Later that night, Damian stood at the edge of the bedroom, watching Selena adjust her earrings. Guilt weighed heavily on him—it was what pushed the words from his mouth.
"Let's have dinner outside," he said quietly. "Just us."
Selena glanced at him through the mirror, studying his reflection. She knew that tone. Guilt always made him generous.
She smiled. "Alright."
She chose a black dress, sleek and fitted, the kind that turned heads without asking permission. Her red lipstick was precise, deliberate. She pulled her hair into a high ponytail, exposing her neck, elegant and confident. When she turned toward him, Damian forgot the reason for his guilt entirely.
"You look…" he started, then stopped. "Gorgeous."
She smiled as if she already knew.
The restaurant glowed with warm lights and low music. Wine was poured, food arrived, and Damian tried—too hard—to make her laugh. Selena played along, gracious, affectionate, perfect.
The restaurant doors opened quietly, and Selena looked up instinctively.
Lucian stepped inside with effortless confidence, his presence immediately commanding attention. He was dressed impeccably, calm and composed, yet there was something sharp in the way his eyes scanned the room—as if he measured everything in seconds.
Beside him walked a tall man in a tailored suit, posture precise, expression serious. On his other side was a woman—graceful, poised, her smile polite but observant, the kind that missed nothing.
Lucian spotted Selena and Damian and paused, a faint smile touching his lips before he approached their table.
"Damian. Selena," Lucian said smoothly. "What a coincidence."
Damian stood, offering a handshake. "Lucian. Good to see you."
Lucian gestured toward the man beside him.
"This is Ethan Cole, a lawyer I trust with my major investments."
Ethan inclined his head politely. "A pleasure."
Lucian then turned to the woman at his side.
"And this is Maya Cole, his wife."
Maya smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you."
Selena returned the smile, composed and observant.
Chairs were pulled closer. Conversation flowed easily. Selena positioned herself between Damian and Lucian, effortless, natural—exactly where she wanted to be.
They spoke about life first. Travel. Taste. Ambition. Then work followed naturally, like a door gently opening.
"I believe business should feel alive," Lucian said. "If it doesn't excite you, it's already failing."
Selena's eyes lit up. "Exactly," she said softly. "That's why I'm selective about who I work with."
Lucian turned to her, intrigued. "You work with your husband?"
"We do," she replied. "Together. Investments, developments… projects that require vision."
She paused, letting the moment breathe.
"I actually have an idea that might interest you."
Lucian leaned back slightly, smiling. "I'm listening."
Damian watched them, unaware that this dinner—planned out of guilt—had just become an opportunity.
Selena knew she had found her opening.
Lucian leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice just enough to make the conversation feel private.
"So," he said calmly, eyes on Selena, "you mentioned an idea."
Selena didn't rush. She took a sip of her wine, letting the silence work for her.
"Luxury developments are everywhere," she began. "But most of them are predictable. Beautiful, yes—but forgettable."
Lucian's mouth curved into a faint smile. "Go on."
"What if," she continued, "the project wasn't just a place—but an experience? Something designed for people who want privacy, exclusivity… and control over their environment."
Lucian's interest sharpened. "Control how?"
Selena turned slightly toward him, her posture elegant but assured. "A members-only resort. Limited access. Discreet ownership. Residences combined with private clubs—art, nightlife, wellness—all integrated. No publicity. No crowds."
Lucian studied her carefully now. "You're talking about a closed ecosystem."
"Exactly," she said. "High-net-worth individuals don't want attention. They want security, anonymity, and the feeling that they belong somewhere unreachable."
Lucian nodded slowly. "Location?"
She didn't hesitate. "A coastal city with international access. Or an island—somewhere regulations can be negotiated, not imposed."
Lucian let out a soft breath, impressed. "That's not a small vision."
Selena smiled. "Neither are your investments."
From the other side, Damian shifted in his seat, sensing the shift in energy but not fully understanding it.
"We've handled developments before," he added, eager to stay involved. "High-end, profitable ones."
Lucian glanced at him politely, then returned his focus to Selena. "This idea," he said, "it feels… personal."
"It is," she replied smoothly. "I believe people pay more when something feels costomized to their desires."
Lucian's eyes remained on hers. "I like the way you think."
She met his gaze without flinching. "Then maybe we should explore this further—professionally."
