Between Bruises and Butterflies

CUT TO: SCHOOL PARKING LOT — EVENING

Damien stands by his bike, jaw clenched so tightly it aches. The echo of his father's voice from the last phone call pounds in his head like a war drum.

He found out. His father had been talking to Sienna.

And whatever was said — whatever broke her — it's ripping him apart.

Sienna had been slipping through his fingers for weeks, and now he knows why.

CUT TO: MONTEMAYOR MANSION — NIGHT

Damien storms into the house, shoes echoing on the marble floor. His chest burns with rage, breathing erratic as he searches for his father.

He finds him in the study, sitting by the fireplace, a glass of scotch in hand. The flames flicker, casting jagged shadows across his face.

DAMIEN: (voice shaking) What did you say to her?

The Chairman doesn't flinch. He sips his drink, placing the glass down with deliberate care.

CHAIRMAN: (coolly) Good evening to you too.

DAMIEN: (louder) Don't play games with me! Why the hell are you talking to Sienna?

The Chairman leans back in his chair, studying Damien like he's a puzzle he already solved.

CHAIRMAN: (calm) I simply gave her some... perspective.

Damien's fists curl at his sides, fingernails digging into his skin.

DAMIEN: (growling) Perspective? She's breaking herself apart, and you think you did her a favor?

The Chairman rises slowly, fixing his cuffs like this conversation is beneath him.

CHAIRMAN: She understood her place.

DAMIEN: (snapping) Her place?!

He takes a step forward, but his father doesn't move. Doesn't even blink.

CHAIRMAN: (cold) I told her what she needed to hear. For your sake.

Damien's chest caves in. His father's words dig under his skin like knives.

DAMIEN: (voice cracking) If you cared about me at all, you'd stay out of my life.

The Chairman smiles — but it's empty, hollow.

CHAIRMAN: (quiet) One day, you'll thank me.

Damien shakes his head, a bitter laugh escaping his throat.

DAMIEN: (broken) I can't even look at you.

He turns to leave, heart thudding so loudly it drowns out the crackle of the fire.

But before he reaches the door —

CHAIRMAN: (softly) She's better off without you.

Damien freezes.

The words pierce straight through his ribs, splintering something deep and irreparable.

He doesn't turn back.

He just walks out.

CUT TO: DAMIEN'S APARTMENT — LATER THAT NIGHT

Damien sits on the floor, back against the wall. His chest heaves as he clutches a photo of him and Sienna from their first art class together.

Tears blur his vision, but he doesn't wipe them away.

He lets them fall.

DAMIEN: (whispering) Why didn't you tell me?

The room swallows his voice, silence pressing in like a suffocating weight.

And for the first time in years, Damien feels completely — utterly — alone.

TO BE CONTINUED...