Axel's POV

"Axel!" A familiar voice cut through the darkness, dragging me back to reality. My eyes flickered open and landed on her, Dami. My Dami. Except she wasn't mine anymore.

She stood tall, elegance wrapped around her like a second skin. Her lips curved in a cold, mocking smile as her eyes pierced into me.

"If you're going to die, please do it outside my office. I don't have money for your burial," she said flatly, her heels clicking as she turned away.

For a moment, my mind went blank. Dami, the woman I once cast aside without a thought. The woman who couldn't speak a word back then now her voice was sharp, clear, and cutting. My mute ex-wife had become my new boss, the owner of both my company and my home.

I stared after her, disbelief gnawing at me. Where had she gotten the money? The bank loan I had taken was fifty million dollars. Fifty million. My entire life, my company, my house had been swallowed as collateral. Now everything was hers.

A bitter wave of regret churned in my chest. My mother and sister had pushed me into divorcing her, convincing me she was nothing. And Samantha my fiancée, the woman who bled me dry with her endless demands, had been the nail in my coffin.

Dami's voice pulled me back.

"Leave my office, Axel. Or do you want me to embarrass you in front of everyone?" Her tone sliced like a blade, her eyes flashing with the kind of fire I had never seen in her before.

"I have nowhere to go, Dami," I stammered, shame clinging to every word. "My sister said you're going to throw them out of the house. Please, don't do this."

She turned, her expression carved from ice. The softness I once knew was gone. She was a stranger now, a queen on her throne looking down on the beggar who once held her heart.

"Don't you dare call me Dami. It's Miss winter to you," she snapped.

Her name, her new name, hung heavy in the air, a reminder that she had shed her old self, the one who used to love me.

I swallowed my pride and nodded. "Miss Winter, maybe we can settle this.."

Her brow arched, lips curling with cruel amusement. "Settle? Do you want me to offer you a job?"

The words burned, but I managed to nod. My stomach twisted at the humiliation, but without her, I was nothing.

She leaned forward slightly, her voice smooth but laced with venom.

"The only position I can offer you is that of my driver. You'll open doors for me, run errands, and stand by when I need something. That's all a man like you is worth now."

A mocking smile spread across her lips as she watched the color drain from my face.

My pride screamed at me. I was Axel, the man who once owned this empire, who once had it all. Now she wanted me to parade as her servant? My staff would laugh, the whispers already snaking through the building.

"A driver?" My voice cracked with disbelief. "Do you know how that will look? What do you want them to think that their former boss is now nothing but a chauffeur?"

Her smile widened, wicked and triumphant. "Careful, Axel. I can have you thrown out this instant. This company is mine now, and I'll do whatever I please. Do you accept my generous offer or not?"

Her words left me cornered, stripped bare. My pride had already been shattered, this was just another blow. With clenched fists and a bitter taste in my mouth, I whispered, "I accept."

"Brilliant." Her voice was laced with cruel satisfaction. "Report tomorrow at eight. Don't be late."

I held back the tears burning behind my eyes as she dismissed me with a wave of her hand. Grabbing my phone, I forced myself to walk out, her cold gaze searing into my back.

The stares of my staff pierced me as I left. Pity, mockery and shock. Maya, the receptionist, gave me a look that twisted the knife deeper. Word spread fast, the mighty Axel had fallen.

By the time I reached home, my chest was heavy with humiliation. My mother and sister were waiting, their faces stormy.

"Axel! How could you?" My mother's voice thundered, rage trembling in every syllable.

My patience snapped. "How could I? You brought this upon us! You pushed me to divorce her. You and Samantha drained me, bled me until there was nothing left!"

"Shut your mouth!" she spat. "Did I tell you to take a loan? Did I tell you to use your property as collateral?"

"Yes, you might as well have!" My voice rose, raw with fury. "You, Samantha, and Alexa destroyed everything. Do you know how much you spend on shopping every week? Do you realize how recklessly you live while I fight to keep us afloat? Now look at us. Look at me!"

