The night grew heavier around the mansion, but Ariana didn't want to leave Damian alone.
She sat beside him quietly, letting him breathe, letting him calm, letting him be human for once.
After a long stretch of stillness, Damian finally straightened.
"You should rest," he murmured.
"So should you."
His gaze softened just a little.
He stood and walked her to the hallway.
Ariana paused at her bedroom door.
"Good night," she whispered.
Damian's voice was barely audible.
"Good night, Ariana."
She entered her room, closing the door gently behind her.
Once she was gone…
Damian's entire expression changed.
The softness disappeared.
The vulnerability vanished.
What remained was the man the world feared.
Cold.
Silent.
Unforgiving.
He walked back into his study, picked up his phone, and dialed his assistant.
The call was answered instantly.
"Sir?"
"Find out who leaked that picture," Damian said, voice calm but deadly.
"Who took it, who uploaded it, who paid for it, and which company approved it."
"Yes, sir."
"And when you find them…"
Damian's voice dropped even lower.
"End them. Financially. Legally. Permanently."
There was a short pause—his assistant was used to ruthless orders, but this one carried something heavier.
"Understood, Mr. Steele. I'll begin immediately."
Damian ended the call.
His jaw clenched.
No one humiliated his wife.
No one dragged her name through dirt.
No one made her feel unworthy.
He would burn down an entire company if he had to.
The Next Morning
Ariana woke to the sound of rain tapping against the window.
She sighed softly, expecting a quiet morning.
But when she stepped out into the hall, she almost bumped into a servant rushing by with towels.
"Oh! Madam, good morning!" the maid said nervously.
"Mr. Steele left early today."
"Early?" Ariana blinked. "But it's raining."
The maid hesitated.
"He seemed… troubled."
Ariana's heart tightened again.
Damian rarely showed emotion.
But yesterday, she saw the fracture in him.
She made her way downstairs, worried.
The dining table was already set, but Damian's seat was empty.
A steaming cup of tea sat in her usual spot.
Beside it…
a small folded note.
Her name written in his handwriting.
Ariana's fingers trembled slightly as she opened it.
I had work to handle.
Eat before it gets cold.
— D
A simple message.
But something about it warmed her chest more than it should have.
She sat and picked up her tea, inhaling softly.
Steelenex Tower
Damian walked into the private executive floor, rain dripping from his coat.
Employees stood straighter.
Assistants hurried away.
Silence followed him like a shadow.
His assistant met him at the door.
"Sir, we traced the leak."
Damian didn't slow his steps.
"Who?"
"A small media branch under a rival company. But the person who took the photo…"
He hesitated.
"It was someone inside your wife's workplace."
Damian stopped walking.
The assistant continued carefully.
"They sent the photo to the media outlet along with private information about her."
Damian's voice was dangerously quiet.
"I want the person's name."
"It's already on your desk, sir."
"And the company?"
"Also on your desk. We can bankrupt them in less than a day if you wish."
Damian didn't blink.
"Do it."
The assistant nodded.
"And the individual?"
Damian looked out the window at the rain, jaw tightening.
"Destroy their career.
Quietly.
And make sure they never get close to Ariana again."
"Yes, Mr. Steele."
Damian walked into his office, closing the door softly behind him.
He removed his wet coat, throwing it over the chair.
His eyes landed on the silver bracelet he had given Ariana—the memory of her small hand clutching it.
He exhaled slowly.
For years, he hid his face behind a mask.
But for the first time…
He wasn't sure how long he could keep hiding from her.