Destruction

Dominic’s POV

That cursed photograph had branded itself into my consciousness. Days had passed since Beatrix delivered her poison, yet the image remained crystal clear behind my closed eyelids. My father Marcus pressing Gemma against the brick wall of the Social Union, his mouth claiming territory on her throat, her body melting into his embrace. The note that came with it was surgical in its simplicity: "Your father’s newest conquest."

Every fiber of my being burned with betrayal.

All those nights Gemma had fed me carefully constructed lies. Perfect explanations rolling off her tongue like practiced lines. Supporting Ivy through her emotional breakdown. Girls’ evenings to boost morale among the women. Each story different when I questioned her whereabouts. Meanwhile, she was allowing that bastard to put his filthy hands all over her flesh.

The evening after Beatrix’s revelation, fury took complete control of my actions. I drove like a madman to the Social Union, located Beatrix sipping her usual martini at the bar, and hauled her outside to the parking structure. We coupled against her vehicle with the same raw desperation we’d shared before Gemma entered my world and turned everything upside down. Even as Beatrix cried out beneath me, all I could visualize was that damning image of my father staking his claim on what I believed belonged to me.

Torturous days crawled past at an excruciating pace. Vincenzo had resumed his normal routine after the recent family crisis, but Marcus continued circling our territory like a predator waiting to strike. When Nadia organized another family gathering, I manufactured another flimsy excuse for Gemma’s conspicuous absence. The moment Marcus crossed the threshold, his mere presence contaminated the atmosphere. I couldn’t stomach sharing the same space with him.

"Departing already, boy?" His voice carried that familiar mockery as I made my escape.

I whipped around, pure hatred coursing through my veins. "Never address me like that again. I am nothing to you."

"Quite the contrary." His smile turned razor-sharp. "We have so many preferences in common, you and I. Identical appetites, one might say."

The veiled reference in his tone shattered my final restraint. I launched myself forward, wrapping both hands around his windpipe. "Keep your filthy mouth sealed. You understand me? I will never be your son!"

His mocking laughter echoed even as Nadia physically separated us. "I’ve always exceeded your capabilities, boy. Women invariably select me when given the choice."

I bolted to my car, hands trembling with murderous rage. Minutes later, Beatrix slid into my passenger seat. We burned through the hours at some seedy roadside establishment, her flesh serving as temporary relief from the inferno consuming my chest. But nothing could penetrate the expanding void where my heart used to beat.

Days passed with me deliberately ignoring Gemma’s attempts at contact. My phone would vibrate, her name illuminating the display, and I’d allow it to transfer to voicemail. Mia kept questioning why I refused her calls, bewilderment etched across her features. Even my closest associates seemed mystified by the sudden communication blackout, though none pressed too aggressively for explanations.

Beatrix had become my preferred numbing agent. The previous afternoon, I’d abandoned work early and transported her to that same decrepit motel. I informed Zoe I was meeting with Vincenzo, knowing she harbored intense dislike for Beatrix due to her alliance with Yara Rossi. Perceptive woman, my lieutenant.

Today carried a different energy. Gemma hadn’t attempted contact even once. No calls to my cellular device, no messages to the office, not even communication through Mia. Had she finally surrendered the fight? Part of me should have experienced relief. This outcome aligned with my desires, didn’t it? For her to vanish from my existence entirely. Then why did her silence feel like another knife twisting in my gut?

I headed straight home after concluding business, craving nothing beyond scalding water, aged whiskey, and oblivion.

The doorbell disrupted those intentions.

Beatrix posed in my entrance, radiating predatory satisfaction and artificial brightness. "Hello, beautiful. You disappeared for days straight."

"I’m drained, Beatrix. Find someone else tonight." I stepped aside reluctantly, already cursing my weakness.

"Excellent." She coiled her arms around my neck possessively. "Allow me to restore your energy."

Before I could voice objection, her mouth captured mine. The alcohol already flowing through my system blurred the edges of reality. Somehow we relocated to my bedroom, the identical space where Gemma and I had constructed our private sanctuary. I squeezed my eyes shut and permitted Beatrix’s body to obliterate those memories, even as Gemma’s face materialized behind every movement.

"Should we arrange for food delivery?" Beatrix emerged from my bathroom later, wearing nothing but smugness. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Fine." I ordered pizza and retreated to the shower.

The scorching spray couldn’t cleanse the self-loathing coating my skin. When I finally emerged, I’d resolved to enjoy whatever this arrangement was before dismissing Beatrix permanently. The doorbell chimed as I was pulling on underwear.

"Is that our meal, gorgeous?" I called out, moving toward the main living area.

The tableau awaiting me stopped my blood circulation entirely.

Beatrix positioned herself at my opened door wearing exclusively my dress shirt, her posture deliberately seductive. Beyond the threshold, Gemma stared back at both of us. Her expression cycled through shock, comprehension, and soul-crushing anguish within heartbeats. Moisture gathered in her eyes as she absorbed Beatrix’s state of undress, my half-clothed appearance, the unmistakable conclusion.

"No, darling." Beatrix’s voice dripped with malicious triumph. "Simply an uninvited disruption."

I watched Gemma’s spirit fracture before she turned away. Every instinct demanded I pursue her, but Beatrix slammed the barrier shut and pressed her spine against it.

"What was that performance?" Rage replaced my paralysis.

"Calm yourself, sweetheart. That insignificant nobody isn’t worth your concern. Return to bed with me."

Her hands reached for my flesh and I recoiled violently. "Get dressed. Leave immediately. Now."

"Don’t allow that pathetic creature to destroy our evening." Beatrix advanced closer and something lethal flashed through my consciousness at her terminology.

"Exit my residence before I physically remove you myself."

My tone carried sufficient frost to freeze the underworld. Beatrix recognized the genuine threat and clothed herself rapidly, her departure punctuated by multiple slammed doors and squealing rubber.

When the pizza arrived, I compensated the delivery driver and instructed him to keep everything. Then I consumed alcohol until consciousness mercifully abandoned me.

Dawn brought Lila’s condemnation in the elevator.

"What a catastrophe, Dominic." Her disappointment cut more deeply than fury would have. "I’m the sole person who knows the truth, so remain silent. Gemma doesn’t want this information public yet. She claims Caleb and Ivy have sufficient problems without adding your chaos to their burden." She examined me with revulsion. "I believed you possessed more character than this."

The elevator announced her floor’s arrival. "Stay away from her completely. And terminate my employment if you wish. I’ve stopped caring."

Her words left me completely hollow. Did Lila understand the complete story? Or did she only witness what appeared to be my betrayal of an innocent woman?

My phone buzzed with a message from Nadia: "Dominic, what have you done? Beatrix is broadcasting to everyone that you’re romantically involved again."

Perfect. Absolutely perfect.