The Devil Who Claimed Me

There was no remorse, no hesitation in him. That terrified her more than anything else.

"You think I’ll just accept this," her voice broke as tears welled up in her eyes, "that I’ll just adjust to your world like it’s normal."

A dull ache spread through his chest as he saw tears in her eyes. But he couldn’t soften right now.

"Careful," he warned.

But she didn’t stop. "I’d rather take my chances out there than stay here with you."

That made him lose control. In an instant, his hand shot up, gripping her chin. His other arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer to his chest.

Mila gasped. She tried to wriggle out of his grip, but he held her tightly.

"Take your chances?" he repeated in a grave tone, his face inches away from hers.

Mila’s breathing trembled. She was terrified of him. But she kept staring into his eyes, not showing her weakness.

"You think you understand what is out there," he continued, eyes burning. "You think walking out here is freedom. You are wrong. Once you set foot outside, you will die."

Mila stubbornly struggled against him. "Anything is better than this," she shot back, not caring about the danger he was saying. I’d rather die than stay locked here a prisoner."

The words slipped out of her mouth unfiltered.

For a moment, everything seemed to stop. Dominic didn’t move. He didn’t blink. It seemed as if he didn’t even breathe. But his grip remained tight.

"You don’t know what you are talking about," he started slowly. "This is not courage. It’s recklessness. If you keep thinking like this, you will fall into great danger. Don’t think about getting out of here if you want to live."

The warning sent a chill down her spine. But Mila, with her stubborn nature, refused to yield. She wouldn’t stay in his prison.

"I know you are dangerous. Your enemies are deadly. Staying here doesn’t make me safe. If they are after you, they will come here as well. You can’t protect me forever."

"So you think you will be safer outside?" he sneered.

"At least, I’ll have a chance. I can go to the authorities. There are laws to protect people. I don’t need your protection. I don’t have to be locked here to stay alive."

Dominic found her excuse ridiculous. "You don’t get it, do you? The moment you step out of here, you are dead. No authorities can save you. In this city, law bends to power. The people out there are far more dangerous than you can ever imagine."

The words struck deep. Mila stilled. Something fragile cracked in her expression. Her determination to leave this place started to waver. She realized life wouldn’t be like before, even if she escaped.

Fresh tears welled up in her eyes. Her life had been simple. It was messy, yes – but it was hers. She had built something for herself. She had earned her name in the field of medicine and learned to stay happy by focusing on her profession.

And now – everything was gone because of one incident, because of him.

If she had not met him that night, none of this would have happened.

"I regret it," she muttered, blinking her tears away. "I regret saving you."

The words were barely above a whisper. But they hit him like bullets. Dominic felt a suffocating tightness across his chest.

"If I had known this is what you would do to me, I would have left you there."

He went rigid. A ringing filled his ears. Everything around him blurred. All he could see was the raw pain in her eyes.

His composure cracked. His grip around her loosened completely. But he didn’t move back.

"Don’t say that." His voice shook slightly.

"I said it." Her own heart ached, but she didn’t show it.

"You are lying. You don’t mean that."

Mila’s throat tightened. Deep down, she knew she didn’t mean it. But she was angry with him. She wanted him to release her. She desperately wished him to understand how suffocating it was for her to be trapped here.

"You are not that kind of person," Dominic continued, refusing to accept whatever she had said. "Saving life is your duty. That’s who you are. You don’t regret doing it. You said that because you are upset with me."

That only made her angrier. "Stop acting as if you know me."

"I know enough."

"Then you should know this," she barked, pushing against him. "Right now, I hate you."

Dominic’s nostrils flared. A storm raged within him. He pushed her back against the headboard. "Say it again."

Mila frowned, thrown off.

"Say it again," he repeated fiercely, eyes locking with hers.

"I hate you," she forced the words out.

A dangerous silence followed.

Dominic exhaled, a deadly intent flashing behind his eyes. "Then hate me. You are not leaving. You will stay here with me whether you like it or not.

"You are unbelievable."

Before she could finish her words, he smacked his lips against hers, hard, unrestrained.

It wasn’t a kiss. It was an eruption. All his frustration, anger, possessiveness, and the insecurity she had carved into him with her words – everything poured into that single, brutal moment.

"Stop...mm..." Mila pushed against him. But her protest was swallowed.

He didn’t listen. He didn’t stop. Her resistance only made him kiss harder, his hand pressing firmer against her waist, locking her in place.

The kiss turned even more violent with each passing second; his lips moved against hers with punishing force.

Mila twisted her head, trying to break free. Dominic followed, refusing to let her escape. His fingers tugged at her dress.

Fear spiked through her. "Dominic, stop."

Her movement grew frantic. This time, she shoved him with everything she had.

The force broke the moment. Without hesitation, Mila raised her hand and slapped him.

Dominic’s head turned with the force of it.

Everything quieted down. Even the air seemed to freeze at that moment.

Her chest heaved, her lips throbbing, her entire body shaking. Her anger burned, but only for a second. An overwhelming emotion took hold of her heart.

Her fingers curled slowly. Tears spilled over. A quiet sob escaped her throat, then another and another. She started sobbing uncontrollably.

Dominic didn’t move. He didn’t speak. The sting on his cheek still burned. But it was nothing compared to what was happening inside him.

Something that looked dangerously close to regret flickered across his face.

’What have I just done?’ he scolded himself inwardly.

He dared to look at her.

Mila curled in on herself, crying, shaking. She looked terrified, and it was all because of him.

A sharp, suffocating pressure gripped his chest. He wanted to say sorry to her, but the words didn’t come out of his mouth. Unable to keep watching her cry, he got off the bed and stormed out of the room.

"You bastard," Mila choked out. "All men are the same – liars, cheaters. You forced yourself on me. You are no different from Ethan. I hate you."