The Devil Who Claimed Me

Mila came out of the restroom and headed back to the waiting area, the guards following behind closely. With every step she took, her heart pounded.

’I have to wait...’

She couldn’t leave the hospital yet, not until Lara’s help arrived. But another thought crept in, unsettling her further.

’What if Dominic decides to leave before that?’

Her fingers curled slightly. If he took her back to the island, everything would be over. Her only chance would be gone.

Lost in those thoughts, she returned to the waiting area and sat down. Her eyes drifted ahead. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Mr. Lee stood nearby, speaking with a doctor.

Mila rose and walked toward them just as the doctor finished speaking and headed toward the operating room.

Mr. Lee stood there, his shoulders heavy, his eyes red and swollen.

"Mr. Lee," Mila called gently. "What did the doctor say?"

"They are preparing for the surgery," he replied. "I’m... scared."

His voice thickened with emotion. Then he let out a deep breath. "He is my only son, my successor. If anything happens to him, everything I build will fall apart."

Mila felt the weight behind his words. It was something she had seen many times before. Every patient’s family members felt the same fear.

"Have faith in the doctors," she said calmly. "They’ll do everything they can. The surgery will be successful."

"I hope so."

"Mila," came Dominic’s voice.

Her heart skipped. She turned.

Dominic walked toward her, his presence as commanding as ever. His gaze flicked to Mr. Lee briefly before settling on her.

"I brought this for you," he said, handing her a sandwich. "Sit and eat."

Mila thanked him and sat in the chair. She was hungry and started eating quickly.

Dominic stepped aside, speaking quietly to the guards.

A few moments later, he returned. "It’s getting late," he said. "You are exhausted. You should leave."

Mila stopped chewing and looked up at him, her heart trembling. She couldn’t leave yet.

"I’ve arranged it," he continued. "The guards will take you back to the island. I’ll stay here with Mr. Lee."

"I’m not going anywhere," she said sternly.

Dominic frowned.

"The surgery is going on," she continued. "I’ll leave only after the doctors confirm his condition is stable."

"You don’t need to stay," he said. "Remy is here."

But Mila wouldn’t leave. She couldn’t. "You might have forgotten," she said evenly, "none of you know Mandarin. How are you going to communicate with Mr. Lee?"

At that, Dominic fell silent. "Fine," he had to agree unwillingly. "Stay."

He turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

He paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "To arrange a room for you."

"But..."

He was already gone.

She sighed softly, leaning back into the chair. "I don’t need a room," she finished the sentence, her voice dropping.

Her pulse quickened again. "I don’t need rest. I can’t..."

Mila’s mind was restless with excitement coursing through her. Tonight was going to be long. And finally, she would be able to escape.

She finished the last bite of the sandwich. In the meantime, a familiar voice cut through the air. She didn’t have to look up to see who it was.

Valentina.

When she raised her head, she met her sharp glare. She had no idea what she had done this time to upset her.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

"Why am I here?" she repeated mockingly. "I go wherever Dominic goes. You left in a helicopter. We came by boat."

"Oh..." Mila looked away dismissively. "Then you should go find Dominic. Maybe he needs you."

"Don’t tell me what to do," Valentina hissed. "You are not my boss."

"I don’t want to be," Mila shot back coldly.

Valentina gritted her teeth. Her anger had been simmering all night. Now it reached the peak.

Mila had taken everything – the attention, the admiration, the spotlight. And worst of all – Dominic’s favor.

He had not hesitated to shoot those guys and even cancel the deal with Mr. Lee because of Mila.

It seemed that fate itself was in her favor. Valentina couldn’t take it.

"You did a great job tonight," Valentina said with sarcasm. "We should all be grateful."

Mila furrowed her eyebrows. She could hear the venom beneath the words.

"As an interpreter, you were fabulous," Valentina continued mockingly. "You impressed everyone so much that two men followed you and tried to rape you."

Mila’s frown deepened.

"Why would they suddenly target you?" she pressed. "They knew you were important. They knew who you were with. Yet they still tried something like that? I don’t believe they did anything wrong without a reason."

"Say it clearly, whatever you want to say," Mila grumbled.

"Humph! Pretending to be innocent?" Valentina snorted scornfully. "You must have provoked them. Otherwise, why would they come after you?"

Mila’s entire body stiffened. Rage burned through her veins. She knew Valentina didn’t like her, but she had not expected her to say that. As a woman, Valentina should have supported her, but instead, she was blaming her.

"You think what they did was justified?" Mila rose to her feet, her whole body burning.

"I heard them," Valentina said coldly. "They said you seduced them first. Then you pretended to be innocent and cried in front of Dominic."

Valentina stepped closer. "You have no idea how important Mr. Lee is. And you...you risked everything."

That was enough. Before she could say further, Mila raised her hand and slapped her.

Valentina’s whole face turned to the other side. Shocked, she didn’t move for a while. She didn’t breathe either. Her ears buzzed; the surroundings seemed tilted.

Then she slowly turned her head and looked at her with disbelief.

"What is going on?" Dominic’s voice thundered across the corridor, startling both women.

When Valentina saw him, she changed her expression quickly. She hurried over to him and said, "Mila hit me. I just asked her what really happened with those men. I heard them say she seduced them first. I wanted to know the truth, and she..."

Something dangerous crossed his face. His gaze fixated on Mila. A storm brewed in his eyes.

"You dared to do that."

Seeing that he was scolding Mila, Valentina smiled inwardly, satisfied. She was happy that he supported her.

"You should punish her," she added. "She can’t just hit me because I questioned her—"

"I’m talking to you, Valentina." Dominic turned to face her, anger written all over his face.