Episode 3

"Just kill me. But make sure you have another doctor who can detect poison in your coffee tomorrow morning."

Ziva uttered those words with the last of her breath. Her face began to turn red, but her eyes didn't blink even slightly as she stared into Elzian's black eyes. There was no plea for mercy, only a crazy challenge.

Elzian's grip on Ziva's neck didn't loosen, it only tightened. "What do you mean?"

"Your breath..." Ziva coughed slightly, gently hitting the muscular arm that was choking her. "A faint almond scent. Micro doses of cyanide? Or modified arsenic? You're pretending to be paralyzed not just to deceive your enemies, but because your body is actually recovering from nerve poison, right?"

Elzian's forehead furrowed deeply. The murderous glint in his eyes slowly turned into high alert. He released his grip suddenly.

Ziva slumped slightly, coughing as she held her neck, which now had red marks. She inhaled oxygen greedily, but a second later, she was looking up again, smiling wryly as if she had just won the lottery.

"My guess is correct, isn't it?" Ziva attacked directly, her voice hoarse but sharp. "Your personal doctor is stupid if he doesn't realize that the poison is still in your system. Or maybe... is it your doctor who poisoned you?"

Elzian took a step back. He looked at the woman in front of him with a new perspective. Ziva Magdonia wasn't just beautiful and brave, she was dangerous. And Elzian liked danger.

"Who sent you?" Elzian asked coldly. He sat back in his wheelchair with a fluid motion, hiding his physical strength behind the facade of paralysis.

"No one. I came on my own behalf for my house," Ziva replied, smoothing her crumpled wedding dress. She walked towards the dressing table, took a wet wipe, and casually cleaned her neck, as if the choke marks were just lipstick stains. "Listen, Mr. CEO. We're both trapped. Your family—whoever they are—wants you to die slowly so it looks like a natural death. And my uncle wants my wealth."

Ziva turned, leaning her hip on the dressing table with her arms crossed. "I'm offering a business deal."

Elzian raised an eyebrow. "You dare to negotiate with me after almost dying?"

"Why not? Your life is on the line, Elzian. You need me," Ziva pointed to Elzian's broad chest. "I'm the best neurosurgeon in this country. I know anatomy, pharmacology, and toxicology better than anyone you're paying now. I can be your filter. Make sure not a single drop of poison gets into your mouth. I'll make sure you live until you can get revenge on them."

Elzian was silent, weighing the offer. The offer was logical. Very logical. All this time he had difficulty finding a medical confidant because his enemies always managed to infiltrate. But Ziva... Ziva had a clear motive: money and assets. Greedy people are usually more honest than people who pretend to be loyal.

"And what's the reward?" Elzian asked flatly.

"Be my shield," Ziva replied quickly. "Use your terrible power to keep my uncle and any loan sharks away from my life. Protect my assets. And when this is all over, we'll get divorced amicably."

"You're too confident, Doctor," Elzian scoffed. "But I accept. Be the watchdog of my food."

"Medical partner," Ziva corrected curtly. "I'm not a dog."

"Whatever. But remember one thing, Ziva. Once you betray me, or are caught working with my half-brother... your neck will really break. Without warning."

"Relax. I'm not interested in allying with murderers," Ziva replied casually. She yawned widely, not caring about etiquette in front of her husband. Today was exhausting. Her emotions were drained from dealing with a crazy uncle and a psychopath husband.

Ziva walked towards the king size bed that looked very soft in the middle of the room. The sheets were clean white silk, the pillows looked like clouds. She was already imagining how good it would feel to throw her back down there after standing in heels all day.

"Move," Ziva said, about to sit on the edge of the bed.

"What do you want?" Elzian's voice stopped her movement.

"Sleep. You think I want to stay up all night watching candles?"

"Who said you could sleep there?"

Ziva turned, confused. "This is our room, isn't it? That's a bed. Humans sleep in beds."

Elzian pointed to the long leather sofa in the corner of the room with his chin. His gaze returned to being cold and undeniable. "That's your place."

Ziva's eyes widened. She looked at the sofa, then back at the large bed that could fit five people. "Are you kidding? This bed is two square meters! We can sleep without touching each other at all. I don't snore and I don't sleep wildly!"

"I don't sleep with strangers. Especially those who know my secrets," Elzian replied firmly. He moved his wheelchair closer to the side of the bed, then easily moved his body onto the mattress, pulling the blanket up to his chest arrogantly. "Sleep on the sofa, or sleep on the floor outside the room. Your choice."

Ziva clenched her fists. She felt like throwing a flower vase at this arrogant man's head. She had just saved the man's life with her diagnosis, and this was the reward?

"Stingy," Ziva hissed annoyedly.

Stomping her feet, she grabbed a pillow from the sofa, threw it back roughly, then lay down there. The sofa was hard, cold, and short. Ziva's slender legs hung uncomfortably at the end.

"Turn off the lights," Elzian ordered without turning around.

"Turn it off yourself! You said your legs are strong!" Ziva snapped, turning her back to him.

There was silence for a moment. Then the sound of the switch clicking was heard and the room became pitch black. Ziva snorted in the darkness. An incredibly bad first night. But at least she was still alive.

However, in the midst of that silence, Elzian's voice was heard again, low and threatening in the darkness.

"Don't think about crawling onto my bed while I'm sleeping, Ziva. I sleep with a gun under my pillow."

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