The morning was tense, the heavy air of the mansion seeming thicker than usual. Damian sat in his study, nursing a glass of whiskey despite the early hour. He didn’t care about appearances anymore. His thoughts were consumed by Aurora and the fight with Lina the night before.
His peace didn’t last long. The heavy sound of boots echoed in the hallway, and then the door slammed open.
“Damian!” a deep, commanding voice roared.
Damian didn’t need to look up to know who it was. His father’s voice was unmistakable, sharp and filled with authority that demanded obedience.
“What are you doing here?” Damian asked coldly, setting the glass down and leaning back in his chair.
His father stepped inside, his towering figure casting a shadow across the room. He was a man of power, with broad shoulders and a stern face that seemed carved from stone. His presence was suffocating.
“You think I wouldn’t come?” his father growled, his sharp eyes narrowing. “Lina called me.”
Damian’s jaw tightened. “I should’ve known.”
“She told me everything,” his father continued, his voice hard. “That you’ve been cruel, distant and that you hit her.”
Damian stood slowly, his tall frame matching his father’s. “I don’t need a lecture from you,” he said evenly.
“You think you can talk to me like that?” his father snapped, stepping closer. “You forget who made you what you are, Damian.”
Damian’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “And what am I, exactly? A puppet for you to control? Or maybe just a pawn in your endless schemes?”
His father’s hand twitched as if he wanted to strike him, but he held back. “Watch your tone,” he said sharply. “I didn’t raise you to be weak.”
“Weak?” Damian repeated, his voice rising. “I’m weak because I refuse to play Lina’s little game? Because I won’t pretend this farce of a marriage is anything but a deal for power?”
Lina’s Entrance
Before his father could respond, the door opened again, and Lina stepped inside. She was dressed impeccably as always, her emerald gown flowing behind her like a queen’s robe. Her cheek still bore a faint mark from the slap the night before, and she made no effort to hide it.
“Damian,” she said sweetly, though her tone was laced with venom. “I see you’re already entertaining guests.”
“Lina,” Damian said coldly. “This is between me and my father.”
“Actually,” she said, stepping closer, “it’s very much my business. After all, I’m the one you’ve been mistreating.”
“Mistreating?” Damian scoffed, shaking his head. “Don’t play the victim, Lina. You’re as manipulative as they come.”
His father cut in, his voice booming. “Enough! Both of you!” He turned to Damian, his expression dark. “You married her. You made this choice. Now you’ll honor it.”
Damian laughed bitterly. “Honor? You want to talk about honor? You’re the one who sold Aurora off like she was nothing. You’re the reason I’m stuck in this mess.”
His father’s eyes flashed with anger. “Aurora was a distraction,” he said firmly. “She was beneath you. I did what had to be done.”
“You ruined her life,” Damian shot back, his voice shaking with rage. “You took everything from her.”
“And what would you have done?” his father demanded. “Thrown away our legacy for some girl who didn’t belong in our world? You’re a fool, Damian. I saved you from yourself.”
Lina Stokes the Fire
Lina watched the exchange with satisfaction, her lips curling into a small smile. “He’s right, Damian,” she said, her voice soft but pointed. “You were blinded by her. She was nothing more than a distraction.”
Damian turned to her, his eyes blazing. “You don’t get to speak about her.”
Lina raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “Why not? She’s gone, Damian. And she’s never coming back. You should thank your father for making that happen.”
Damian’s fists clenched at his sides. He took a step toward her, his voice low and dangerous. “Don’t push me, Lina.”
“Or what?” she said mockingly. “You’ll hit me again? Go ahead, Damian. Show your father what kind of man you’ve become.”
“Enough!” his father thundered, stepping between them. He turned to Damian, his face filled with anger. “You will control yourself, or I will make you.”
Damian’s chest heaved as he tried to rein in his rage. “Why are you even here?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“I’m here to remind you of your duty,” his father said coldly. “You think you can behave like a spoiled child, lashing out at your wife and sulking in your study? You’re a disgrace.”
“A disgrace?” Damian repeated, his voice filled with bitterness. “You’re the one who turned me into this. You taught me that power is the only thing that matters, that people are tools to be used and discarded. Don’t pretend you’re better than me.”
His father’s face darkened, and for a moment, the room was filled with heavy silence.
The Final Blow
“You think you’re strong because you fight me,” his father said quietly, his voice like ice. “But strength isn’t about defiance, Damian. It’s about control. And right now, you’re spiraling out of control.”
Damian laughed bitterly. “Control? Is that what you call this? Forcing me into a marriage I didn’t want, taking Aurora from me”
“Aurora was a liability,” his father interrupted sharply. “And this marriage was your choice. You wanted power. You wanted to prove yourself. Don’t blame me for the consequences of your own ambition.”
Damian’s hands shook as he stared at his father, his vision clouded by rage. “You don’t care about me,” he said quietly. “You never have. All you care about is your legacy.”
“And you don’t care about anyone but yourself,” his father shot back.
Before Damian could respond, Lina stepped forward, her tone sharp. “Enough of this,” she said firmly. “This bickering isn’t solving anything. Damian, you need to grow up and face reality. Aurora is gone. I’m your wife now. The sooner you accept that, the better.”
Damian’s eyes flicked to Lina, his expression hard. “You think you’ve won, don’t you?” he said softly.
Lina tilted her head, her lips curling into a smirk. “I already have.”
For a moment, Damian said nothing. Then he turned sharply, walking toward the door.
“Where are you going?” his father demanded.
“Anywhere but here,” Damian said coldly, slamming the door behind him.
Aftermath
In the silence that followed, Lina turned to Damian’s father, her smile fading. “He’s unhinged,” she said quietly.
“He’s a fool,” his father replied. “But he’ll learn. One way or another, he’ll learn.”
Lina nodded, her gaze hardening. “He’d better. Because I won’t tolerate this much longer.”
His father placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. “Leave him to me. I’ll make sure he falls in line.”
Lina’s lips curved into a small smile. “Good. Because if he doesn’t, I’ll handle him myself.”