Alexa stepped in quickly, her voice softer but edged with fear. "Arguing won't fix this. The damage is done. What's the next step?"

I sagged into the chair, defeated. "There is no step. She owns everything now. The company, the house and everything."

"What?" My mother's face drained of color. Alexa's lips parted in shock.

"We're at her mercy," I said quietly. "Until I find a way to rebuild, I have no choice but to obey her."

"This isn't just revenge," Mom whispered, horror lacing her words. "She's destroying us."

I shook my head. "She didn't destroy us. Without her, strangers would own all of it. She saved it, in her own way."

But deep down, I knew. This wasn't salvation but it was punishment.

"She's going to throw us out. She said she would," Alexa murmured, panic in her voice

.

Silence fell, thick and suffocating. My chest tightened with regret, memories of the woman I had once held close gnawing at me. If I had known she would rise like this, if I had known what she would become...

"We'll have to convince her," Alexa said suddenly, determination hardening her voice. "You have to make her fall in love with you again. That's the only way."

Her words hit me like a blow. Love. Was it survival I wanted or did I still crave the woman I had lost?

I closed my eyes, the weight of it pressing down on me. Perhaps Alexa was right. Perhaps the only way to reclaim my life... was to reclaim Dami.

Dami's POV

The morning had drained me. The smiles, handshakes, and polite greetings. Thankfully, Sophia would be the one handling most of the heavy office work. My role was to rule from the shadows.

"I'm starving," Sophia groaned, clutching her belly.

I laughed softly, agreeing because I was hungry too. "Let's go eat."

"Finally." She grinned, already grabbing her bag.

As we walked out, the receptionist bowed slightly. Sophia leaned close, whispering, "They're all so nice here. Oh, and I've spotted someone. He is so cute. Like dangerously cute."

I narrowed my eyes, shaking my head. "Already? We've been here one day."

She shrugged with a grin.

"Relationships between staff and bosses are off limits," I warned.

"That rule," she smirked slyly, "It will never hold."

"Why not?" I challenged.

She didn't miss a beat. "Your ex-husband, Axel. I saw the tension between you both."

I froze mid-step, my lips tightening. "Nothing will ever happen between us again," I whispered, almost to myself.

Sophia gave me a knowing look. "Three years and no one else. You're still tethered to him, whether you admit it or not."

I ignored her, but my pulse quickened.

By the time we pulled up to an elegant restaurant, I had buried the thought. Inside, the scent of garlic and rich wine wrapped around me.

"Good evening, ladies. What may I serve you?" The waiter's smile was charming, but Sophia didn't waste time.

"A bottle of red wine and two plates of pasta," She ordered.

I smiled faintly. Pasta, my weakness.

The music was low, sultry, filling the air. I was about to take my first bite when I saw him.

My fork stilled. Across the room sat a man whose profile was hauntingly familiar. Axel's jawline, Axel's posture yet different. His hair was darker, longer, and his aura was darker, sharper, almost dangerous.

Sophia followed my gaze, and her eyes widened. "What the hell? Does Axel have a twin?"

"Half-brother," I corrected softly, memories stirring. "Born minutes apart. They hate each other."

Sophia's voice dropped. "What are you thinking?"

I smirked. "I'm going to talk to him."

"Why?"

"Because he's perfect for my next move," I replied.

Her eyes shot wide. "You can't possibly.."

"I want him to be mine," I cut in, my voice cold, laced with thrill.

Sophia hissed, "That's insane. I don't approve."

I patted her hand with a playful pout. "It's just a game, Sophia. Let me have my fun."

I rose, fixing my jumpsuit, steadying my breath. As I approached him, his eyes lifted, sharp and calculating.

"Well," he drawled, a half smile curving his lips. "To what do I owe the attention of such a beautiful stranger?"

I leaned against his table with a practiced smile. "Dami Winter."

