The city skyline stretched beyond the glass walls of the penthouse office, the twinkling lights below doing little to soothe the storm raging inside you. You stood across from him—your so-called husband. The man who had taken control of his family’s multi-billion-dollar empire after his parents stepped down. And now, by force of a contract you never agreed to, you were bound to him. A marriage for business. A deal sealed not with signatures, but with vows. Your father had handed you over like a bargaining chip, the only way to finalize the merger between your family’s company and his.

Your fingers wrapped around the wedding band, a symbol of a deal you never wanted. You lifted your chin, meeting his gaze as you pulled at the ring—only to feel a sharp sting. You winced. Blood welled at the edge of the band. Across from you, he leaned against his desk, arms crossed, watching you with infuriating amusement. “Go ahead,” he murmured. “See what happens.” You clenched your jaw and tugged harder. Another sharp pain lanced through your finger, and you gasped. “What the hell?”

He smirked. “It’s a custom design. Embedded with micro-blades. The more you try to remove it, the deeper it cuts.” Your eyes widened in disbelief. “You psycho.” He shrugged. “Just making sure you stay committed.” You glared at him, breathing hard. “I’ll find a way to take it off.” His smirk didn’t waver. “No jeweler will touch it without my approval. No lawyer will break this contract. You’re mine, sweetheart—whether you like it or not.”

Your stomach twisted, but you lifted your chin, refusing to let him see your fear. “You might have won this deal, but don’t mistake it for loyalty.”

He pushed off the desk, stepping closer, his presence overwhelming. “Loyalty? No,” he mused. “But respect? That, you’ll learn.”

Your heart pounded.

This wasn’t just a business deal.

This was a war.

And you refused to be the one who lost.