The Amoura Eva wasn't just expensive. It was priceless.
In the black market, it would only appear at the most exclusive underground auctions. Leo only found out because one of his informants intercepted the catalog and sent word before the auction began.
Leo asked, "Eva, why did you sell the Amoura Eva?"
Eva didn't look at him. Her voice was calm. "Did you go to the auction?"
Leo froze. A flicker of something unreadable passed across his face. After a beat, he spoke, his voice low and careful. "I just... wanted to find you something. Maybe pick out a new piece. So I—"
Eva cut him off. "I didn't sell it. I donated it."
Leo's jaw clenched, and he gripped her hand. "Eva, I know you're compassionate. You always have been. But if you wanted to donate something, you could've chosen anything else. Not that necklace."
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a velvet box, placing it in front of her. When he flipped it open, there it was—the Amoura Eva, shimmering under the soft light.
He said, "I got it back. This necklace is proof of how much I love you. No one can take that away from you. Not even you."
He leaned in and gently fastened it around her neck.
Eva looked down at the necklace. It felt heavier than ever.
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. This man could sneak around with another woman, then come home and deliver a love confession so flawless that she almost bought it.
Leo had always been quick with his hands and even quicker with his mouth—and he never lost at either.
The necklace had never been proof of love. It was a shackle—an exquisite, glittering chain designed to keep her locked in place. His perfect sugar baby.
Later that night, as Eva was about to fall asleep, Leo's phone vibrated on the nightstand.
He silenced it instantly, slipping his arm around her and gently stroking her back with practiced tenderness.
But a few seconds later, his phone vibrated again.
Leo's brows drew together. This time, he answered it, lowering his voice. "Keep it down. Don't wake Eva."
The voice on the other end was tipsy and loud, clearly hyped on whiskey and ego. "Leo! We're all at the Red Rose Club tonight. If you don't show, everyone's gonna think your wife's got you on a leash!"
Leo's voice went cold. "I'm with Eva tonight."
"Come on, Leo! Don't tell me you've forgotten about us. It's been years, and we finally got the whole crew together tonight. You're seriously not coming? You promised we'd never change, Leo. Don or not, you'll always be one of us."
Eva opened her eyes. "Go ahead. It's been a long time since you all saw each other."
Leo hesitated, but she had spoken. He nodded. "Then you're coming with me. If you don't go, neither will I."
Eva didn't argue. She got up and changed.
At the Red Rose Club, the moment they pushed open the door to the private room, a wave of perfume, liquor, and smoke hit them. Inside, half-naked women lounged over leather couches while Leo's men drank and shouted over a poker game.
Leo's jaw tightened, and his voice was icy. "Out."
The room froze. Then, someone finally reacted. "Shit—Eva's here! Out, all of you!"
The women scattered like smoke in the wind. The room instantly quieted.
One of Leo's men gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder and chuckled. "Ten years, and you still haven't changed. No other woman can even get near you."
Leo's voice was flat. "Self-control is the bare minimum for a married man."
Eva stood beside him in silence, watching.
Someone lit a cigarette, and Leo shot him a glance. "Put it out. Eva hates the smell."
Someone else passed him a glass of wine. But Leo waved it off, saying, "I'm not drinking. Eva doesn't like me drinking."
Another tried queuing a track on the karaoke screen. Leo reached over and shut it off. "Too loud. Eva doesn't like noise."
The men exchanged helpless glances. Eventually, they settled into a quiet poker game, each of them careful not to step out of line.
Leo picked up a knife and started slicing an apple with practiced precision. Within seconds, a neatly plated fruit tray appeared in front of Eva.
"Here. Eat something."
Noticing that she only had a thin shawl over her shoulders, he immediately took off his coat and draped it around her.
"Cold?"
"A little."
"A little means yes," he said softly, then called a server to bring hot tea.
Across the table, someone finally couldn't hold it in. "Leo might be bulletproof out on the street, but at home? He's scared of his wife."
"Don Leo can run all of Veritas's underworld, but he can't do a damn thing when it comes to Eva."
Leo didn't bother replying. He just kept his eyes on Eva, his gaze tender and unwavering.
