igure strode in, carrying several sleek black boxes. Victor's most trusted

commanding attention. "Mr. Blackwood has sent a selecti

oice laced with disapproval.

ood wishes for Ivy to select her engage

ident. "How romantic, a ring c

nce, but Ivy's voice cut throug

ack; I don't w

fore he regained his composure. "But,

a ring chosen by someone else's whim

even. "Ivy, that someone

e. This marriage isn't happening by my choice;

voice smooth as silk. "Very well, I'll

eave, Ivy's voice s

ack, his eyes

...I'll choose my o

s hanging in the air like a challenge. Liam's

message, Ivy. This

*********

expression formal. "Miss Ivy, Mr. Blackwood has a

surprise. "What? I d

waiting for you outside. He wishe

the couch, suddenly sat up

ant. "I'm afraid Mr. Blackwood

nsense. I'm not going to send my

lian, he is Ivy's fiancé. He has this right. And h

dn't want to go alone with Victor, but she also

r outside. Victor was waiting by the ca

, his voice low and smooth.

curt. "Let's just g

nspoken words. Ivy's hands clenched into fists as she stared out the window, her mind racing with thoughts

d the door, and he stepped out, his movements fluid and

he room was dimly lit; the only sound was the soft hum of a security camera. A sele

arkled in the dim light, each one a symbol of the prison she was trapped in. Vict

voice low and husky, send

nce. She could refuse; she could walk out and leave him standing there.

. It was a simple gold band, understated and elegant. Vic

growled, his voic

hin her. But she knew better than to cross him-not yet. She put the ring back an

oval, his eyes gleaming with e

********

er eyes fixed on some point outside the window. Vi

le Smith?" he asked, his voic

the confined space. She sat in the corner, her arms wrap

e your brothers didn't teach you manners

ice barely above a whisper. "Don't say

low and husky. "Ohhh,

s grip on her forearm was like a vice, his fingers digging deep i

spect me," he hissed, his breath hot against

his face a mask of stone. Ivy's hear

she whispered, tr

o you understand what you don't have

e was her on

g with malice. He grabbed her chin, his fin

ng with menace. "But I am bound by the agreement. So don't force me to break it. Because e

her vision blurring. She nodd

chin tightened. "Do

, her voice bare

eyes gleaming with triumph.

arely a whisper.

val was palpab

ned away, her tears spilling down her cheeks. The car

**********