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Chapter 17: A Ring To Bind You
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2026-01-24 02:19:01After lunch, Jackson didn't drive Serenity back to her office. Instead, the Maybach pulled up in front of the most luxurious building on Fifth Avenue: The House of Winston.
"Jackson, I have a meeting at 2 PM!" Serenity protested as the car stopped.
"Cancel it," Jackson said, stepping out. "This is more important."
Serenity noticed something strange. Usually, this jewelry store was bustling with tourists and rich shoppers. Today, it was completely empty. The security guards were standing at the door, blocking everyone else.
As soon as they walked in, the Store Manager and ten staff members lined up in two rows, bowing respectfully.
"Welcome, Mr. Sterling. Mrs. Sterling."
Serenity was stunned. "Did you... close down the store?"
"I don't like crowds," Jackson said indifferently. He led her to the VIP sofa and sat her down. "Bring them out."
The manager hurried into the vault and returned with a black velvet tray covered in silk cloth.
He unveiled it.
Gasp.
Even Serenity, who was a jewelry designer herself, held her breath.
On the tray sat three diamond rings. But the one in the center was blinding. It was a massive, pink pear-shaped diamond, easily over 10 carats, surrounded by flawless white diamonds.
It wasn't just a ring. It was a continent on a finger.
"This is the 'Pink Star'," the manager explained, his hands trembling with excitement. "Mr. Sterling reserved this specifically for you."
"Try it on," Jackson commanded.
Serenity looked at the ring, then at Jackson. She didn't move.
"Jackson, this is ridiculous. It's too big. I can't design drawings with a rock like this on my finger."
"Then don't draw. Hire people to draw for you," Jackson took the ring himself. He grabbed her left hand.
"Jackson, stop," Serenity tried to pull her hand back. Her eyes suddenly felt hot. "Do you think you can fix everything with diamonds? Five years ago... for our wedding... you didn't even show up to buy the rings. You sent your assistant to give me a plain gold band."
The memory hurt. That cheap band was the symbol of her shame, proof that her husband didn't care.
Jackson paused. His eyes softened, showing a flash of deep regret.
"I know," he said hoarsely. "I was an idiot back then. I treated our marriage as a contract."
He looked into her eyes, his thumb gently stroking her bare ring finger.
"That's why I'm here. I can't erase the past, Serenity. I can't undo the neglect. But I can give you the future."
"I don't want a future bought with money," Serenity whispered.
"It's not just money," Jackson said firmly. "It's a warning."
"A warning?"
"To Ryan. To every man who dares to look at you," Jackson slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly.
"When they see this ring, they will know you are mine. They will know that the man standing behind you is Jackson Sterling, and if they try to touch you, they will have to go through me."
The ring felt heavy on her finger. Cold, yet burning hot.
Serenity looked at the dazzling pink diamond. It was beautiful. Breathtakingly beautiful.
"It's... heavy," she muttered, not pulling it off this time.
"Good," Jackson kissed her hand, right over the ring. "The weight will remind you not to run away again."
He stood up and pulled her into his arms. He didn't care about the manager or the staff watching. He just wanted to hold her.
"From now on, Serenity, you are off the market."
Serenity sighed, resting her head against his chest for a brief second. She knew he was being possessive, unreasonable, and domineering.
But as she touched the cold diamond, she couldn't help but feel a tiny spark of vanity.
Ryan sent her flowers that would wither in three days.
Jackson gave her a diamond that would last forever.
Maybe... just maybe... his way of loving, though twisted, was real.
"Let's go," Jackson checked his watch. "Now that you are properly marked, we can go pick up the kids. I have another surprise for them."
Serenity rolled her eyes, but a small smile escaped her lips. "Jackson, if you buy Alex a hacker island, I'm divorcing you again."
Jackson laughed. "Don't give me ideas."
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