Chapter 2
On the day Damian was discharged from the hospital, he booked out the most expensive mall in the city.
“Scarlett, pick anything you like.”
He held my hand like a boy hopelessly in love, the affection in his eyes almost spilling over.
I casually pointed at a dress in the display window, a starlight gown.
It was one of those signature pieces from a high-end fashion house. The store's crown jewel, basically. And it wasn't for sale.
I remembered Isabella wearing it once at a gala.
Back then, Damian had pulled every string he had just to buy it from the brand and make her smile.
“That one,” I said softly.
Damian glanced at it and frowned slightly.
His trusted confidant and childhood friend, Marcus, immediately stepped forward and reminded him in a low voice.
“Damian, that dress… belongs to Miss Isabella.”
Damian’s gaze turned cold in an instant.
“Who is Isabella?”
Marcus went pale and didn’t dare say another word.
Damian ignored him and turned to the mall manager.
“Bring that dress for Scarlett to try on.”
His tone allowed no argument, carrying the natural pressure of a man born to command.
The manager was sweating all over as he apologized again and again. “Mr. Damian, I’m sorry. This piece isn’t for sale, and it has already been reserved…”
“I don’t care who reserved it.”
Damian cut him off, his voice ice-cold.
“In ten minutes, I want to see Scarlett wearing it.”
“Otherwise, this mall will disappear from the map by tomorrow.”
That was Damian. Even without his memory, the dominance and cruelty carved into his bones had never changed.
The manager was terrified out of his mind and immediately sent someone to get the dress.
I was led into the highest-level VIP fitting room.
When I walked out in that dress, everyone held their breath.
The diamonds on the skirt glittered under the lights, as if I were wearing an entire galaxy.
Damian’s eyes filled with awe. He stepped forward and pulled me into his arms.
“You’re beautiful.”
He lowered his head and kissed me.
The kiss was soft, slow, lingering—nothing like the ones he used to give me. Those were all about possession, about punishment.
But all I felt was disgust.
I pushed him away and said quietly, “I don’t like it.”
Damian froze.
“You don’t like it?”
“Mm.” I nodded. “I don’t like wearing things another woman has worn.”
After saying that, I picked up the scissors beside me and cut straight into the expensive skirt without hesitation.
Rip...
The crisp sound of tearing fabric was painfully sharp in the silent mall.
Everyone sucked in a breath.
Marcus was especially stunned. He pointed at me, so furious he could barely speak.
“You… are you insane? Damian went through so much trouble to get this for Miss Isabella...”
“Shut up!”
Damian’s furious shout made Marcus flinch.
He didn’t look at me. Instead, he stared at Marcus with a dark, vicious look in his eyes.
“I don’t want to hear that woman’s name from your mouth again.”
“My wife is Scarlett. Only Scarlett.”
“If she doesn’t like it, then forget one dress. I’d burn down the whole mall if she wanted me to.”
With that, he took off his suit jacket and draped it over my shoulders, then scooped me up in his arms.
“We’re going home.”
Holding me, he walked past the stunned crowd without looking back.
After we returned to the villa, he placed me on the soft bed.
“Scarlett, I’m sorry.”
He dropped to one knee, held my hand, and looked at me with guilt written all over his face.
“This was my fault. I made you suffer.”
I pulled my hand back and looked at him coldly.
“Damian, do you really not remember Isabella?”
I mentioned her name on purpose. I wanted to see how he would react.
His brows knitted together, and a trace of confusion and pain flashed across his face.
“I don’t know who she is.”
“My mind only has room for you.”
He hugged me and buried his face against my neck, like a helpless child.
“Scarlett, don’t leave me.”
“You’re all I have.”
I let him hold me stiffly, my heart a barren wasteland.
I’m all you have?
Damian, this is only the beginning.
I will make sure that, one day, you truly have nothing left but me.
No. Not even me.
