Aria's lips trembled. Her throat was dry, and every inch of her body felt numb. She could barely force the words out, but she had to say something—anything—before they thought she was useless.
Her hands clenched into fists on her lap as her heart pounded like a war drum.
"I… I… b-ba… because… y-yeah…" Her voice was weak, barely above a whisper.
All eyes turned to her.
Her breathing hitched as she forced the words out.
"I… I'm your… s…w-wife. So… it's okay."
The room fell into silence.
A slow smirk curled on Enzo's lips as he watched her struggle, but he said nothing.
She swallowed hard.
"My mom… she… she told me to obey what my husband says," she whispered, her voice barely steady. "S-So… I am… done."
The words tasted bitter on her tongue, but what choice did she have?
This was her fate now.
A Dangerous Amusement
Elyon let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head.
"You hear that, Enzo?" he teased. "She's already accepting you as her husband. Obedient little thing."
Enzo didn't respond immediately. His dark eyes remained locked onto Aria's face, studying every twitch, every flicker of hesitation in her expression.
Then, in a slow, deliberate motion, he leaned forward.
His fingers lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"Good girl," he murmured.
Aria stiffened.
His tone was unreadable, but there was something beneath it. Something that made her stomach twist.
His fingers lingered for a second too long before he finally let her go.
"Since you understand," Enzo said, turning away, "then that's settled."
He exchanged a glance with Elyon, who smirked knowingly.
"She'll stay with me," Enzo said again, more firmly this time. "I'll take care of her."
Aria's heart pounded.
Take care of her?
Or… control her?
A Deal with the Devil
The woman on the couch—whom Aria still didn't know—let out a soft laugh.
"Well, then, Enzo," she said smoothly, "congratulations on your new wife."
Her tone was mocking, but no one reacted.
Enzo turned to Aria once more.
"Let's go."
Aria hesitated.
But she had no choice, did she?
Slowly, she stood, her legs feeling weak beneath her.
She followed Enzo out of the office, her mind spinning.
Her life was no longer her own.
She had just signed herself over to the devil.