"You're wearing the ring wrong."
Captian suddenly leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against my face, carrying a faint scent of mint. That temperature and that subtle sense of dominance hidden within it made me feel like I couldn't bear it.
I pressed a hand against his chest, cheeks burning. "How is it wrong?"
My soft voice slipped into his ear, and even I could hear how dangerously alluring it sounded. His dark eyes grew hot again. He took my right hand and gently removed the ring. My heart thumped wildly as I watched every movement.
"It should go here."
He slid the ring onto the ring finger of my left hand. The warmth of his fingertips made my skin feel as if it had been set aflame.
I was startled enough to pull my hand back slightly. My fingers curled reflexively, the pale joints almost translucent and delicate under the light far too tempting.
"Don't move."
His voice was hoarse.
My entire body went rigid. I didn't dare make a single motion.
Captian lowered his head and kissed my left hand from my knuckles, down my fingers, all the way to the soft center of my palm. Every place his lips touched burned, laced with a predatory kind of hunger.
I nearly died of fright. He felt like a wild beast, one ready to devour my entire hand.
I had no idea how long he kissed me before he finally let go. I snatched my hand back as if coming back to life, hiding it behind me, my face flushing red like a ripe apple.
He glanced at me and immediately noticed my flushed cheeks, my watery eyes, and my embarrassed, helpless expression like a bullied little white rabbit. It made him look like he wanted to push me down and torment me with no restraint.
He licked the corner of his lips, his self-control visibly fraying as heat flared through him. His gaze stayed on me, cold and sharp, but beneath it I could sense the disgust and fear I still felt toward him. So he suppressed himself. Slowly. Patiently. Waiting for the moment I would lower my guard… so he could swallow me whole.
Thinking that way, he pressed his lips together faintly, his eyes revealing a dangerous blend of obsession and darkness.
Sensing the threat, I curled up into a small ball, trying to make myself as unnoticeable as possible.
He chuckled lightly and reached out to stroke the beauty mark beneath my eye.
Thirty minutes later, we finally arrived at the mansion. I couldn't stand it anymore and practically crashed through the door. Sitting next to Captian was terrifying, he hadn't actually done anything improper, but every so often that strange smile of his made my whole body tremble. There was no way I could sit still.
So the moment we arrived, I bolted and hurried back to my room.
Captian watched my retreating silhouette, his expression dark but inside, a strange sense of satisfaction rippled.
Back in my room, I sat on the edge of the bed and stared blankly at the diamond ring on my left ring finger. The rarest red diamond in the world, custom-made by Captian for me. I stared at it, and a complicated feeling rose in my chest.
I didn't understand his intentions. I didn't know what he was planning. But this ring was definitely a burning hot potato hotter than even that piece of land.
I removed the ring, thought for a moment, then placed it inside the drawer along with the land transfer documents. I would return them to him someday.
The next morning, when I went downstairs, I saw Captian at the dining table. He was still here, not leaving yet.
Feeling embarrassed, I tugged at my dress and walked toward him quietly. "Director Anderson… you're having breakfast at home today too?"
He answered simply and glanced at me, only to see that my left ring finger was bare.
"Where's the ring?"
His eyes narrowed, cold and shadowed.
Under that icy gaze, I sat across from him and said patiently, "I kept it somewhere safe. It's too expensive. If I wear it outside and someone steals it, what am I supposed to do?"
"Who would dare?"
His gaze swept past me, filled with such violence it chilled even the air.
I shivered and quickly lifted my glass of milk. "They might not dare steal from you… but someone as weak as me? They could knock me over with one finger. Of course I'd be scared. Director Anderson, such a precious ring should only be worn on special occasions, right?"
"Special occasions?"
He raised an eyebrow. "For example?"
I counted on my fingers. "Like parties… or family gatherings and such."
Parties. Family gatherings.
She wants to attend those places with me?
It almost sounded like she knew her position as a wife.
Captian touched his chin, his eyes dark as deep water. After a moment, a faint, indecipherable smile tugged at his lips. "Very well. Then don't wear it for now."
His voice was still cold, but I could clearly hear the hidden trace of satisfaction.
I blinked. I didn't expect him to agree so easily.
He lowered his eyes, continued eating like nothing had changed, and that fleeting happiness seemed almost like an illusion.
After finishing breakfast, he straightened his black coat and turned to leave.
I immediately bowed my head, cheeks burning fiercely. He glanced back slightly, lips lifting faintly before he walked away.
Once he was gone, I finally let out a long breath. I hurried to finish my breakfast, then sprawled lazily on the sofa. Since I didn't have school today, I allowed myself to relax.
The sofa was so soft that I started getting sleepy.
Just as I was about to doze off, footsteps sounded. I snapped awake and looked toward the door only to see Ryder strolling in, his bright red hair catching the light.
Hands in his pockets, he walked with a careless swagger. His lips curved when he saw me. "Sister-in-law, is Director Anderson home?"
I stared at him for a few seconds before looking away. I had thought Captian returned turns out it was Ryder. All that fear for nothing.
"Director Anderson isn't home. He went to the company." I hugged a pillow, my voice gentle and soft.
"Oh? He went to the company?" Ryder stood beside the sofa, his seductive lips curling higher. "By the way, sister-in-law, congratulations. I can't believe you and Director Anderson actually registered your marriage. Truly unbelievable. I thought..."
I pursed my lips, frowning at him. Maybe it was just my imagination, but something about Ryder's smile felt wrong, almost mocking, like he was secretly amused.
"What did you think?" I asked.