Damian's convoy moved through the city like a silent shadow—
three black SUVs, windows tinted, security detail sharpened like a blade.
Ariana watched from her bedroom window until the last car disappeared.
Her chest felt heavy, uneasy, tight.
She didn't know where Damian was going…
but she knew what kind of man he became when pushed.
He wouldn't be merciful.
Not tonight.
---
A Warehouse Outside the City
Damian stepped out of the SUV, the sound of gravel crunching beneath his polished shoes.
His men straightened immediately.
"Sir, he's secured inside."
Damian's expression didn't shift.
"Show me."
They led him into an empty warehouse—cold, dark, echoing.
Only one chair sat under a hanging light.
A man was tied to it, trembling.
Damian walked toward him with slow, controlled steps—
the kind that made grown men lose their courage.
The man whispered,
"P-Please… I didn't mean— I didn't know she was—"
Damian's voice cut through the darkness.
"Say her name."
The man froze.
Damian's tone lowered, deadly calm:
"You took her picture.
You wrote a threat.
You infiltrated my event."
His eyes sharpened.
"You know exactly who my wife is."
The man whimpered.
"It—It wasn't personal! I was paid— I was paid good money— a woman hired me—"
Damian's jaw flexed.
"A woman?"
The man nodded violently.
"I don't know her name, I swear! She wore a mask— she just said the target was the girl you brought to the gala."
Damian's voice turned colder.
"Ariana."
The man nodded quickly.
"Yes—yes—her!"
Damian crouched down in front of him, meeting his eyes directly.
"You threatened her."
"N-No! I only took the photo— the red writing wasn't mine—"
Damian tilted his head.
"So someone else touched the image."
The man swallowed.
"She sent it back to me after editing it… told me to upload it under a fake account."
Damian's eyes darkened with quiet, building rage.
"And you didn't think twice about following orders?"
"I—I needed the money…"
Damian's voice grew softer.
And far more terrifying.
"Then you should have stolen from a bank."
He stood slowly, adjusting his cuffs.
"Not touched my wife."
The man began to sob.
"Please! I didn't mean to hurt her!"
Damian's presence grew colder—like ice spreading across the floor.
"You don't understand something," he said.
The man looked up weakly.
Damian stepped closer, voice barely above a whisper:
"Ariana is the only person in this world I will never allow to be harmed."
The man's eyes widened.
Damian leaned down, speaking softly so only the trembling man could hear:
"And you helped someone target her."
The man started crying harder.
"Please! I'll tell you everything—everything I know— just don't hurt me!"
Damian straightened.
"Start talking."
The man gulped.
"She said… she hated the bride. She said the bride took something that belonged to her. She said she wanted the bride to break— to fall— to be chased away—"
Damian's pupils shrank.
A slow, cold fury filled his face.
There was only one person who spoke like that.
One person who believed Ariana had "taken her place."
One person venomous enough to target Ariana directly.
---
Damian's Voice Drops to Pure Ice
"Did she give you a name?"
"No—please, she didn't! But she said— she said she used to be close to you, sir— very close."
Damian's hands curled into fists.
His voice was quiet.
Too quiet.
"She played with fire."
The man continued trembling.
"I'm just a messenger— I don't know anything else!"
Damian stepped back, expression unreadable.
"Good."
He turned to his men.
"Take him to a secure holding location. Keep him alive. Keep him monitored."
"Yes, sir."
The man looked relieved for half a second.
Until Damian finished:
"I'm not done with him yet."
---
Back at the Mansion
Ariana paced the living room, fingers twisted together.
She couldn't sit.
Couldn't breathe normally.
Couldn't calm down.
Every few seconds, she checked the clock.
Every sound made her jump.
Mrs. Rowan approached gently.
"Dear… Damian will be alright."
Ariana swallowed.
"I'm not worried about him being hurt."
Mrs. Rowan blinked.
"Then what worries you?"
Ariana hesitated…
then whispered the truth:
"I'm worried about what he'll do."
Mrs. Rowan sighed softly.
"That man would burn down the world if it meant keeping you safe."
Ariana looked toward the door—
just as it opened.
Damian stepped inside.
His eyes found her immediately.
Her heart leaped.
He looked exhausted.
Tense.
Cold from the night air.
But when he saw Ariana—
His expression changed.
Softened.
Warmed.
Became human again.
"Ariana," he breathed.
She ran to him before she could think—
throwing her arms around him.
Damian froze for a tiny moment—
then wrapped her tightly in his arms.
He held her like she was the only thing anchoring him.
She whispered into his chest:
"Did you get answers?"
"Yes."
"Are you safe?"
"Yes."
"Did you—hurt him?"
Damian paused…
Then rested his chin lightly on her head.
"I did what was necessary."
Ariana closed her eyes.
His voice weakened slightly.
"But I'm here. That's what matters."
She nodded into him.
And Damian pulled her closer—
as if letting go even for a second
would break something inside him