Lucian smiled, deliberate. "I think we should."
Damian raised his glass. "To new opportunities."
They clinked glasses—but Selena knew the real agreement hadn't been spoken aloud.
This wasn't just business.
It was the beginning of something far more dangerous.
The restaurant hummed with quiet music and soft chatter. Candlelight flickered across the polished table, illuminating glasses of wine and carefully plated dishes. Damian laughed at something Selena said, leaning toward her, completely captivated.
Selena smiled, playing the perfect, devoted wife—warm, charming, attentive. But her sharp eyes couldn't help noticing Lucian's gaze, fixed on her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. It wasn't casual curiosity. It was hunger, almost painful to watch.
She tilted her head, letting a strand of hair fall deliberately across her shoulder, brushing it back slowly with her fingers. Her movements were subtle, graceful—but meant to be noticed.
Lucian's eyes followed every motion. Damian, lost in the conversation and Selena's charm, didn't notice the way the temperature shifted at the table.
"Lucian," Selena said smoothly, leaning slightly forward, her voice soft and inviting, "you've traveled extensively. I'd love to hear which city surprised you most."
Lucian's dark gaze lingered on her lips for a moment before meeting her eyes. "Every city has its charm," he said slowly. "But the rare ones… the ones that take your breath away… they're unforgettable."
Selena's lips curved into a knowing smile. She leaned slightly toward Damian, letting her hand brush his arm, the subtle scent of her perfume enveloping them both. "I believe unforgettable experiences are the ones that stay with you forever," she murmured.
Damian's eyes softened, distracted by her nearness. Lucian, however, shifted in his seat, barely hiding the tension in his body. His fingers tapped lightly against his glass—controlled but restless.
"So," Lucian said, tilting his head, "this resort idea of yours… it's more than just buildings. It's a world people enter and can't forget?"
"Yes," Selena replied, maintaining perfect composure. "It's about feeling something they can't find anywhere else." She let her gaze meet his, a slow, deliberate intensity. "Just like… unforgettable people."
Lucian's jaw tightened slightly. He swallowed, then leaned back, trying to mask the effect she was having.
Damian, unaware to the subtle battle of desire at the table, smiled and added, "Selena's insight is sharp. She always sees what others miss."
Selena laughed lightly, her eyes glinting as she leaned just enough into Damian's space, tilting her head toward him.
"Well," she murmured, "sometimes you need someone willing to… take risks." Her hand brushed his softly, a silent promise,
Lucian's eyes darkened with need.
Damian, completely unaware, reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "I'm glad I have you by my side."
Selena's smile was soft and teasing. "Of course," she whispered, "always."
Across the table, Lucian's eyes never left her. Selena caught it—every flicker of tension, every small movement of desire he tried to hide. She leaned into Damian slightly, letting her presence and allure speak louder than words.
The game had begun.
It was no longer just business dinner. It was a subtle battle of obsession, power, and seduction—and Selena was playing it perfectly
The meal drew to a close, laughter still lingering at the table, though the air had shifted. Lucian's gaze never left Selena, dark and hungry, every glance a silent confession of desire.
Selena tilted her head slightly, letting a soft smile touch her lips.
"I think the wine is catching up with me," she said lightly, her voice a gentle, teasing drawl. She leaned into Damian, letting her body brush against his subtly. "I need your support," she murmured, her hand resting lightly on his arm.
Damian, ever protective, placed an arm around her shoulders.
"Of course, my love," he said, pulling her gently closer. His gaze softened, completely unaware of the silent storm brewing across the table.
Lucian's jaw tightened, his fingers gripping the edge of his chair. Every movement between Selena and Damian was torment—the closeness, the intimacy, the way she leaned into her husband's touch. His restraint strained against desire, and it was clear he was drowning in the tension.
Selena let her eyes drift across the table, meeting Lucian's gaze for the briefest second. It was slow, deliberate. A flash of lust and seduction lingered there, unspoken but undeniable. Damian felt nothing; he only felt her warmth and the weight of her hand in his.
Finally, Damian stood. "Shall we?" he said softly, offering her his arm. Selena allowed herself to be guided to her feet, resting against him, playing the perfect picture of elegance and grace.
As they walked toward the door, Selena's eyes remained locked on Lucian's for a fleeting moment longer. A silent promise. A warning. And a thrill.