3

Damian stood there, staring at her. Her command sounded loud in the lobby. More people turned, watching the drama unfold.

The security man still looked unsure. He didn't want to throw his boss’ husband out and then face punishment. So, he stood there.

Regina noticed what was happening. If the security man was having doubts, it meant that a lot of people were having doubts as well. She couldn't have that. They had to know that Damian was a bad person for their family.

“You disgusting creep!” she yelled, pointing a finger at Damian. “You tried to harass me and then attempted to assault me!”

The crowd gasped while some murmured. Nobody was feeling bad for Damian. Instead, they stared at him judgementally. More people stopped what they were doing and watched. They had everyone's attention now.

However, Damian didn't panic. He kept a straight look on his face. He had been through worse. Even though he was irritated by her, he knew exactly what she was doing.

He didn't want to play along.

She was twisting the situation to fit her. She wanted to look like the victim. But, the truth was, whatever he says wouldn't matter to her.

She just wanted control.

"You really think people will believe what you're saying?" Damian asked quietly.

Regina lowered her voice. “You think that? Look at him! You’re already guilty in their eyes.”

The security guard who was nearby. He held the radios on his belts. He was checking to see if he needed to call backup.

Damian glanced at him. This was all predictable of Regina. He had dealt with her on countless occasions before. She was always trying hard to put him in a tight spot. But now, she was pushing.

This wasn’t just about money, this was about humiliation. More guards came forward surrounding Damian.

“Sir, we need you to come with us,” the guard finally said, taking a step  forward.

Damian didn’t move. He just turned his head looking back at each of the guards. He could see the game Regina was playing. She enjoyed being manipulative but this was cheap.

But then, he felt it. A hand touched his jacket pocket. He looked just in time to see Regina slipping her hand into his pocket.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he growled. He narrowed his eyes at her. He was so close to bursting.

Regina ignored him. She removed her hand from his pocket, holding the small necklace—his necklace. It was the one thing of value he had left that was passed down from generations to generations. And now, she was with it.

Her smug smile grew wider. She shook the necklace in front of him. “Look what we have here,” she said. “Isn’t this my sister’s necklace? I wonder how you got your hands on this. Did you steal it?”

Damian felt his body go stiff. His eyes darkened as anger rushed though him. But he had to keep his cool. People were watching. “That’s mine,” Damian said. His voice sounded dangerous.

Regina tilted her head, faking innocence. “Yours? Are you sure? Because it looks an awful lot like the one Bianca had. Mayne you stole it or you know, she probably forgot to take it when she left you.”

He didn’t bother to respond. He could feel the eyes of the security guards and the crowd, all waiting for his next move. He knew Regina was trying to get under his skin but she had crossed a line.

“I’m not going to ask again, Regina. Hand it over.” Damian repeated with warning.

Regina laughed. She held the necklace closer to her chest. “What are you going to do, Damian? Fight me in front of all these people? Or attack poor little me after everything you’ve already done?” She asked, pouting. “Are you going to beat a woman?”

He was barely listening to her. His mind was on the necklace. It was the one thing he had left of his family, before his whole life went up in flames. He was just pissed that she was with it.

“Pathetic,” she scorfed. “Just like I always knew you were. You couldn’t even keep my sister happy. Now you’re stealing from her?”

Damian smiled. It was colder than ice. He was utterly done with her jokes. “This is your last chance. Give me the necklace now.”

“Or what? You’re going to throw a tantrum? You truly were never man enough to stand up to me of Bianca.”

Regina wasn’t done. She took a step closer, lowering her voice so only he could hear. “You’re a nobody, Damian. You always were. You're a puppet for my family, the Callaways, to have fun with. Did you really think you could really be married to someone like Bianca?” She paused and then doubled over, laughing.

“I knew it was only a matter of time before she dropped you for someone better. And now? Now you’re nothing. You have money, no power and certainly, no future.”

Damian remained silence. He had heard enough. His whole focus was on the necklace.

“Do you think I'm going to let you walk away with the necklace?” he asked.

She smirked. “I already have.”

When she least expected it, Damian moved. A security guard tried to stop him but he pushed him aside. He moved like someone that had done it a million times. The guard stumbled backwards shocked. He hadn't expected that. 

Regina’s smile fell.. She hadn’t expected Damian to react. Especially when he pushed the guards like that. “Damian, don’t you dare—”

She couldn't finish.

Damian reached her and grabbed her wrist, raising it up. She struggled to free herself but Damian held onto her tightly.

“Give. It. Back,” he said through gritted teeth.

Regina tried to pull her hand away, but Damian wasn’t moving. “Let go of me! You’re insane!”

“Maybe but stupid is one thing I'm not.”

Regina grew angry. “You fcking bastard,” she cursed, forgetting her manners. “If it's the necklace, you want—” she quickly grabbed it from her other hand and threw it to the floor. She threw it with so much force that the pendant broke from the chain. “—you can have it.”

She smiled, thinking she had won.

Damian didn't think. Swiftly, he lifted his hand and hit her hard across the face. The crowd's gasp and yells were loud as well. The slap was so strong that Regina gasped, stumbling backwards. Her hand immediately held her cheek. She stared at him with wide eyes.

“Did you just slap me?”