The Devil Who Claimed Me

They arrived at the mansion in suffocating silence. The moment the car stopped, Dominic stepped out and yanked the door open. His grip on Mila’s wrist was iron-tight as he dragged her inside.

Mila’s heart started pounding wildly when he took her toward the room where she had once been locked before. She clasped his wrist, resisting.

"No, please. "Don’t lock me up again. I don’t want to go back there..."

Dominic stopped. Slowly, he turned to face her. His eyes were dark, unreadable. "You should’ve thought about that before trying to run away."

The weight of his voice crushed her chest.

"I gave you a chance—believed you would obey me." His fingers tightened around her arm as he pulled her nearer. "I let you stay by my side."

His gaze burned into hers. "And what did you do? You took that trust and shattered it."

Her face turned pale.

"You risked everyone’s life."

She knew he was right. But there was something more he didn’t know.

They were no longer safe. Marco had given her a task. If she failed to collect Dominic’s secrets and share them with Marco, her friend would be in danger.

Her chest tightened painfully. Tears gathered in her eyes.

"I’m sorry..." she whispered. "I wasn’t thinking clearly. I just... I panicked."

She swallowed hard. "I wanted to stop my father. I didn’t think about anything else..."

Dominic clenched his jaw. He could see her fear and feel her desperation. But that didn’t erase what she had done.

She had not only risked herself but also his men, his operations, and his control.

If things had gone wrong, there would have been blood everywhere. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

He scrunched up his face. "You should be thanking me that I’m not throwing you into the dungeon," he hissed. "Stay here quietly. Or next time, I won’t hold back."

He pulled her again toward the room.

But Mila refused to move. She dropped to her knees. Her grip tightened around his hand.

"You promised me something," she said suddenly. "You said you would reward me for helping you tonight."

At the time, she had not answered him about what reward she wanted. But now, she wanted to use it to get some freedom in this mansion. This would allow her to learn about his secrets and plans.

"I want it now."

For a moment, silence hung between them. Then Dominic’s expression darkened.

"You are trying to bargain with me?" he scoffed. "After everything you’ve done? Forget it."

"You promised me." She cast him a pleading look.

Dominic grew restless. Her tears had been his weakness. He couldn’t see her cry.

Part of him wanted to give in to her demand. But he held himself back.

"You lied to me once. Then again." His voice turned colder with every word. "And now you expect me to reward you? Is this a game?"

She shook her head. "No...it’s not. I don’t want to be locked up again. Please."

Something flickered in his eyes.

Her tears—they always did something to him.

For a split second, his resolve wavered. But then, doubt returned.

What if she betrayed him again? What if he let her go, and she ran once more?

He had been fooled by her twice. And if she did it again, he wouldn’t be able to face his men.

"Dominic, don’t fall for her words." Valentina’s sharp voice cut through the moment.

Both of them turned.

She was walking toward them, dragging someone along.

Mila’s entire body went rigid the moment she saw who it was.

"Faith..."

Faith’s face was bruised, her lips cut, her body barely steady. The confident woman Mila had met earlier was gone. In her place stood someone broken.

Guilt slammed into Mila like a wave.

"Let her go," Mila cried instantly. "She didn’t do anything wrong."

"Shut up," Valentina snapped. "You don’t get to speak."

She turned to Dominic, her tone sharp and insistent. "Don’t fall for her tricks this time," she warned. "You saw what she did. If you soften again, she will do something big that will put all of us in grave danger."

Dominic steeled his heart. There was no way he would give in to her demand.

’She has to take the punishment,’ he reminded himself.

His gaze flicked to the woman Valentina had brought. "Who is she?"

"This is the woman who helped her escape," she said. "Her name is Faith. She drugged your guards. She was trying to run away, but I caught her.

"Good."

Mila’s panic surged. She grabbed his hand again.

"Please... don’t hurt her," she begged. "She is innocent. This is my fault."

Valentina let out a harsh laugh. "Innocent?" she scoffed. "She attacked our men. And you think we’ll just let her walk away? Never. We’ll punish her for what she did."

"No..." Mila shook her head, desperation pouring out of her. "Dominic, I’m begging you. Let her go."

Before Dominic could say anything, Valentina spoke. "Don’t listen to her. If we let her go, what message are we sending?"

Mila wouldn’t give up. To save Faith, if she had to sacrifice her freedom, she would do that without hesitation. Her grip on his hand tightened further.

"I’ll do anything you say."

"Anything?" Dominic arched his eyebrow.

She nodded firmly. "Anything. I’ll take the punishment, but don’t hurt her. Release her."

Something dark flashed in his eyes. He was furious. She was willing to sacrifice herself for a stranger. She was even ready to face any punishment.

He nodded. "Fine. Don’t regret it."

"Dominic!" Valentina protested sharply. "You can’t just—"

He held up his hand and stopped her.

Valentina swallowed the words, her fists clenching.

"Miss Mila will take the punishment," he declared.

Valentina turned her sharp gaze to Mila, a sneer forming in the corners of her lips. She didn’t want to lose the opportunity to get even with her.

’For all the humiliations,’ she muttered in her mind.

The words that came out of her mouth were sharp and venomous. "For all the trouble she caused, let me decide what to do with her."

"No." Dominic’s refusal came instantly. "That decision is mine."

The finality in his voice left no room for argument.

Valentina’s expression tightened, but she said nothing. She pressed her lips tightly, suppressing her anger.

"Miss Mila," Dominic said, his tone turning even colder. "I won’t lock you up. You are free to move around. You can go back to the clinic."

Valentina’s anger flared again. "This is ridiculous—"

Dominic glared at her. "I’m not done."

Valentina quieted down.

Dominic’s gaze remained fixed on Mila. "But a guard will follow you at all times. You will not disobey him."

Her heart sank.

"And at night, you will come to serve me."

Valentina dug her nails into her palm. The thought of Mila with Dominic every night burned her inside out.

"You are no longer my mistress," he added fiercely. "You are my maid now, my personal maid. You will do everything I say without question."

Mila pulled her chin down, her eyes stinging with tears. She knew this was coming.

Personal maid

He wouldn’t leave a chance to humiliate her or hurt her.

Mila swallowed her pride for the safety of Faith and Lara. ’I have to do this,’ she told herself. ’And I can do it.’

Valentina shot Faith one last glare before storming away.