The Devil Who Claimed Me

’Serve him. Every night?’ The words echoed in her ears.

For a second, Mila didn’t react. Her mind reeled from shock and disbelief.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. I want you to be my mistress," Dominic said calmly, taking another drag of his cigarette.

Fury surged through her. "You are insane. Do you think I’ll agree to something like that?"

"You don’t have to agree," he said coolly. "You can go back to your room and stay locked. No freedom. That will be your life."

Mila’s jaw clenched. She was so furious that she couldn’t speak.

"But if you agree, you will get access to this place. You can go around and spend time in the garden. Above all, you will have me."

He extinguished the cigarette. "Think carefully before you reject it."

Mila’s breathing slowed. Her mind raced.

Two weeks

She had been locked inside that room for two damn weeks. The silence, the dullness, and the same walls – everything was suffocating. She wouldn’t want to be locked in there again.

If freedom meant to be his mistress, then be it.

’It’s just temporary,’ she comforted herself. ’Endure it. Then find a way to escape.’

Getting out of this place would be impossible if she stayed locked up. But if she got access to this house, there was still a chance. She wouldn’t miss it.

She lifted her head and met his gaze. "Fine," she agreed. "I’ll serve you."

Dominic’s brow lifted slightly. He was surprised. He had expected resistance, anger, a fight, not compliance. Reaching out, he took another cigarette and lit it up.

"Good. But don’t ever think of escaping. If you make the same mistake again, the punishment will be doubled."

"Understood," she murmured. "I won’t repeat the mistake."

But she vowed silently that she would do anything to get out of here.

"If you allow me, I want to say something."

Dominic nodded, giving her permission.

Mila took a breath. "I want to work."

"Work?" He narrowed his eyes, sucking the smoke deeply.

"I won’t sit around waiting for you all day," she said firmly. "If I’m staying here, I need to do something."

Dominic studied her, trying to understand what she had on her mind.

"I’m a doctor," Mila continued. "I want to join Remy in the clinic."

"Uh-huh?" He hadn’t expected to hear it.

"I miss going to the hospital, treating patients, and being useful. If I work, I won’t feel trapped."

He understood how much she loved her profession. To save him from that accident, she had not cared about her own safety and pulled him out of the wrecked car. He could tell she really missed her job.

The little bit of doubt he had in his mind vanished. But he wouldn’t fully trust her, not yet.

"Okay," he agreed, though he made a mental note to keep an eye on her. "You can join Remy."

Mila smiled. It was faint but genuine.

Dominic’s heart fluttered. Ever since he had brought her, he had not seen her smile. For a moment, he forgot to breathe.

Mila looked beautiful when she smiled. Her eyes sparkled, and that small dimple in her cheek – it made her look irresistible.

Before he could stop himself, he stepped forward.

Mila barely had time to react.

His hands came up, gently cupping her face. And then he kissed her.

It wasn’t forceful, not demanding, not the kind of kiss that meant to overpower. It was slow, passionate.

He poured his emotions, his longing for her, and the unspoken desire for her in that one kiss.

Mila went rigid. Her first instinct was to push him away, to resist, to remind herself who he was, and what he had done to her. But for some reason, she couldn’t.

Her hands remained frozen at her sides. Her mind told her to hate him, reject him. But her body wanted to lean in, feel him, get lost in this kiss. The pull toward him was hard to ignore.

Her fingers trembled. She was about to lift her hands and push him away when the door flew open.

They pulled back and turned to see Valentina.

"You?" Valentina’s gaze flicked between them. For a fraction of a second, she couldn’t move. Then jealousy and rage twisted her features. "What is she doing here?"

She had heard Mila had been summoned to the study. The moment the news reached her, she had rushed here, ready to question Dominic. But this – this was something beyond her expectation.

Her eyes snapped to Mila. "Shouldn’t she be in her room?"

Mila instinctively tried to step back. But Dominic wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her in closer.

Valentina froze yet again. Something inside her clenched violently.

She wanted to tear Mila from his hold, to drag her away. But she didn’t move. She stood there, frozen, watching them.

"Mila is no longer confined to that room," Dominic said. "She is staying with me from now on."

Valentina dug her nails into her palms unconsciously. "What did you say?" she blurted out.

"She is my mistress now." Dominic’s grip on Mila’s waist tightened. "She will be moving into my room. Prepare some fresh clothes for her."

Each word struck Valentina like a hammer. She felt humiliated.

"And inform Remy – she will be assisting him in the clinic."

Valentina could barely breathe. Her mind screamed. Her instinct told her to fight, to object, to throw Mila out of here, and remind Dominic of his priorities. But she knew better. She knew what it meant to go against him.

Slowly, painfully, she swallowed her anger and jealousy.

"Understood," she said stiffly.

She quickly turned on her heels and left.

Mila exhaled slowly, her body still tense. Dominic’s arm was still around her as if he had no intention of letting her go. He tilted his head toward her, his gaze dropping to her lips. He leaned closer to kiss her again.

Mila lifted her hand and pressed her fingers against his lips.

"Don’t. We are in the study. You saw what happened just now. I don’t want to be embarrassed again."

Dominic simply looked at her for some time. A faint smirk appeared. "Then go wait for me in the room."

The implication in his tone was unmistakable.

Mila’s cheeks burned. "I want to see the clinic first," she said slowly.

He studied her for a moment before calling a guard.

A man appeared at the door almost immediately.

"Escort her to the clinic," Dominic ordered.

"Yes, boss." The guard nodded.

Mila walked out without looking back.

Once she was gone, Dominic reached for his phone and called someone. "Lucas," he said, his tone grave. "Have someone secretly watch Mila."