Lingering Warmth Burns Love to Scars

My wifes lover said my sons dislike of Western food was a sign of disrespect towards him.
That night, my wife tore out our sons tongue and served it to her lover for dinner.
In a blind rage, I severed the tendons in Ross Vances arms and legs, making him feel a fraction of my pain.
Everyone thought Cassandra would kill me for it.
Instead, she had me locked in a psychiatric hospital for two years, then used our sons ashes to force me to sign the divorce papers.
The Serrano family has no use for a disobedient dog, shed said, her voice like ice. Either die here, or get out.
I disappeared after that.
Three years later, I inherited my fathers empire, a sprawling network that straddled the line between the legal and the illicit. I returned to the city by invitation, and there, I saw Ross again.
He swaggered up to me and slapped me across the face.
Well, well, if it isnt my dear brother-in-law. I thought youd be dead by now.
I just smiled, grabbed his arm, and twisted until the bone snapped.
It seems youve forgotten the pain of the past, I said calmly. Dont worry. Im happy to remind you.
Rosss scream was like a chicken being strangled.
The crowd of sycophants surrounding him erupted, their voices a cacophony of outrage.
What are you doing?!
Do you have any idea who you just touched? Hes Cassandra Serranos man!
One of them tried to intervene, but I sent him flying with a single kick. Rosss face was pale, slick with a mixture of sweat and tears, but he still managed to point a trembling finger at me.
Adrian! Youre insane! You wouldnt dare
Wouldnt I? I cut him off, releasing my grip and letting him stumble back, cradling his mangled arm. Its been three years. Is this all Cassandra has taught you? How to spew garbage?
A hush fell over the room. The name Cassandra Serrano was a switch, flipping off the noise. Ross, as if Id struck a nerve, shrieked, his voice cracking with tears. Cassandra will make you pay for this! Youll see! Youll see!
I leisurely pulled a disinfecting wipe from my pocket and meticulously cleaned my fingers, as if Id touched something filthy. Then let her come. I have a few questions for her myself. Namely, how she managed to turn a vicious, barking mutt into this pathetic creature who cant even bite anymore.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Everyone knew Ross Vance was the apple of Cassandra Serranos eye. Even when he was just her secret lover, he was untouchable. Now, in the span of three years, under her protection, he had become one of the most feared men in the city. And I had not only broken his arm but had also insulted them both in the same breath.
Ross was shaking with rage, tears and sweat streaming down his face. He looked pathetic. Adrian, youre nothing but a cast-off, a failed husband! A psycho! How dare you lay a hand on me!
I took a step towards him. He flinched, scrambling backward in terror. Ross, do I need to remind you what it feels like to have your guts ripped out by wild dogs?
The color drained from his face. He looked at me as if hed seen a ghost and shrieked, Stop him! Somebody, stop this madman!
People shifted, but no one moved to help. Just then, the crowd parted. A familiar, cold figure, flanked by bodyguards, strode towards us.
Cassandra.
Ross looked like hed seen his savior. He stumbled towards her, his tears flowing freely. Cassandra! He broke my arm! It hurts so much.
Her gaze landed on me, her brow tightening. She looked down at the whimpering Ross. She reached out, not to comfort him, but to take hold of his dislocated arm. He sucked in a breath.
With a sickening crack, she snapped it back into place. Ross screamed and collapsed into her arms.
Its okay, she said, her voice devoid of emotion. But her eyes, when they met mine, were murderous. Adrian. She said my name, the single word carrying an immense weight. Its been three years. Is this your idea of a welcome-home gift?
I looked at her, and the memories flooded back: the sunless days in the asylum, the way she had held our son Xanders ashes over a trash can, forcing me to sign away my life. I stretched my lips into a smile that held no warmth. Just an appetizer. If youd like, I can serve the main course right now.
Ross whimpered beside her. Cassandra, it hurts Hes crazy. Kill him!
She patted his back twice, a hollow gesture of comfort, before turning her attention back to me. It seems your time away hasnt taught you to be humble, Adrian. Its only made you more reckless.
I tossed the used wipe into a nearby trash can and met her gaze. Youre one to talk about reckless. I think the animal who lets her lover murder her own son is the very definition of it.
You! A vein throbbed in her temple. Her arm tightened around Ross, making him cry out in pain again. Adrian, take that back and apologize to Ross. Now. Her voice was low, a command that expected to be obeyed. Then, break your own hand, and I might consider letting you crawl out of here with your pathetic life.
I laughed, a real, genuine laugh. Cassandra, are you still living in a fantasy where you rule the world? I took a step closer, ignoring the bodyguards who tensed around her. You want an apology? I pointed at Ross. Then have him give Xander his tongue back.
Ross shrank behind her. Cassandras face was a thundercloud. What happened to Xander was his own fault! He shouldnt have upset Ross!
Her casual dismissal of our sons death ignited the fire in my eyes. Because of one baseless accusation, you tore out your own sons tongue? Cassandra, even a tiger wont eat its own cub. Youre worse than an animal.
