Chained to his love

Chapter3-TheDevil'sRing

The Sterling mansion was never silent. From the clatter of servants to the echo of marble heels against polished floors, life within its walls was a constant performance. But tonight, the air was heavy, thick with whispers and judgmental eyes. Mr. Sterling kept party at Sterling mansion to cover his daughter scandal, in any other way to increase his status by relating his name with ruthless business tycoon Damian Blackwood. At first when he knows Elena scandal news he was very furious with her but after knowing that it was Damian Blackwood he was even scared because Damian was most known for his ruthless in business and when any woman throw themselves on scandal with him, he make her whole family’s members to disappear over night and no one knows if they were alive or death.

But when Mr. Sterling received Damian proposal that he want to married Elena he was over joy that without any delay he ordered all Servants to start preparing for the party to announce relationship of Elena with Damian.

Elena stood at the center of the ballroom, a fragile figure draped in ivory silk. Her hands trembled as she clutched her glass, her mind a storm. She hadn’t agreed to this. She hadn’t agreed to any of it. Once she tries to explain her father that it was not the way it’s shows or write in social media and he doesn’t want to married Damian Blackwood but Mr. Sterling was not listening to any words of her. Mr. Sterling said, “ Elena you should be thankful that Damian Blackwood want to married you even being scandal with you and it’s good for our family business by being related to Damian no one in business world can look down on your brother and me.” So she had no choice but to agreed .

And yet, here she was—paraded before society as Damian Blackwood’s bride-to-be.

The chandeliers glittered above, but all she felt was the weight of stares. The elite of the city had gathered, their voices buzzing like locusts.

“Such a shocking pair,” one woman whispered behind her fan.

“Damian Blackwood? He’s ruthless. Why her?” as Elena was known for her kind nature, she never misbehave with anyone.

“Perhaps she’s desperate after that… incident.” Another woman whispered.

The words cut deeper than knives, though Elena forced her face into a calm mask.

Then, the crowd hushed.

Damian entered.

His presence alone commanded silence. Dressed in a tailored black suit, his expression unreadable, he walked toward Elena with a confidence that made everyone else appear small. His gaze swept the room once, silencing the whispers, before resting squarely on her.

Elena’s breath caught. He looked every bit the devil she feared—dangerously handsome, utterly untouchable. For once she was mesmerized by his look but she shake her head,… “ no I can’t be tempted by his look, he is the most ruthless man who doesn’t care any other people's feeling, he is the heartless animal in the human face.” Elena claim heart which was trying to ring the bell of attraction by looking at Damian hansom face.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Damian’s voice rang out, smooth and authoritative, “thank you for joining us tonight. I have an announcement.”

A murmur rippled through the room. Elena’s heart pounded. No, she thought. He wouldn’t—he couldn’t—

He turned to her, taking her trembling hand in his. The warmth of his touch only fueled her panic.

“Elena Sterling,” he said, his tone steady and deliberate, “will become my wife.”

Gasps filled the ballroom. Crystals clinked as glasses were dropped. All eyes turned to her, expectant, hungry for her reaction.

Elena froze, her lips parting, but no words came out.

Damian squeezed her hand—subtle, but sharp enough to remind her that refusal wasn’t an option.

With trembling lips, she forced a smile. “Y-yes,” she whispered, though her voice was barely audible.

The crowd erupted. Applause, laughter, congratulations—some genuine, most envious. Damian slipped a velvet box from his pocket and revealed a diamond ring, cold and blinding under the chandelier light.

He slid it onto her finger with such finality that her chest constricted. The ring was heavy, not just with carats, but with chains she couldn’t see yet couldn’t deny.

Her gaze flicked up to him, desperate for some trace of humanity in his eyes. But Damian only smirked, the corner of his lips curving like a man who had won a war.

Later, when the crowd dispersed to champagne and chatter, Elena pulled her hand away, her voice breaking. “How could you do this to me?”

Damian leaned closer, his whisper sharp against her ear. “You looked beautiful tonight, Elena. Fragile. Helpless. Exactly the way they expect you to be.”

“I am not your possession!” she snapped, her nails digging into her palm.

His eyes darkened, and for the briefest moment, she thought she saw something flicker—anger, maybe jealousy—but it was gone before she could name it.

“You think this is about possession?” His voice dropped, dangerously soft. “This is about protection. Without me, you’d be torn apart by this society and woman who has scandal with me I make her whole family to disappear but you has to be mine and with me…” His lips brushed her ear. “No one will dare touch you.”

Her stomach twisted. Protection? No. This was a cage, gilded and suffocating.

“Then hate me, Damian,” she whispered fiercely, tears stinging her eyes. “Because I swear I’ll never be the obedient wife you want.” “ I’ll make your life hell and you will asked me for divorce at all cost .” Elena promise herself.

He chuckled darkly, tilting her chin so their eyes locked. “Hate you? Sweetheart, you underestimate me. The more you resist… the more I’ll make you mine.”

And with that, he kissed her hand before the watching eyes of society—an act of dominance dressed as devotion.

To them, it was romance. Some people whispered ruthless Damian is different to his lady love.

To her, it was chains tightening around her soul.