Letitia, you are free

Joshua reached out with one hand and held the back of her neck as he lowered his head and kissed Letitia's forehead.

The next moment, Letitia felt the collar loosen.

Joshua removed her collar, the beautiful ruby shimmering with enchantment.

It was the first collar Joshua had ever given her, and as he stroked the centremost ruby he whispered, "When I gave it to you, I didn't think our later story would be like this."

Letitia did not understand what he meant, but the next moment Joshua raised his hand high in the air as he struggled to throw the collar into the sea.

The collar arced high and made a splash as it sank into the sea.

Joshua withdrew his hand and cupped the already frozen face of Letitia, his tone serious with a smile that was not easily detected, "You are free."

"Letitia, the collar will no longer bind you, you are no longer anyone's plaything. Not mine, or anyone else's, you are your own."

"Letitia, you are free."