The Devil Who Claimed Me

Mila remained silent.

"Accept your situation, this place, and this life. It will be easier for you." Valentina’s tone dropped colder. "Otherwise, things will only get worse."

Mila put the toast down and met her gaze. "I don’t belong here, and no one can keep me here forever."

There was no anger in her voice, only certainty.

"Is it a challenge?" Valentina asked, feeling giddy with excitement. This was exactly what she wanted to hear.

Mila didn’t reply.

"You think you can escape? You are delusional. This place is heavily guarded. No one gets in. No one gets out without permission. So drop the idea – because it is not happening."

Mila snorted. "Then I’ll make things difficult. I’ll force him to let me go."

This made Valentina laugh. "And how exactly are you planning to do that?" she asked sarcastically.

Mila didn’t answer immediately. She reached for a fork and lifted it, settling her eyes on its sharp edge. "If someone is desperate enough, they can do anything."

Valentina raised an eyebrow. The implication of her words was stilled her for a moment. She realized Mila wasn’t bluffing and that she would go to any extent, even hurt someone, to get out.

Instead of concern, a sly smile crossed her lips. ’Perfect,’ she thought. ’This is exactly what I want.’

Push Mila far enough and she would destroy herself.

"Well." Valentina cut another piece of pancake. "I’d like to see what you can do."

She resumed eating.

Her phone rang. Valentina stood up, taking her gun.

"Yes." She walked a few steps away as she answered the call.

Mila’s attention shifted to the knife. Her heartbeat picked up. She glanced at Valentina, who was busy speaking on the phone, not paying attention to her. It was as if she had forgotten about the knife.

Mila’s stomach knotted. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached out and took the knife. She again looked at Valentina, who was still on the phone.

Mila stood up and hurried away, her steps quickening in panic.

A few moments later, Valentina turned around.

Mila was gone.

Her gaze dropped to the table. The knife wasn’t there. A slow, satisfying smile appeared on her face.

She had left it there on purpose, and Mila had taken the bait.

"Come on, Mila. I’m waiting for your first mistake. Don’t disappoint me."

Mila didn’t run. She walked down the corridor with measured steps.

The guards stood there in their places, watching. But none of them stopped her.

Her heart trembled as she walked past them toward the backyard. The moment she stepped outside, the crisp air hit her face. For the first time since she had been brought here, she felt something close to freedom.

The garden spread wide before her eyes. Rows of vibrant flowers bloomed. Thick hedges bordered the entire place.

Stone walkways carved through the space. They wound between flower beds and trees. Concrete benches rested under the towering trees.

In the corner stood a large patio. Its pillars were carved with intricate stone patterns, vines twisting into figures. Then her eyes settled on the statues.

White stone figures of women stood in intervals, each holding a large pot tilted forward. From the pots, water flowed constantly in thin streams, spilling into the shallow pool below. The sound of water added to the calmness of the surroundings.

The garden was really beautiful. It felt like a paradise. But Mila had no time to admire the beauty.

She looked at the endless stretch of the sea in the distance, shimmering under the sunlight. Her heart began to pound with excitement.

"That’s my way out."

Mila stepped toward the sea.

From the balcony above, Valentina watched. Her sharp eyes followed Mila, missing nothing.

"Foolish woman," she murmured under her breath. "She thinks she can escape through the beach."

A slow smirk spread across her lips. "She doesn’t even know this is an island. Completely locked."

Valentina didn’t move to stop her. She watched the two guards stationed ahead. "Let’s see what she’d do."

She stood there, watching the scene unfolding before her.

Mila’s steps quickened, adrenaline propelling her forward. She couldn’t wait to reach the beach. But her steps slowed the moment she noticed the patrolling guards ahead.

"Shit," she muttered a curse as she turned and looked around quickly, searching for a place to hide.

She hurried toward a large tree.

Crack...

She stepped on a dry twig, which snapped loudly beneath her foot. Mila froze, her breath caught.

