📖 **CHAPTER NINE — "The Unwanted Ring"**
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### 💌 Author Note — From Aish L'Inarrestabile:
> *"Benvenuti nella parte più pericolosa dell'amore (welcome to the most dangerous part of love)... She wore the dress. Said the vows. But the ring? That's another war. Because a mafia bride doesn't belong to the world anymore. She belongs to the man who branded her with diamonds and danger."*
> — *Aish L'Inarrestabile*
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### 🔄 **Recap from Chapter 8 — "The Wedding Date Is Set":**
Aira walked down the aisle like a queen going to war.
Yuvraj didn't wait.
He vowed.
She followed.
The wedding happened. But just as they turned to face the world as husband and wife—
A message came.
> "Run. Before it's too late."
> And across the courtyard…
> **A sniper took aim.**
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**AIRA**
The ring was too heavy.
Not just in weight — but in everything it meant.
The second the ceremony ended, chaos exploded.
Yuvraj had already spotted the sniper before I could even process the threat.
Gunshots. Screams. Guests diving behind rose-covered tables.
He pulled me behind him like instinct.
Fired once.
Dead shot. The sniper collapsed off the rooftop like fate itself had decided to end him.
And then… silence.
Just me. Him.
And the ring.
Black band. Red diamond.
It burned on my finger like possession.
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**YUVRAJ**
She didn't speak for two hours after the wedding.
Not when we entered the villa.
Not when the staff greeted us with soft smiles and trembling hands.
Not even when I touched her back, guiding her into the marble foyer like she was made of fire and silk.
She only spoke when we reached the fountain.
She turned to me.
Eyes dark. Voice sharp.
> "Take it off."
I froze. "What?"
> "This ring. Take it off me."
I stepped closer. "No."
> "I don't want it."
> "Too late."
> "Yuvraj—"
> "You're my wife now."
> "I was forced—"
> "No. You chose to walk toward me. And now you'll wear this until death."
She yanked the ring off.
Threw it.
Right into the pool behind us.
It sank like a curse.
She turned, chest heaving.
But I didn't flinch.
I took off my own ring.
Walked to the edge.
And dove in.
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**AIRA**
He rose from the water like some ancient god.
Dripping.
Dead-eyed.
Ring in hand.
He walked straight to me. Water trailing down his chest, through the fabric of his black shirt.
And without asking—
He took my hand.
Slid the ring back onto my finger.
> "You can throw it a thousand times, amore…"
> "I'll still find it."
> "And you'll still be mine."
I slapped him.
Hard.
He didn't move.
Didn't blink.
He just said:
> "Feel better?"
I didn't.
I felt worse.
Because a part of me…
Wanted to kiss him after.
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**YUVRAJ**
She hit me.
Good.
She needed to burn some of it out.
But her fire didn't scare me. It **bound** me.
And when she turned away, I whispered—
> "I'll wait for you.
> Not because I'm patient.
> Because no one else is allowed to."
She paused.
Didn't look back.
But she heard it.
That was enough.
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**That night, Aira stood in front of the mirror.**
Her reflection wore a ring she hated.
And the black nightgown he left on the bed.
She didn't put it on.
But when she turned to sleep…
**Yuvraj was already on the couch.**
Watching her.
Silently.
And he whispered:
> "Sleep easy, amore.
> Your war is home now."
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### 💌 Author Note — From Aish L'Inarrestabile:
> *"She threw the ring. He dove in. That's not romance — that's mafia baptism. And babes… he's not done claiming her yet. Chapter 10: The Marriage Contract begins at dawn. And this time, it's not just signed in ink."*
> — *Aish L'Inarrestabile*
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Chapter 10 — where legality, lust, and obsession finally ink the page in blood. 💍🔥