---- Chapter 17 "What's wrong with you, man?" one of his friends asked, his voice a mixture of fear and confusion. "It's just one woman. You can have any woman you want." "Yeah," another chimed in. "Just forget about her. Play the field for a while. She'll come crawling back when she realizes you don't need her." They had never understood his devotion to Joana. In their world, women were interchangeable, disposable. For years, they had envied his relationship, the genuine love he seemed to have, but at the same time, they had wanted to drag him down to their level. His affair with Kaylee had been a victory for them, proof that he was just as flawed as they were. They couldn't comprehend why he was still so consumed by grief. What was so special about Joana Scott? Hearing them speak of her so dismissively, something inside Darius snapped. He lunged across the table, grabbing another bottle and bringing it down on the man's head. He moved through the room like a storm, attacking each of his so-called friends, his movements fueled by grief and rage. When he was done, the room was littered with groaning, bleeding men. ---- "Joana is my life," he said, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "If any of you ever disrespect her again, | will destroy you and your families." The room was dead silent. No one dared to move. He turned back to his drink, his rampage over as quickly as it had begun. But one man, his face swollen and his pride wounded, seethed with resentment. He slipped out of the room and found the club manager. He pulled up a photo of Joana on his phone. "Find me a girl who looks like her," he hissed. "As many as you can find. And bring them here. Now." It didn't take long. A few minutes later, a young model who worked for the club knocked on the door of the private room. She was pushing a cart with fresh drinks. She was young, her features soft, but there was an unmistakable resemblance to Joana in the shape of her eyes and the curve of her smile. The men in the room exchanged smug, knowing glances. They gestured for her to approach Darius. This, they were sure, he would not be able to resist. "Sir," the girl said timidly. "Did you order more drinks?"