Scarred Seductress

Fatal Want

Damien’s eyes roamed the quiet beach as he dragged a long smoke from the cigarette curved between his fingers, his phone in the other hand, a recently uploaded picture of Selene glaring from its screen.

He had spent the entire night stalking her pages on social media, following her every move, waiting for the notification that she had followed him back—all while standing on his balcony, enjoying the morning breeze, hoping to catch even the slightest glimpse of her.

“Honey…” Marina’s voice echoed from the room as her footsteps closed in from behind him.

Damien let out an angry scoff and slipped his phone into his pocket, his face void of any trace of warmth as Marina stepped up beside him.

“Good morning, my love…” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning in to press a kiss to his lips.

Damien turned away.

Marina swallowed hard, her cheeks burning with shame. He wouldn’t even look at her—like he had snapped right back into the cold, distant man she had known for years, after spending the last two nights with her, deluding her into believing that maybe—just maybe—he wanted her, even a little.

“Get your hands off me, Marina…” Damien growled, his face etched with open disdain.

Marina nodded and loosened her hold, stepping back reluctantly.

“I’ll take it you’re not in the best mood this morning…” she said lightly, forcing a smile as her eyes lifted to his face.

The smile faltered when she noticed the small cut on his lips.

“What… what happened to your—”

Damien stepped away before she could reach for him. Marina swallowed the rest of her words and forced her gaze aside, anger beginning to boil beneath her skin.

He had been fine with her just hours ago. Not affectionate—but he had touched her. Twice. He hadn’t pushed her away.

So what changed?

Damien said nothing and turned to walk away when Marina spoke again, halting him mid-step.

“As far as I know, Damien… you didn’t get into a fight with anyone. You’re a Moretti—no one would dare lay a finger on you.”

Damien’s eyes returned to her.

“You kissed someone,” she said quietly.

Something flickered across his face—just enough to confirm it.

Marina let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head as her fingers clawed through her hair, like she was on the verge of losing her mind.

“You are unbelievable, Damien…” she croaked, tears gathering in her eyes.

“It’s nothing serious.”

“Oh please, Damien. It’s our f*****g wedding anniversary! And while I lay here alone, waiting for my perfect husband, he’s out there kissing some w***e?” she spat, closing the space between them as she paced.

Damien’s face remained blank—no regret, no guilt, no fear.

“How could you do this to me?”

“I owe you nothing, Marina—and you know that.” Damien suddenly exploded, startling her into silence.

His hand seized her wrist, tearing a painful whimper from her lips.

“You have no f*****g right to question me, Marina. If it wasn’t for Quinn, I would never—”

“I don’t want to hear it!” Marina snapped, yanking herself free. “It makes me sick!”

Damien turned away, clenching his jaw.

“If it wasn’t for Quinn, you would never have married me,” she laughed bitterly. “I hear it every day, Damien. And I’m f*****g tired of it.”

Damien tossed the cigarette aside, ready to storm off.

“Well, go ahead,” Marina yelled after him. “Have fun with her. Do whatever you want—I don’t care!”

Damien scoffed.

“Just make sure to keep her tucked away somewhere,” she added venomously. “She’s nothing but trash anyway. So do your thing with the slut and toss her when you’re done.”

“You don’t get to tell me what to do, Marina.”

“Of course I do,” she snapped. “I’m your wife.”

Damien lowered his gaze, biting down on his lower lip, his fists clenching at his sides.

“I’m saying this for your own good, Damien… and for hers too. Because if your father catches even the slightest hint of her—of how she’s swaying you from your duties…” she scoffed coldly. “She’ll be rotting six feet under with Samantha a lot faster than you’d ever expect.”

Damien’s eyes snapped wide, her words crashing into him like a tidal wave, stealing his breath.

“What did you just say?”

Marina rolled her eyes and brushed past him, storming back into the room.

“I asked you a f*****g question, Marina,” Damien barked as he followed, his body shaking with fury. “What did you just say?”

“Breakfast’s in ten minutes,” Marina huffed, heading for the door.

She left the suite before Damien could get another word out.

Damien stared at the empty room, realizing with a quiet swallow that wanting Selene would cost blood, and someone had already chosen whose.