His brow lifted. Recognition flickered. "Axel's wife?"

"Ex-wife," I corrected.

That one word softened his expression into a grin. "Doman." He extended his hand. His grip was firm, his eyes lingering on mine longer than necessary. "I've heard enough about you recently to know you're dangerous."

I tilted my head. "Good. Then you won't be surprised by what I'm about to say."

"And what's that?" His tone was amused, cautious.

I met his gaze without blinking. "I want you to be my boyfriend."

He stared at me. Then he chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "That's bold. Even for you."

"Is it a yes?" I asked sweetly.

"No." His answer was sharp. "I don't play toy games. Especially not ones involving my half brother."

I leaned in, lowering my voice. "This isn't a game. It's revenge. Axel ruined me. Now, I'm going to ruin him. Piece by piece. Heart first."

For a moment, Doman's smirk faltered. His eyes darkened, studying me like he was peeling back my soul. "Do you even realize what you're asking?" he said slowly. "If I touch you, Axel will come for me with everything he has left. You'll drag me into his war."

"Good," I whispered, lips curling. "Let him burn."

Silence. His jaw clenched, his gaze lingering on me, torn between reason and temptation. Finally, he laughed softly, bitterly. "You're insane."

"And yet," I smiled, "you're tempted."

His eyes swept over me, and I knew I had him. Still, he shook his head. "I don't share beds with women seeking revenge. I take what I want, when I want. If I say yes, it's not for Axel. It's for me."

"Then take me," I whispered, the words dripping like honey.

Something flickered in his eyes like desire, challenge, danger. He reached out, brushing his thumb across my knuckles. His touch sent a shiver up my arm.

"Fine," he said finally, voice low, almost a growl. "But when this explodes, don't pretend you weren't warned."

The deal was sealed. By the time we returned to the house, his hand in mine, I could feel Sophia's eyes boring holes in my back. But I didn't care. The thrill pulsed through me.

The door swung open, and there he was.

Axel. His mother and Alexa froze beside him. His eyes darted instantly to my hand in Doman's. The fury in his gaze could have set fire to the walls.

"What the hell are you doing here, Doman?" Axel's voice was a low snarl, trembling with rage.

I smirked. "Don't talk to my boyfriend like that. He deserves respect. He's also your boss now."

Axel's head snapped toward me, disbelief and fury warring on his face. "Your what?"

Doman tightened his grip on my hand, his eyes gleaming with wicked delight. "Her man," he declared, smirking directly at Axel. "Which makes me untouchable. What are you going to do about it, brother?"

Axel's face went scarlet, veins pulsing at his temple. He took a step forward, fists clenched. "She's my wife," he roared, the words ripping from his chest like a wounded animal. "Mine! You have no right!"

The room froze. Even the air seemed to shudder. My heart hammered violently. Wife? The word hung in the silence like a blade about to drop. And I knew.. this was only the beginning.

Dami's POV

"Your wife? Is this man crazy or something?" Doman asked, one brow arching in a mixture of disbelief and challenge. His voice was deep with a dangerous edge.

Axel's fists clenched at his sides, the veins in his neck stood out, his jaw ticking as if he might explode. The heat in his eyes was pure rage.

Something fluttered low in my stomach when Axel called me his. The flash in his eyes had been almost familiar. For one brief heartbeat, the old Axel was there. I shook it off before it could soften me.

Doman's hand slid around mine. It was warm, firm and possessive. I pulled my mask back on.

"I'm not your wife. I'm your ex wife, you fool. Did you forget? We're divorced, and you don't get to disrespect my man!" I snapped.

Axel's shoulders dropped, his head bowed. Watching him sink into shame sent a dark thrill through me. He deserved every moment of this.

"You heard her," Doman said, his tone smooth but stern. "You don't get to disrespect me, Axel." Then he turned back to me, his eyes softening as though we shared a private joke.

"What's he even doing here? Why do you want to keep him and his miserable family under this roof?" he asked.

