The Rise of the Abused Wife

Tonight was my first operation.

I was surprised to see Sebastian already in the SUV, dressed in a black tuxedo, his usual coat draped over his shoulders.

"You look posh," I teased as I slid into the car.

"And you look dangerous."

I wore a simple black dress that hugged the curves of my body. My makeup was light, and my hair was styled in a bun, with a few strands falling to one side to conceal my earpiece. On my thigh, hidden just behind the slit of my dress, was a 38 Colt revolver. In my luxurious purse lay a folded Black Talon serrated knife.

I wasn't just dangerous.

I was destruction herself.

And Sebastian?

He was death itself.

Wherever he went, life fled.

"You remember what to do?"

"Take out Jackal on the balcony, where he gets sniped."

"And if the sniper misses?"

"I'll finish him off myself."

He nodded, "Good girl."

I allowed myself a small smile as I settled into the seat. "A question?"

"Hm?"

"Are they going to be there?"

"Why do you think I even invited you?"

My heart clenched. It had been a long time since I last faced my husband and his mistress. I had refused to check in on their lives, ignored any news about them. It had been months since I had visited my daughter as well.

"Nervous?"

I shook my head, "Over my dead body."

We arrived at the venue ten minutes before the event started. The ballroom was brimming with light, the scent of liquor thick in the air, the moment we stepped inside. Guests of high social standing were scattered throughout- CEOs, politicians, drug dealers- Sebastian's favorite prey.

I was astounded by how many people recognized him. This wasn't the image I had of him.

Trailing behind him like a shadow, I observed how he navigated the crowd. He was chummy with the guests- not talkative, but engaged. He spoke little, yet his words were precise.

So this was the mask he wore at social gatherings. Smart.

As I scanned the room, my breath hitched. My ex-husband was walking toward us. Selene's hands were draped around his shoulders as she whispered something in his ear. The moment I saw them, my world felt like it was shutting down.

"Look who we have here," Selene greeted me first.

Shit. I wasn't ready for this.

"We were wondering where in the world you were hiding, Kierra."

My throat went dry. My mind, blank. Damian's gaze swept over me from head to toe, disapproval evident in his eyes. "Are you here with someone?" he asked.

"It's none of your business," I snapped.

Selene let out a cruel laugh, "She's probably looking for another rich man to haul her ass. That's what you're known for, anyway- spreading your legs to get yourself a man. The way you did with Damian."

"I had to file for bankruptcy for your pathetic little business because you neglected it for months, Kierra."

"Should I thank you for that?" I retorted.

Selene rolled her eyes, taking a step closer, swirling the vodka in her glass as she scrutinized my dress. "I didn't know you could afford that. Last I checked, you couldn't even afford your daughter's funeral."

My fingers curled into fists.

Selene lifted her glass, ready to pour the drink on me. But before she could, a strong arm pulled me back, causing her to drip her alcohol into her own dress. She cursed instantly while my eyes widened.

"There you are. I was looking for you, kitten."

Heat crept up my cheeks as Sebastian whispered in my ear. His hand, firm and possessive, had found its way around my waist, pulling me against him. I quickly lowered my gaze to hide my expression.

What the hell is this man doing?!

"If you keep straying away, I might just leash you," he murmured, his voice laced with amusement.

"W-What are you doing?" I hissed, my face burning.

He merely smirked, enjoying my reaction far too much.

"M... Mr. Novair?" Damian's eyes were just as shocked as mine. "You're invited here too?"

"Ah." Sebastian's sharp gaze turned to him. The light in his eyes faded instantly. What was left was something cold, something lifeless. Something murderous.

"I didn't see you there, Mr...?"

"Damian Hail," he introduced himself, extending a hand that trembled slightly. "I've contacted you multiple times. Do you not remember me?"

Sebastian raised a brow, as if trying to recall. He didn't shake Damian's hand. After a moment of awkwardness, Damian lowered it.

"Do you know her, Mr. Novair?" Selene cut in, as if she had a right to speak.

Damian cleared his throat, "This woman used to be-"

"Your divorced wife. Yes, I recall that." Sebastian's voice carried through the ballroom, drawing curious glances. His gaze flickered to Selene, "And you must be his mistress."

"What..?" The room stilled. Selene stepped back behind Damian, her confidence wavering. "You must be interested in leftovers," she muttered under her breath.

I gave her a cold smile. "And you must be interested in married men. Or is it that you simply enjoy ruining families?"

Selene's face twisted in rage. She raised her glass again-

Before she could do anything, a staff member quickly intervened, "Ma'am, please, let's keep things civil-"

Selene scoffed and shoved the staff roughly to the ground. "Get out of my face! Do you know who I am? I could have you fired in a second!"

The woman stumbled back, barely catching her footing.

"Stupid, fucking bitch lowlife!" 

That was it.

My patience snapped like a brittle thread.

Without hesitation, I stepped forward and, with all the force I could muster, slapped Selene across the face. The sound echoed through the ballroom, silencing the chatter.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Selene's head snapped to the side, her perfectly styled hair now slightly disheveled. Slowly, she turned back to me, eyes wide in disbelief.

"You-you just hit me!"

I tilted my head, my lips curling into a smirk. "And I'll do it again if you lay a hand on her."

Damian stepped forward, his expression darkening.

But Sebastian lazily lifted a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "I'd think twice if I were you, Mr. Hail. Unless you'd like to embarrass yourself even further tonight."

Selene's eyes darted between us, realization dawning. The tables had turned. For once, she had no words.

She was nothing more than a spectacle now.

A fallen queen in the court she thought she ruled.

I leaned in slightly and whispered, just loud enough for her to hear.

"Consider this a fraction of what's coming. You should have thought twice before crossing me, Selene. I will burn you to the ground, til no one speaks of your name no more.”