The famous city of Velaria, in the wealthy country of Velmere, gleamed under the night sky. Its crown jewel was The Elite Club, a place known for its intoxicating music and the beauty of the performers. Inside, the richest men threw money like paper, basking in luxury and desire.
Through the noise and flashing lights, Evander Auralis walked in, his secretary Max following close behind. Evander despised places like this. His expression remained cold until a familiar voice called out.
"Hey, Evan! You came," said Charles Whitemare, a longtime friend.
Evander's gaze cut to him, unimpressed. "Why did you invite me here?"
Charles grinned, lifting his glass. "Come on, you're in Velaria and you don't step into the Elite Club? What a waste. Look around—it's full of beauties. Sit, bro."
Reluctantly, Evander sat. A waiter bowed and poured their wine. The two clinked glasses, Charles toasting, "Cheers to the new project."
Evander's mind drifted with boredom—until his eyes shifted.
A boy in black silk sat across the room. Pale skin, dangerous beauty, and a practiced smile that drew men like moths to flame. He perched on another man's lap, slender fingers brushing the man's chest with a seductive ease, while the stranger's hand rested possessively on his waist.
Evander's chest tightened. His eyes widened as he muttered, almost to himself_
"…What is he doing here?"
That boy wasn't just anyone.
It was Damien Hale.
The man who had once been his husband.
The one who had only ever smiled for him.
The one who had craved nothing but Evander's love and touch—
And now he was here.
Selling his beauty in the very filth Evander loathed.
Evander quickly stood up, his face dark with fury, and strode toward the boy. Without hesitation, he grabbed Damien's hand and yanked him up roughly.
Evander (furiously): "What the hell are you doing here?"
Damien's eyes met his. For a long moment, he simply stared—after two years, their gazes collided once again. Finally, Damien blinked, a sharp smile tugging at his lips.
Damien (coldly smiling): "Working. Isn't it obvious?"
His smile was razor-sharp, his gaze cutting like a blade. Evander was left speechless.
Another man stepped forward, placing a hand possessively on Damien's waist.
Man: "Mr., he's mine. I already paid for him."
Damien maintained that same smile, his expression unreadable.
Damien: "Should we go inside?"
Without waiting for an answer, he let the man lead him away. Evander stood frozen, stunned, unable to move.
Charles, standing nearby, frowned.
Charles: "What happened?"
Evander, forcing his composure, muttered: "I have something urgent to do."
He turned and walked away swiftly. His secretary, Max, bowed respectfully to Charles.
Max: "Mr. Charles, I think Mr. Evander isn't feeling well."
Charles nodded silently, and the matter was left at that.
Inside his luxurious car, Evander loosened his tie, his thoughts a storm. The image of what he had just witnessed burned into his mind: his ex-husband—the once-proud heir of the Hale family—reduced to selling his body in a filthy club.
Memories clawed their way back. He remembered Damien Hale … the innocent face, the broken expression.
Two Years Ago....
Damien had been sitting on the couch then, hopeless and shattered. Evander's words had been cold, merciless.
Evander: "Our relationship was only because of my mother. Now that she's gone, it ends here. You already know I was never happy with this marriage—it's nothing but a cage to me."
Damien sat in silence, his head bowed, his eyes red as tears streamed endlessly down his face. Finally, his trembling voice broke the silence.
Damien (pleading): "Evander… please, don't do this. I promise—I'll do my best. I'll be the perfect husband. I love you… don't leave me. I beg you."
But beside Evander, a young woman stood. Her lips curved into a sharp, mocking smile.
Woman: "Evan, dear… he's not crying for you. He's crying for the wealth, the money. Not for love."
Without another word, Evander stepped forward, picked up the divorce papers from the table, and signed them with ruthless finality.
Damien's tears fell harder, his heart breaking with every stroke of Evander's pen. Evander left without looking back.
The woman lingered. She approached Damien, bending down to whisper in his ear with cruel delight.
Woman (mocking): "So… what now? You never learned how to earn, never knew the real world. How pitiful. Who would believe—the great heir of the Hale family, the husband of Evander Auralis—reduced to nothing but a homeless man?"
She pulled a few dollar bills from her purse and tossed them onto the table.
Woman: "Here, Damien. Take this. Buy yourself some food. Goodbye."
Her laughter echoed as she walked out, leaving him in ruins.
Damien sat alone. No family. No husband. No friends. Nothing left. Just the papers before him. He wiped his tears, his hands trembling, and finally signed his name—sealing his fate.
In present...
Steam still clung to Damien's skin as he sat before the mirror, his damp hair dripping onto his bare shoulders. He lifted a small jar of ointment and carefully rubbed it along the fresh bite marks scattered over his neck.
The door creaked open. Kyle stepped in, his gaze instantly hardening at the sight. Dropping onto the bed, he exhaled sharply.
Kyle (disgusted): "Tch… this client left too many scars on you."
Damien's eyes flicked up, catching Kyle's reflection in the mirror. He didn't answer, just pressed harder on a crimson mark.
Kyle leaned forward, voice low. "Dane… who was that man tonight? The one making a scene at the club?"
Damien's hand stilled for a moment. Then he continued applying the ointment as if nothing had happened.
Damien (flatly): "My ex-husband."
Kyle froze. "What?" His voice cracked into a cough, disbelief written all over his face.
Damien simply nodded, calm, detached.
Kyle's hands clenched into fists. "I should kill him. After everything he did—"
A faint, mocking smile curved Damien's lips.
Damien: "Calm down."
Kyle's voice shook, torn between rage and pain. "He hurt you, Dane…"
Damien finally turned his head, meeting Kyle's eyes through the mirror. His tone was cool, sharp, and final.
Damien: "I've already forgotten him. He means nothing now. I don't care… I'm happy in my new life."