All Chapters of REVENGE AND DESIRE: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

CHAPTER 11Selene Carter didn’t sleep that night. She lay on her side, staring at the ceiling of the room Damien had carried her into hours earlier, the bandage still wrapped tightly around her ankle. She could still feel his hands on her skin, the rough brush of his fingers against her wound, the way his jaw clenched when she asked him why he cared.And his answer—I don’t.But she had seen the flicker of something else behind his eyes. Fear, maybe. Or truth.The following morning came with its usual storm—Damien’s world never slowed, never gave room to breathe. An emergency charity gala had been scheduled last minute due to a merger announcement from one of his competitors. The entire city's elite would be there. Every camera. Every vulture with a microphone.Selene wore the dress his assistant had picked for her—deep emerald silk, backless, her hair in waves, her expression unreadable. She was used to being paraded by now, used to the curious looks, the judgmental whispers. But t

CHAPTER 13The hall shimmered with light and laughter. Crystal chandeliers hung like frozen stars above a sea of glittering gowns and tailored tuxedos. The charity gala was a spectacle of wealth and pretense—every conversation lined with false smiles and hidden motives.Selene stood by the edge of the ballroom, her champagne remaining untouched. She had worn the black satin gown Damien’s assistant insisted on—sleek, backless and elegant. But no dress could shield her from the eyes watching, whispering, judging.She could feel him before she saw him.Damien Lancaster entered the room with quiet authority, his black suit sharp, his presence colder than the air conditioning. Conversations paused, eyes darted to their side. His reputation always arrived before he did.Selene looked away and tried to walk away,But she didn’t get far.“Dance with me.” The words were low, right by her ear. His hand slid around her waist before she could argue.“I’m not in the mood,” she murmured.Damien’s vo

CHAPTER 15The storm rolled in just before sunset. Thick clouds covered the sky like a blanket, casting the world in gray color as the black car pulled up the gravel driveway of the remote villa. The place was quiet. Isolated by thick woods and high fences, with no sign of the outside world.Selene stepped out, arms crossed tightly across her chest, the bitter wind whipping her hair. She hadn’t spoken to Damien the entire ride. He hadn't tried to either.The silence between them was its own kind of violence.“This is where we’ll stay for a while,” Damien said, his voice flat, clipped.She didn’t move and stared at the villa, then at him.“Why here?” she asked.He glanced at the guards unloading their bags, then met her eyes.“You’re safer here.”Selene’s laugh was short but sharp.“Don’t insult my intelligence, Damien. This isn’t about safety. You’re not protecting me. You’re controlling me.”His jaw tightened. Inside, the villa was as lavish as expected—marble floors, velvet furnitu

CHAPTER 17The sun rose too quickly, its light creeping in through the wide windows, golden and soft, but to Selene it felt harsh, exposing, cruel.She stirred, slowly, her body aching, her mind racing, and the first thing she felt was warmth, not from the blanket wrapped around her, but from the arm draped over her waist, strong, familiar, possessive.Her heart jumped, her breath hitched, and as she turned her head slightly, she saw Damien, lying behind her, his chest rising and falling steadily, his features relaxed in sleep, peaceful in a way he never was when awake.Because there was peace in this moment, peace in his arms, peace in the way he held her like she belonged there, like she was his, and the weight of that broke her from the inside out.She pulled away, carefully, slowly, like slipping out of a dream she didn’t want to admit she had, every inch of separation slicing through her with guilt, shame, confusion.His arm slid off her waist, his fingers brushing against her sk

CHAPTER 19Rain beat and dropped hard against the villa windows. Lightning lit up the sky like fire. Thunder shook the walls. The power cut out, which makes Everything go black.Selene stood in the center of the room, soaked from the sudden downpour outside. Her dress clung to her skin, revealing her perfect figure. Her hair stuck to her face like a slug.Damien walks in and locks the door behind him. His shirt was half open. He is Wet, His eyes are darker than the storm.“You knew,” Selene said, her voice trembling. “You knew someone was coming for me.”Damien didn’t answer. He moved to the window, looking out at the chaos beyond.“You used me as bait.”He turned Slowly, staring at her quizzically.“You think I’d risk your life to set a trap?”“You risked everything else,” she shot back.Damien stepped closer. “I’m trying to protect you.”Selene laughed Bitterly. “You protect me like a cage protects a bird.”“I cage what’s mine.”She flinched. “And that’s the problem, Damien. I’m not