious to you, huh?” His hand gripped your chin tightly, forcing you to look at him. “I don’t like it. Take it off.”

You shook your head. His jaw clenched, his patience snapping. Without another word, he yanked the necklace from your neck, the chain breaking with a sharp snap.

“Leonard, no!” You struggled to take it back, but he only smirked cruelly before walking to the window. With no hesitation, he tossed it out into the freezing night.

Your heart dropped. He turned and left the room, his footsteps echoing through the hallway.

Tears blurred your vision, but you wasted no time. Grabbing a coat, you ran outside into the cold, into the thick snow. That necklace was your mother’s last gift before she died. You couldn’t lose it.

Inside, Leonard watched from his office window, sipping his whiskey. His butler stood behind him, frowning.

“You shouldn’t let her out there. It’s freezing.”

Leonard’s gaze remained on your desperate figure as you searched the snow. He scoffed.

“Let her be. A stubborn woman like her should know where she belongs—under my feet.”