The Devil Who Claimed Me

At the clinic...

Remy examined Serene’s injury, his expression darkening. "This is serious," he said under his breath, working quickly to control the bleeding.

The bullet had gone straight through her hand, leaving a hole. Blood kept pouring out from the wound, soaking the gauze almost instantly.

"How serious?" Valentina asked with concern.

Remy shot her a brief look. "She needs immediate hospital care. If this isn’t treated properly, she might lose proper function in her hand... or worse, she could lose it entirely."

Serene’s face drained of color. "Do something," she cried, panic rising in her voice. "I don’t want to lose my hand."

"I’m doing everything I can," Remy replied, focused and tense.

"I’ll arrange transport to the hospital," Valentina said quickly before rushing out.

Serene’s chest rose and fell quickly, her breathing uneven. She watched Remy bandage her hand.

"You must be happy, don’t you?" she muttered, flashing a bitter smile. "I am like this, but your so-called friend is safe and sound."

Remy paused and looked at her. "I am a doctor. And my duty is to take care of the patients. Stop thinking unnecessary things."

"Cut the act," she snapped. "I know you are happy in your heart. Yes... I hate Mila. I wanted to destroy her, kill her."

She trembled, rage and pain mixing in her expression. "But I got injured. I wanted to destroy her hand. And look at me."

She let out a bitter laugh, looking at her bleeding hand. "I am the one who is ruined. What an irony."

She mocked at herself, but tears gathered in her eyes. "The man I loved shot me. He didn’t care about me at all."

She laughed. But her laughter transformed into sobs.

"He hates me now. Everyone hates me..."

Remy had sympathy for her, but his expression remained impassive. "You know what your problem is... You refused to see the truth. Three years is enough to change someone. Feelings changed. Dominic moved on. His love for you faded over time. He found someone. You should have accepted it. But you became hostile toward Mila."

"So you are saying I am wrong?" she hissed. "Wanting my man back is wrong?"

"You can’t force someone to love you back. You should learn to let go."

Serene sneered. "What about you, Doctor? Don’t you love Mila? Don’t you want her? Can you let her go and watch her with Dominic?"

Remy chuckled. "I do like her. But I respect her decision. Her happiness matters more than what I want. If she is happy with Dominic, I’ll never stand between them."

Serene scoffed scornfully. "You think you are noble by sacrificing your love. You are deceiving yourself. But I am not like you. I am honest with my feelings, not like you. In reality, you are a coward. You are afraid to fight for what’s yours."

Remy looked at her coldly. "This is the difference between us. You want to own him, to keep him only for yourself. But I don’t want to possess her. I want her to be free."

"You..." Serene wanted to snap at him. But Valentina appeared and silenced her.

"Let’s go. The boat is ready."

"A boat?" Serene exclaimed. "Why a boat? Why not the helicopter?"

"Dominic already took it," Valentina replied. "Let’s go, Serene. Don’t waste time."

She carefully helped Serene up and led her out.

Remy stood there, watching them leave. He let out a small sigh of relief. "Thank goodness Dominic arrived on time and saved Mila," he mumbled under his breath.

Later that day...

Mila was resting in her room when a knock broke her slumber.

She rose from the bed and went to open the door, only to freeze in her place.

Valentina stood outside, her clothes stained with dirt and blood, her hair disheveled. She looked messy.

Mila blinked as she stared at her.

For the first time, there was no arrogance in her gaze. Instead, there was regret and guilt.

Mila couldn’t look away from her.

"I..." Valentina started, but her words faltered. "I sent Serene to the hospital. She was losing too much blood. Remy said it was serious."

Mila tilted her head slightly. "Why are you telling me this? Trying to make me feel guilty?"

Valentina shook her head. Before she could explain, Mila spoke.

"You were about to disable me. You wouldn’t hesitate to ruin me completely. If Dominic had not appeared on time, I would be the one lying wounded in that cold, damp dungeon."

Valentina’s mouth remained open, but she couldn’t utter a word.

"I told you the truth," Mila continued. "None of you believed me. You all wanted to execute me. And here you are, telling me about Serene’s injury. Are you expecting me to feel bad for her?"

Mila squared her shoulders. "I have no sympathy for her."

"I know you are upset," Valentina said. "I am not asking for sympathy. I am just..." She faltered again. The word ’sorry’ wasn’t coming out of her mouth. But she forced it out.

"I wanted to apologize to you." She hung her head down.

Mila gaped at her, startled. "What did you say?"

She couldn’t believe a proud woman like Valentina would apologize to her and bowed her head in front of her.

"Is this another trick of yours?" Mila asked suspiciously. "What game are you playing now?"

"I am not playing any games," replied Valentina. "I am genuinely sorry. You were helping Dominic, and I suspected you. I almost killed you."

The regret was evident in her voice.

"You said everything, but I refused to believe you," she added. "I let my hatred blind me. I didn’t pause to reconsider. I didn’t think of verifying it."

She lifted her eyes at Mila, guilt flickering in them. "I am really sorry. Could you forgive me?"

Mila’s eyebrows creased as she stared at her. Though she could see her sincerity, doubts still lingered in her heart. She wouldn’t trust her easily.

"Stay out of my way," Mila said flatly. "Don’t trouble me again. That’s enough."

"I promise," Valentina said. "I won’t trouble you anymore."

Mila held her gaze a moment longer, wondering whether to trust her or not. Just then, a guard rushed in.

"Miss," he called her with urgency lacing her tone.

Mila turned to him. Her frown deepened as she sensed the tension in his posture.

"What is it?"

"Come with me. It’s urgent."

"Where?" Mila asked, dread settling in her chest. She thought he was taking her to the dungeon again.

"Boss needs you," he replied, his expression turning solemn.

"What’s the matter?" Valentina asked, sensing something off. "How is he?"

The guard looked at her, worry clouding his eyes. "Lucas was shot. He is critical."