As Damian and Ariana stepped back into the ballroom, the crowd subtly shifted—
giving space, lowering voices, watching them with a mixture of curiosity, envy, and wariness.
Ariana kept her gaze low.
Damian kept his hand at her back, guiding her as if she were the only one in the room.
A group of influential board members approached, each wearing stiff smiles.
"Mr. Steele," one of them said, extending a hand.
"A pleasure to finally meet you face-to-face."
Damian shook the hand with a cold, controlled grip.
Ariana could see how the man's wrist trembled from the pressure.
"I am still the same person," Damian replied calmly.
"I simply removed a mask."
"Yes, yes, of course," another man said nervously.
"It's an honor. Truly."
But then—
someone from behind murmured just loud enough:
"I wonder if he removed the mask because of pressure… or because of her."
The words were not meant to be respectful.
Ariana stiffened.
Damian heard it too.
His jaw tightened in a way that meant danger.
He turned slowly toward the speaker—
a politician with a slimy smile and too much confidence.
"What did you say?" Damian asked, his voice low.
The man forced a laugh.
"No offense meant, of course. We're all just… surprised you're parading your little wife around tonight."
Ariana froze.
Little wife?
Parading?
Damian's expression darkened.
"You will watch your words," he said sharply.
The man raised his palms mockingly.
"Oh come on, Steele. You can't expect the entire country to suddenly accept her. A plain girl from nowhere? Besides—"
He smirked.
"Everyone knows who you were meant to marry."
The air went ice-cold.
A few people stepped back.
Even the orchestra softened their playing, sensing tension.
Damian took a step closer, his voice deadly calm.
"Do not say her name."
The man blinked, startled.
"Oh? Hit a sore spot? I only meant—"
"You will not repeat her name," Damian said again, slower.
"Not in front of my wife. Not in my presence. Not ever."
Ariana's heart thudded painfully.
He wasn't just angry.
He was furious.
The man scoffed.
"You're overreacting. Everyone knows Lena was—"
Damian moved before anyone could blink.
He didn't strike the man—
Damian never wasted effort that way.
He simply leaned down, close enough that the politician trembled.
"Lena Hart is nothing to me," Damian whispered coldly.
"She ceased to exist in my life the moment she walked away. If you value your reputation, you will not speak about her again."
The man swallowed hard.
"But—"
Damian straightened and slipped an arm behind Ariana's waist, pulling her gently but undeniably close.
"My loyalty," he said calmly, clearly,
"belongs to my wife."
Gasps broke out.
Ariana's breath hitched.
The man paled—
because Damian had publicly chosen his side, his truth, his honor.
"And anyone," Damian continued, voice dropping dangerously low,
"who disrespects my wife… disrespects me."
No one dared speak after that.
Even the music seemed to stay quieter.
The politician backed away, face flushed, bowing awkwardly before disappearing into the crowd.
Damian exhaled slowly, as if restraining the last of his anger.
He turned to Ariana.
"Ariana… are you alright?"
She nodded, though her voice trembled.
"Y-Yes."
He cupped the back of her elbow gently.
"He had no right to speak that way. About you. About anything."
Ariana looked up at him softly.
"You defended me again."
He stared at her for a long moment.
Then—quietly, seriously—he said:
"I will always defend you."
Her heart fluttered so violently she thought it might burst.
But Damian wasn't finished.
"And Ariana?" he added in a low voice.
"Yes?"
He leaned closer, not touching, but near enough that she felt his warmth.
"You are not plain."
Her breath caught.
"You are never less."
Her lips parted, stunned.
"And you," Damian murmured,
"are never 'little.' Ever."
Ariana didn't know what to say, so she simply looked at him—
really looked at him.
The face hidden for years.
The power whispered about.
The man feared by millions.
Yet here he was…
protecting her.
Standing by her.
Choosing her.
Someone cleared their throat nearby.
"Mr. Steele, the board needs a moment—"
Damian didn't take his eyes off Ariana as he answered:
"They can wait."
Ariana's knees nearly gave out.
This man…
This dangerous, powerful, untouchable man…
was slowly, unmistakably falling for her.
And she didn't know how to protect her heart anymore.