The Devil Who Claimed Me

When Mila stepped out of the apartment building, she spotted Lara waiting outside the gate.

"Mila!" The moment Lara saw her, she rushed over.

"Are you okay?" she asked anxiously. "Did that bastard hurt you again?"

Mila shook her head. "No," she murmured tiredly. "Just take me away."

Worry clouded Lara’s eyes, but she nodded and led her toward the car parked by the roadside.

After placing the suitcase in the trunk, she got behind the wheel and glanced at Mila, who was already seated in the passenger seat.

"I spoke with the lawyer," Lara said as she started the car. "The divorce papers will be ready soon. Max violated the terms of the contract, so obtaining the divorce shouldn’t be difficult."

"Hmm," Mila hummed softly. Yet uneasiness lingered in her chest.

She couldn’t forget Max’s warning.

If anyone discovered that the child she carried belonged to Dominic, his enemies would come after them without hesitation.

Lara studied her quietly. "Aren’t you happy?" she asked. "You can finally leave that meaningless marriage."

Happy? How could she be happy?

The man she loved wasn’t by her side.

Mila turned to her and forced a faint smile. "I’m relieved," she said. "Thank you for helping me."

Lara’s tense shoulders relaxed slightly. "You are my friend. Of course I’ll help you. Stay with me until the baby is born."

"No." Mila rejected the suggestion immediately. "I don’t want to trouble you."

Lara frowned. "You are pregnant. You need someone to take care of you."

Mila knew that. But she refused to drag Lara into her troubles again.

The last time, Lara had nearly lost her life because of her. She wouldn’t repeat the mistake. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"I’m a doctor," Mila said. "I know how to take care of myself. Besides, the Vega family still has housekeepers and servants. They’ll look after me."

Lara’s expression stiffened. "What if your father, stepmother, and stepsister come back to cause trouble?"

"Let them." Mila’s voice was calm and blunt. "I’ve already cut all ties with them. They have no claim over me or my property. If they harass me, I’ll take legal action."

Lara sighed. "I know you can handle them. But I’m still worried. They hate you. They are waiting for a chance to hurt you."

Mila turned her gaze toward the passing scenery outside the window. She knew they would come. She knew they would try to hurt her. But she wasn’t afraid.

Part of her even hoped Dominic would appear if he learned she was in danger.

This was her final gamble, her final attempt to draw him out of the shadows.

"Don’t worry," she said. "If necessary, I’ll hire bodyguards."

"Fine." Lara finally relented. "But call me immediately if you need anything. I’ll come running."

Mila smiled gratefully. She still had people she could rely on.

"Now focus on driving," she said. "I’m starving."

Lara laughed. "Then let’s get something to eat first."

The car soon disappeared into the traffic.

Later that night...

Mila finally finished unpacking. Exhausted, she sat down on the edge of the bed.

Her legs were swollen and aching badly. For a moment, she considered calling the housekeeper and asking for hot water.

Then she glanced at the clock.

"It’s too late," she muttered. "She is probably asleep already."

With a sigh, she lay down. Her thoughts drifted back to Dominic.

Back then, danger followed them everywhere. Every day had been filled with uncertainty. They never knew when an enemy would appear or when disaster would strike.

Yet despite all of that, she had been happy. Because Dominic had been beside her.

Now her life was comparatively peaceful. No one was chasing her. No one was threatening her. Yet her heart felt emptier than ever.

The peace she had once desperately wanted now felt unbearably lonely.

A wave of sadness washed over her.

She missed him. She missed his voice, his scent, his warmth. She missed the way he cared for her whenever she was sick, the way he stayed awake through the night just to watch over her, and the way he comforted her whenever she was upset.

Back then, she had never truly been alone. Now she was.

A lone tear slid down her cheek. "Dominic," she whispered. "I miss you so much. My legs are aching again."

A bittersweet smile touched her lips. "Can you come massage them for me?"

For a moment, she foolishly hoped he would hear her, that he would appear just as he always had. But the room remained silent, cold, and empty.

Dominic wasn’t there. And he wasn’t coming.

More tears slipped from beneath her closed eyelids.

"Dominic..."

Gradually, exhaustion pulled her into sleep.

In her dream, Dominic appeared beside her bed. His large hands gently massaged her aching legs. His fingers moved skillfully over her sore muscles, easing the pain.

Almost immediately, relief spread through her body.

A smile curved her lips. "It feels so good," she murmured. "Dominic."

The moment his name left her mouth, the hands stopped moving.

Her smile faltered. "Why did you stop?" she asked softly.

And suddenly, her eyes snapped open.

The warmth on her legs remained. For a brief moment, she thought she was still dreaming. Then she noticed a shadowy figure sitting beside her bed beneath the dim bedside lamp.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she sat up. Fear shot through her body.

She almost screamed. But then she froze.

The silhouette looked familiar, far too familiar.

Her heart skipped a beat. "Dominic?"

A radiant smile instantly appeared on her face.

Finally, he had come back.

"Is it really you?"

The man slowly lifted his head.

Under the dim light, she saw a thick beard covering his jaw and a pair of thick-rimmed glasses resting on his nose.

Recognition flashed through her mind.

It was the same man who had rescued her from that lunatic at the party.

The smile on her face disappeared. The joy in her chest vanished just as quickly.

"Who are you?" she demanded, panic rising in her voice. "How did you get in here?"

The man smiled. "A moment ago, you were happy to see me." His voice was low and amused. "Now you don’t want me here?"

The moment she heard that voice, her entire body trembled.

She knew it. She would recognize it even after a lifetime.

Tears instantly blurred her vision. "Dominic..."

Her voice broke into a sob. "It’s you. It’s really you."

He leaned closer. The familiar cedar scent wrapped around her.

The same cologne. The same scent she had missed countless times.

She stared into his eyes.

They were green now. Nothing like Dominic’s dark eyes.

Yet her heart had already recognized him long before her mind did. He had changed his appearance. But he was still Dominic.

"Take a closer look at me," he said in his familiar deep voice.

His gaze locked onto hers. "Do you still think I’m the man you’ve been waiting for?"