Kofi didn’t flinch. “Appearances are persuasive. That doesn’t make them accurate.”
Tenna turned sharply. “Then tell me who you are.”
Kofi met her gaze. “Someone who doesn’t like bullies.”
“That won’t help me,” she said. “They own everything. They decide what’s true.”
Kofi was silent, then said, “There is one way to protect you.”
“From what?”
“From false accusations. From being alone in their story.”
Tenna frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Kofi inhaled slowly, choosing words carefully.
“Marriage.”
The word hung between them—absurd and heavy.
Tenna stared. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
She stood. “This is not the time.”
“It’s exactly the time,” Kofi replied calmly. “They threaten you because you’re isolated. A married woman is harder to target.”
Tenna shook her head. “You think a ring fixes power?”
“No,” Kofi said. “I think it changes the rules long enough for you to breathe.”
Tenna’s laugh cracked into something close to a sob. “I don’t know your real life. Where you sleep. What you’re running from.”
Kofi faced her fully. “I won’t promise comfort. I won’t promise money. But I promise you this: if you agree, I will never use you. I will never own you. And I will never let anyone hurt you while I stand beside you.”
Tenna searched his face for manipulation. She found none—only resolve.
Leave a Comment