[Music: Obsidian Chains By Saint Vice]

Sure. What better way to look at your expensive investment with ownership? A bleeding reminder of how I shall spend the rest of my miserable married days.

Yet I was affected by them because of how trapped they made me feel.

When Edmund came back, I dipped my gaze to my clenched fist. In spite of having my nails sink into my flesh, it didn’t erase the feel of his frostbiting attention.

The weight of it forced me to glance upward once more, and like an invisible chain, our eyes connected with a far heavier intensity.

I could feel a heat igniting, scorching through my blood. Anger?

I can’t tell what made my insides feel like they were combusting. It got worse when Zade decided to explore every inch of me.

Starting from my nose and cheeks where my freckles spread, then my parted lips. He stayed there for quite some time, and out of sudden anxious habit, I caught my lower lip between my teeth.

He paid attention to every detail, not once batting an eye, even as I released the flesh from captivity, running my tongue over it.

Like a possessed man, Zade slowly tilted his head, the mere action sending dread into me as well as something layered beneath that got me gripping my skirt with all my might.

As my throat bobbled up and down, Zade tracked the motion, dropping to my chest, where the sweetheart neckline felt too tight for my boobs.

I flinched when I heard a vibration, and that was enough to snap me out of it.

Edmund was suddenly added into existence, and Zade ceased trying to suck the air from my lungs.

Seriously, what was that about?

All he did was look at me. That effect was abnormal.

I heard the vibration again, and my attention was drawn to my handbag. Sighing, I took out my phone, my heart skipping a few beats.

Jacob: Ana.

Jacob: Are you there?

J-Jacob! I tried so hard not to smile. I quickly examined Zade, who had his eyes on the fabrics Edmund sampled for him.

I need to stay composed.

With an unchanged expression, I typed, while my heart fluttered a dozen roses.

Me: I’ve been trying to reach you!

Jacob: I was being careful.

Me: Careful? Are you okay? Are you hurt?

Jacob: I can’t take it anymore, Ana. I need to see you.

I clutched my phone tightly.

Jacob: What your father did was heartless, marrying you off to that murderer. I told myself I won’t watch you marry him, but I couldn’t do it.

That’s why he was at the cathedral. He was never kidnapped but came on his own accord. Oh Jacob.

Jacob: I need to see you. Tell me you do too, please, Ana.

I do, I really do. But I’m in a position where I can’t make hasty decisions.

Jacob: I’m at the old quarter right now.

My breath hitched.

Jacob: Let’s meet somewhere, anywhere, as long as I get to see your face. Just say yes.

Me: Yes.

My fingers were shaky as I typed that reply, but I don’t regret it. I’d do anything to see him again.

Jacob: Let’s meet at the shopping arcade.

I quickly dropped my phone, looking back at Zade.

His eyes flickered to mine as he brought the cigar to his lips, taking a last drag before pressing the bottom into the ashtray on the table next to him.

Edmund said something to him before leaving us alone.

"Are you bored, kitten?" he asked.

"Yes..." I replied. "I’m overdue for a pedi."

"..."

"Or am I not allowed to go wherever I want or treat myself?"

"I’m not a monster..." he murmured, devilishly amused.

"Yes, you are..."

Zade moved, and my pulse quickened. He didn’t stop until he stood in front of me, so close that I could feel my knees brushing against the fabric of his pants.

He leaned down to me, resting his hands on the sofa, and with words as smooth as poison, he said. "I’m something far worse, kitten."

"I never doubted that..." I replied. "Am I going for my pedi or not? These nails won’t get done themselves."

I stuck out my palm. He eyed it amusedly before straightening his spine.

"Anything for my wife..." He snapped a finger for one of his men I hadn’t realized was lurking at a corner.

When handed his suit jacket, he took out a slim wallet and then a black card. Holding it between his fingers, he descended it to me.

I tried to take it and he shot his hand upward.

"Take it with your teeth."

"Excuse me?"

"Either that or you’re gonna sit right here like a pretty doll until I finish. Pick your poison."

Pick my poison? This fucking snake. He wasn’t joking, was he?

I darted my eyes to the guard at the corner, his back to us. Edmund had yet to return too.

I have to do this. This was the guise I needed to see Jacob.

I swallowed my pride and stretched my mouth forward. He held the card so close to his belt, and the more I moved, the more I realized how absurd this was.

Making sure I glared holes at him, I took the card with my teeth.

Something dark and restrained flickered in his eyes. With a subtle smirk playing on his lips as if he had just won a prize, he walked back to the full-length mirror.

Feeling uneasy, I took the card off my teeth, grabbed my handbag, and hurriedly left the store.

When I got to the car, the door was opened for me by the chauffeur as if already waiting. I already knew it wasn’t an option for me to be by myself, so I got in without complaining.

"Where to, Mrs. Salvero...?"

I looked at the driver’s seat. "The shopping arcade."

He started the car and drove out. I quickly used that opportunity to text Jacob that I was on my way.

A few minutes later, the car pulled up at the valet entrance beneath a tall stone archway framed with carved detailing. Through the tinted window, I could make out the warm lights inside and steady movements of people.

The door opened, and I stepped out onto the pavement. Matthew, as he mentioned earlier, when I asked his name, walked around to the driver’s side and climbed back in.

Wait... he’s not gonna follow me?

A smile crossed my lips, but I got distracted by a sharp clack, and I turned to a yellow Ferrari.

"Why do we have to do this?"

"Don’s orders. Good thing we were in the area."

"I don’t have time for this."

"Quit complaining."

I took a step back as Luca and Dante got close.

No... no way.

Dante tossed the key fob to the valet before pinning me with a scowl like I was a disease.

"Hi, Ana," Luca waved with a sly grin.

You’ve got to be shitting me!