The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 157: Trauma

Chapter 157: Trauma

Alina could see the shock and hurt in Damien’s eyes, and for a brief moment, she almost regretted what she had said. Almost.

But then she remembered all the pain and suffering he had caused her, and the anger boiled up inside her once again.

"You have no right to talk about my mother," Alina said coldly, her voice trembling with rage. "You have no right to even breathe the same air as her. You’re a monster, Damien. A cruel, heartless monster."

Damien just stared at her, his eyes dark and unreadable. Alina could feel his anger and hatred emanating from him like a palpable force, and she knew that she was in real danger.

He then lifted his head to look up at her, with that same gloating spiteful look in his eyes.

"Maybe you really are like your father," Alina said watching his reaction, "well keep going then Damien. Make him proud. Show how much like him you really are. Maybe you will kill Beatrix yourself like he killed your mother."

Damien squinted at him, cocking his head and pushed his hair back away from my forehead.

"I know what you’re doing. It’s not gonna work.

Those mind games don’t work on me any more."

A year ago? What she said would’ve spiraled him

Now? Not a chance.

Alina’s jaw tensed in annoyance and he pointed at him,

"I’m nothing like my father. You wanna know why?"

Alina snorted, "You’re just like him. Prying on a weak woman. You’re just a coward, Damien.

Suddenly, without warning, Damien lunged forward, his hands reaching for her throat. Alina barely had time to react before his fingers closed around her neck, cutting off her air supply.

Alina’s vision began to swim as she struggled to breathe. She could feel Damien’s strength overpowering her, his grip tightening with each passing moment.

Panic began to set in as she realized that she might actually die here, at the hands of this monster.

But then, just as suddenly as he had attacked her, Damien released her. Alina gasped for air, coughing and sputtering.

Damien stood over her, his breathing heavy and labored.

For a moment, he just looked at her, his expression inscrutable.

"Ha!" Alina chuckled.

"Like I said, you’re just your father. Your mother will be highly disappointed." Alina spat a smirk on her lips.

Then, without a word, he turned and walked away, leaving Alina alone in the darkness.

Alina lay there for a few moments, her body shaking with adrenaline and fear.

Slowly, she let out a breath of relief, feeling the bruises on her neck where Damien had choked her.

She knew that she had narrowly escaped death, and that Damien was still out there, somewhere, waiting for his next chance to kill her.

But Alina was determined to survive. She would do whatever it takes to stay alive, to protect herself and those she loved. She would never let Damien or anyone else take that away from her.

******

Damien racked his hands through his hair as tiny drops of water cascaded over his broad shoulder, spilling down over his chest and onto his lower parts.

He closed his eyes and tilted his head up. Alina’s words rang in his head.

"Hmm at least my mom wanted me unlike you who took her own life because she couldn’t stand the sight of you."

Damien shook his head as if to rid himself of Alina’s biting words. He knew that they weren’t entirely true, but they still stung.

He leaned his back against the cool tiles of the shower wall and let the water run over him, hoping it would wash away some of the guilt and pain that had been plaguing him for so long.

As he scrubbed at his skin with the bar of soap, Damien thought back to the day his mother had died. It was an accident, a tragic one, but he couldn’t help but feel responsible.

He had been just a teenager then, and he had been angry and resentful towards his mother for not fighting enough to protect him from his abusive father. He had said hurtful things that day too, just like Alina.

He let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of his past mistakes heavy on his shoulders.

He had ever so briefly forgotten, and yet just as Alina had uttered those words , so did that feeling came back.

It came back home and settled inside him, weighing his body down and fogging his mind.

His plan for revenge was difficult since functioning wasn’t a struggle; it felt impossible

.

He had been back in a bit of a slump...

What a fucking understatement.

The guilt ate him alive, even more so because it was the month he had lost his mother.

He needed time to clear his mind before he continued his torture.

Damien turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist before stepping into the bedroom. He needed to think of a plan, but his mind was still clouded with guilt and regret.

He shook his head again and walked over to his closet, pulling out a fresh set of clothes.

He caught a glimpse of movement from the corner of his eye, causing him to do a double take.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed a small figure in the wardrobe, wearing nothing but pajamas.

His eyes widened in recognition when he realized that the pajamas belonged to him from when he was a child.

The figure stared back at him with curly hair and a timid expression, causing him to stumble back in shock.

He rubbed his eyes in disbelief and tried to steady his racing heart.

As he tried to refocus his blurry vision, the figure disappeared into thin air, leaving him confused and disoriented. He ran his hand down his face in frustration and shook his head, trying to dismiss the hallucination as a result of his sleep deprivation.

Damien sighed and went to stand at the balcony, a cigarette in his hand.

He knew he shouldn’t be smoking but he needed something to keep him busy. He needed to forget his demons tonight.

He was not like his father and he would never be. He wouldn’t let Alina’s word get to him. He sighed, raking his fingers through his hair.

His thoughts returned to Beatrix and wondered what she was doing right now. Probably she was spending quality time with Rhys.

They both deserved it after everything they had gone through these past few days.

As long as they were both happy nothing else mattered.

And as for Alina he would dealed with her. He wasn’t done with her. He would make sure she paid and suffered for everything.

He needed Xavier around in case she triggered any memories of his.

*********

Beatrix lay in her hospital bed, staring up at the ceiling, unable to sleep. She was grateful for the company of Rhys, who had come to visit her at the hospital late at night. As she turned her head to look at him, she saw that he was reading a book he had picked on her bedside.

"Can’t sleep?" Rhys asked, noticing her movement.

Beatrix nodded. "No, I’ve been having trouble falling asleep here. The nurses keep coming in and out to check on me."

Rhys put his book down and leaned back in his chair. "Well, I’m here now. Why don’t we talk or do something to pass the time?"

Beatrix smiled. She was glad to have someone to talk to. They chatted for a while, reminiscing about old times and catching up on each other’s lives. Beatrix was surprised to learn that Rhys has decided to start painting again to pass time.

He promise her that he would make a painting of her and on her birthday he would give it to her.

Beatrix beamed with happiness and pressed a kiss on his forehead.

"Can’t wait."

After a while, Rhys suggested they play a game of cards that her brothers had brought to her in the afternoon.

Beatrix was hesitant at first,because it was late, but Rhys assured her that they could play quietly. They pulled out a deck of cards and began to play.

As they played, Beatrix felt herself relaxing for the first time in days. It felt good to forget about her worries and just enjoy the company of Rhys. He made her laugh with his jokes and funny stories, and she found herself feeling grateful for his presence.

Eventually, Beatrix began to feel tired, her eyelids growing heavy. Rhys noticed and suggested they put the cards away and get some rest. He helped her get comfortable in her bed and then settled back into his chair, picking up his book again.

As Beatrix drifted off to sleep, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. Despite being in a hospital, she knew she wasn’t alone, and that was all thanks to Rhys.