Femme Fatale: The King's Deadly Temptress

There's something cathartic about staring at the man, whom you thought was family but also killed your father, in the eye while squeezing the life out of them. The same man who ironically stood as a father figure.

Those who had encountered a near-death experience had said that their life flashed before them. Damien found it strange that he saw his life flash before him, but he was the one choking his uncle. But the images that flashed in his mind were a mixture of painful, sad, and happy memories from being born as a Park.

His strong arm shook, and the large hand that was around Frederick's neck was pale compared to his uncle's skin that was turning dark red to bluish from the oxygen being cut off. Damien wasn't giving all his strength yet, though he could easily crush the other's throat if he exerted a little bit more force. Frederick began thrashing.

He was so tempted to end everything right then, but the thought of Nana made him loosen his grip. Damien shoved Frederick away at the same time that William placed his hands on Damien's shoulders to pull him off the other.

Frederick fell to the floor with a loud thud. He sputtered and gasped, desperate to breathe in air as the color on his face slowly returned to normal.

Damien harshly jabbed a finger toward Frederick. "You keep telling yourself you didn't mean it. Keep living in that denial because that's what's going to keep you up at night. Mark my words, Frederick. You will pay for this until the day you die. And I hope to fuck you will live a long life of suffering."

Reluctantly, Damien turned around and got out of the basement. He rushed out of the house in long strides, his breathing heavy and seemingly not enough no matter how much he inhaled. His vision spun as he leaned against the side of the house, and in the next second, he bent over and hurled. One could only take so much pressure before they lost composure.

"Boss. Are you okay?" One of the guards came up to him and handed him a paper towel and a bottle of water.

Loosening the tie around his neck, he took the towel and water and waved the guard away. He needed some time for himself to…not think; but just a time alone.

All this time he thought that once he'd found out the truth about his father's death, he'd be happier. He'd finally feel free. He'd finally put an end to that frustrating chase. But what the fuck was that? He didn't feel anywhere near happy or free. There was still that emptiness in his chest that had been there since his father's death, and now he thought that would never go away no matter what.

'Wasn't this supposed to end things, Dad? How come it doesn't feel like it? Why do I feel as though I'm still missing something?' Damien thought. The hollow in his chest still felt caved in.

The truth had been known. What now?

Footsteps came from the side and when Damien turned his head, he saw William striding toward him while taking out a stick of cigarette from a pack and then lighting it up. William's knuckles are busted and bloodied, a clear indication that he'd gone to town on Frederick during the time he was down there.

Damien tossed the half-full water bottle toward William, the latter catching it effortlessly with one hand. They exchanged knowing glances but neither of them spoke, reveling in the wretched stillness that they shared.

It was William who broke the silence first. "You're right. He can't die yet. He has to pay for it."

Damien nodded, his jaw clenching at what he was about to say next. "We need to tell Nana."

Taking a long drag of his cigarette, William puffed the smoke into the air. Then he let out an exhausted sigh as he stepped on the butt of the cigarette on the ground, nodding in agreement.

Initially, Damien thought that he could hide it from his grandmother. She didn't deserve the pain that her husband and her son caused, but she had to know the truth. The lies would just hurt more if kept hidden, and with the things that they needed to deal with in the coming days, informing Nana would be essential.

:crown::crown::crown:

Telling Nana was such an uncomfortable—no, a painful thing to do. William and Damien went to the Park mansion and talked to her for a long time. She sat there and they got to witness the different emotions crossing her face as they told her about Lawrence's death and William being her husband's son. It was hard to watch the older woman suffer and mourn while listening to the dark tale she never asked for but needed to hear.

Maybe they could've spared her the truth. Maybe they should've let her live the rest of her life without getting hurt by it. The only thing they didn't tell her was about her husband's constant womanizing behavior and bringing his mistresses to that cabin. Maybe it was wrong to keep that from her, but Damien and William agreed that she didn't have to know that. That her husband having a child with another woman was already a hard-enough pill to swallow.

They could feel what Nana felt as she cried and grieved for the people she lost as if she had to bury them again. Damien was afraid that she'd pass out, so they brought her up to her bedroom to rest and made sure someone was watching her after they left.

After what seemed like a long day, they decided to call a board meeting the following morning. It was time to set things straight.

That night, Damien came home to find Katherine sitting by herself at the dining table with only warm lights above her while the rest of the lights around were dimmed. She wore a red silk night dress underneath a matching robe, her hair damp and hung in loose curls down her shoulders.

Katherine held a steaming mug in her hands as she stared at nothing in particular as if she was in deep thoughts.

However, as soon as Damien stepped through the threshold, she looked up and a soft smile graced her lips. She looked very much like a goddess with divine beauty, even while dressed down. "You're home."

He laid a kiss on the top of her head, catching the hint of lavender on her and jasmine from the tea in the mug. He took the seat beside her. "You okay?"

"Yeah. How was your day?" Katherine caressed his cheek and then slid her fingers to the back of his head, lazily massaging him there.

"Long." Damien studied her face, looking for traces of anything that could explain why she was looking so pensive. He'd called her earlier that day and told her about what happened in the morning with Frederick and in the afternoon with Nana. She was busy at work the whole day and so was he, so they couldn't meet for dinner. But he missed her the whole time, so he tried really hard to go home as soon as he could. "What are you doing here in the dark?"

It takes her a moment to answer, but when she did, she sounded conclusive. "I've already decided what to do with Deborah."