The guards turned.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yes. Over there."

Panic surged through her veins. Mila ducked and slipped behind a dense hedge, crouching low, pressing herself against the earth. Her heartbeat roared in her ears.

Heavy footsteps were getting closer. Brunches rustled. Leaves shifted.

She pressed her mouth with both hands, trying to silence her breathing.

’Don’t move. Don’t move,’ she told herself in her mind.

"The sound came from here," a man’s voice reached her ears.

"But there is nothing. Maybe it’s a cat or rat."

"Still, we should check properly."

The guards stepped closer.

Valentina watched everything, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Let’s see how far she can go."

She pulled out her phone and dialed a number.

Sharp ringing of the phone pierced the air, startling Mila. She closed her eyes.

The guards paused and looked at the screen, only to see Valentina’s name on it.

"Hello?" he answered.

"There is an issue with the surveillance cameras on the west side. Go check it."

The man hesitated for a moment. "Now?"

"Yes. Fix the issue immediately."

The line got disconnected.

The man looked at his companion. "We need to head to the west side."

"What’s the matter?"

"Camera issue. Need to fix it urgently."

"Let’s go."

Their footsteps faded.

Mila stayed frozen for a few seconds longer. Then slowly, carefully, she lifted her head and looked around. When she saw the guards walking away, she let out a sigh of relief.

"That was close," she murmured, placing a hand on her chest. "I don’t have much time. I need to get out of here."

She slipped out from behind the hedges and moved again toward the sea, this time faster. She didn’t stop. The closer she got, the louder the waves became. The smell of salt filled her lungs.

Her steps quickened further with anticipation and excitement, almost breaking into run.

’Freedom is so close,’ she thought joyfully.

But that joy didn’t last long. A wired fence stood ahead, blocking her path. Her breath hitched when she saw the warning sign. The fence was connected with high voltage current.

There was no gap, no opening.

"Damn it," she muttered in frustration. "This place is locked from all sides. How am I supposed to leave?"

The realization that there was no way out made her chest tighten painfully. All her excitement waned. But she had not given up yet. Hope was still there in her heart.

"There must be something, a blind spot, a weak fencing. There has to be a way."

Her mind raced, searching for anything.

"Hey! What are you doing there?"

Mila’s blood ran cold. She turned and saw a guard rushing toward her. Before she could react, he grabbed her arm and dragged her away.

"You shouldn’t be here," he barked. "Come with me."

"Let go." Mila struggled, trying to pull free.

But his hold was so tight that she felt as though he would crush her bone. Desperate, she took out the hidden knife and struck him in one swift motion.

The blade sliced across his arm.

The sudden pain startled him. "Ah," he screamed, his grip loosening around her arm.

Mila shoved him away and ran.

"Stop her."

More guards rushed in.

Mila ran with everything she had. Her lungs burned. Her legs screamed in protest. But she didn’t stop. She couldn’t.

If they got her, they would imprison her again.

Ahead, she saw a large metal gate, slightly ajar.

’That’s my way out.’

Hope surged through her. She pushed harder, sprinting toward it.

Behind her, footsteps echoed.

"Stop right there. Or I’ll shoot you."

Mila didn’t slow down. She didn’t look behind. Her eyes were set firmly on the gate.

’Just a little more.’

Just as she thought she would reach the gate, she paused abruptly as if she had hit a wall.

A figure stood in front of the gate, still, tall, imposing.

’Dominic!’

His intimidating aura made her heart tremble in dread. Her breath came in sharp uneven gasps as she stared at him.

He didn’t move forward to catch her. He didn’t speak. All he did was stare at her in deadly chillness.

The guards caught up behind her, but no one dared to touch her.

The injured guard stepped forward, clutching his bleeding arm. "She has a weapon – a knife."

Dominic’s eyes turned icier. He finally moved, stepping toward her.

Desperate, Mila pointed the knife at him. "Step back," she yelled. "I’m warning you."