That night, when they brought Xander home, his mouth was a bloody ruin. His small body was curled on the floor like a broken doll. He had choked on his own blood, his wide, terrified eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. And Cassandra had just stood there, looking down at my collapsed form, and said, He wont be upsetting Ross anymore.
In that moment, I knew. This would not end until one of us was dead.
Shut up! she screamed, as if Id stepped on an open wound. Adrian, it seems youve chosen the hard way. She raised her hand, signaling her guards. Hold him down. If he wont do it himself, you do it for him.
The guards closed in. A triumphant smirk flickered across Rosss face. I stood my ground, my eyes locked on Cassandra. Do you really think Im the same man I was three years ago? The same man who was powerless to protect his own son?
Cassandra lunged, her hands closing around my throat. Her eyes were blood-red, filled with a raw, undisguised killing intent. Did you really think I wouldn't dare to touch you?
My vision started to blur, but I managed a smile, forcing the words through my constricted airway. Do it, Cassandra. Strangle me just like you watched Xander die
The mention of our son made her flinch. Her grip loosened for a fraction of a second. It was all I needed. I brought my knee up, hard, into her stomach. She gasped and released me. I staggered back, gasping for air, my throat on fire. Her bodyguards were on me in an instant, twisting my arms behind my back and forcing me to the cold marble floor.
Ross peeked out from behind Cassandra, his eyes gleaming with malice. Cassandra, are you okay? You two, make him kneel!
Cassandra straightened her clothes, her face a mask of cold fury as she looked down at me. You heard him. Ross doesnt like it when you speak from a standing position. Kneel. Apologize. And then, you will destroy the hand that touched him. Or, she paused, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper, I will mix Xanders ashes into pig feed.
Xander.
My body trembled, pinned to the floor. All I could do was stare up at her, my eyes burning with hatred. The little boy who used to call me daddy in his sweet, high-pitched voice was now just a handful of dust. And she was using him to humiliate me.
Cassandra, you dont deserve to be his mother. You dont even deserve to be human, I rasped, my voice thick with blood.
She just laughed. Human or monster, wasnt it you who chose me?
Yes. It was me who had fallen for the poor student she once was. It was me who had defied my father, given up my inheritance, and married her. It was me who had used all my familys resources to build her empire. And in return, my son was murdered, and I was thrown away like trash.
It seems youve made your choice, she said, her patience gone. She nodded to the guards. One of them grabbed my right hand. I met her dark, unreadable gaze without flinching.
Do you dare, Cassandra? I snarled.
She seemed to savor my struggle. Dare? Youre just a stray dog who couldnt make it on his own and came crawling back. Why wouldnt I dare? The Serrano family has no need for another dog, especially not a rabid one that bites its owner.
I laughed, a cold, sharp sound. But you were always my dog, Cassandra. Without me
She cut me off with another nod to her guards. My right hand was twisted inward. A sharp crack echoed in the silent room. I bit down on a scream, the pain a white-hot explosion in my head. Gasps rippled through the onlookers. Ross let out a small yelp and shrank further behind Cassandra.
Her eyes were dark as she motioned for the guards to release me. Your father is dead, Adrian. You are nothing now. You should learn to be obedient, or I can make the pain much, much worse.
Sweat beaded on my forehead. My face was pale, but my smile was twisted and defiant. You overestimate yourself, Cassandra. Compared to what you did to Xander this is nothing.
I stumbled forward, almost colliding with her, and looked up into her suddenly pale face. Do you remember the night he died? He looked at you, his eyes full of blood and tears. He died not understanding why the mother he loved would do that to him for a stranger.
Her breath hitched. Her fists clenched, the knuckles white.
Ross tried to support her, glaring at me. He was just a bastard. He deserved it.
Shut up! Cassandra roared, cutting him off.
That night, the villa was brightly lit. Xander had been brought home by her men. Ross had complained to her that our son had disrespected him by refusing to eat the food he had prepared. Cassandra hadn't even questioned the flimsy excuse. She had her men hold Xander down. And then, to appease her lover, she had torn out our sons tongue with her own hands.
When it was done, she had wiped her hands and looked down at me, saying, He wont be upsetting Ross anymore.
In that moment, my world had shattered.
Now, she looked as if shed been pushed to the edge. She shoved me away. I fell, my broken hand taking the brunt of the impact. The pain was so intense I almost blacked out. Rosss face was a mask of smug satisfaction, but he pretended to be concerned, holding Cassandra back. Cassandra, dont lower yourself to his level. He almost killed you once. Lets just go.
Her chest was heaving. She stared at me, then took a deep breath, forcing herself back into her icy composure. Adrian, for the sake of the man I once married, Ill spare your life today. This, she gestured to my hand, is your lesson. Remember, here, I am the one in charge. You will get out of this city and never come back.
She turned to leave, her arm around Ross. I watched them go, watched as Ross glanced back, a triumphant smirk on his face. I pushed myself up, leaning against a decorative pillar.
Cassandra.
My voice was quiet, but it stopped her. She didnt turn around. Still looking to die?

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