I crossed the room and sat on the couch, spine straight, forcing myself not to stare at Doman's eyes. "What are you looking at?" I snapped at Alexa, catching her gaze. "Get me a drink and prepare something to eat. Sophia, supervise them. I don't trust these people."

They scattered at once. When I turned back to Doman, a smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it. "He's working for me now. That's how he'll suffer for everything he's done."

"You're a clever woman," Doman said, winking. His wink wasn't boyish, it was a slow and deliberate spark, the kind that made my pulse skip. "That's what excites me."

Alexa brought the drinks. I handed one to Doman, our fingers brushing. His touch lingered a bit too long, heat licked up my arm. He sipped slowly, watching me over the rim of his glass.

"There's more to come," I murmured, letting my eyes meet his. He leaned back, shirt riding up enough to reveal a shadow of ink on his skin. "You have a tattoo?" I asked, surprised.

He nearly choked on his drink and set it down, clearing his throat. "How did you know?"

"Your shirt rose up." I tilted my head, eyes catching his. "What kind of tattoo? Let me see clearly."

Doman hesitated. His discomfort was obvious, but after a while he lifted the fabric to reveal the ink. It was a gun and skull sprawled across his stomach."I got this for fun. Nothing serious," he said quickly.

I shrugged, though inside my pulse quickened. Tattoos didn't scare me, i worked for a mafia lord for three years. But Doman's tattoo wasn't just a mark, it was a warning. And yet, instead of fear, I felt a strange pull toward him.

"I have to attend to some things," he said, standing. "I'll be back before dinner. Need to grab some of my clothes."

"Alright then. That's fine by me. You have my number, call me if you can't make it back like you said."

He smiled, that smile was trouble. I walked him to the door, aware of the warmth of his presence beside me. At the door he brushed kisses over both my cheeks soft, and deliberate. My breath caught before I could hide it.

When the door shut, Axel was there blocking my path. His face was flushed, his fists tight and his eyes burning with jealous.

"Dami," he muttered.

I scoffed. "Boss, my brother is very dangerous," Axel said, his voice low but shaking. "You don't have to do this to get back at me. Punish me any other way, but playing with my brother will put all of us in danger."

I crossed my arms over my chest, tilting my head. "First of all, Axel, you're only entitled to speak to me when I tell you. And second, you have no business in my affairs. I choose to do whatever I want. If you're not comfortable, you can leave."

His knuckles whitened and he looked away, breathing hard. I could almost taste his jealousy. I didn't care. This was just the beginning.

In the kitchen Sophia was on her phone instead of watching the cooking.

"I told you I don't trust these people. Our food could be poisoned, Sophia," I scolded.

She rolled her eyes and stood up. "They won't. We'll eat from it together. I'm so tired," she groaned.

"I don't care. You're not leaving this kitchen until they're done," I ordered, making her mutter under her breath.

Upstairs, the master bedroom hit me like a ghost. Our room. Memories rose, how Axel and I married, how he took my virginity. He was loving, caring and intentional then. Now everything had rotted because of his selfish mistakes. I felt no remorse because he deserved far worse.

My boxes of clothes were already there, so I changed into a white baggy shirt and shorts. Exhaustion weighed on me, but beneath it was a restless spark. Doman's tattoo, Axel's warning, the company's future. The dots connected, yet Doman didn't feel dangerous to me. Not yet.

He was on my side. He had no reason to harm me.

The door opened, pulling me from my thoughts. Sophia walked in with a huge sigh. "You've changed your outfit," she said, joining me on the bed.

"Yes. Are they through with the cooking?" I asked. She nodded.

Her eyes met mine, serious now. "I think adding Doman to this game plan will be disastrous. We can do this alone. You've already done the worst thing you can do to this man. He has nothing left. That's enough revenge. I don't like Doman. Dami, are you sure you really know who you're letting into your life? I just don't think.." She hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"I hope we don't regret this..." Her words trailed off, heavy with warning.