The Devil Who Claimed Me

Mila looked at Serene. It was the first time she was truly looking at her.

Serene looked confident, poised, and untouchable. Dressed in an expensive gown, Serene looked gorgeous. Her beauty was striking—the kind that demanded attention. People would pause and turn their heads to look at her.

She was the kind of woman any man would desire.

Everything about her radiated a kind of elegance Mila couldn’t hope to imitate. She was the kind of woman who never had to compete.

Mila felt painfully small in comparison. The illusion she had been holding onto that she might still have a place beside Dominic began to crumble.

With Serene here, Dominic would soon fall for her again.

A dull ache spread through Mila’s chest. She barely registered Valentina’s voice anymore, her thoughts drowning her as she stared at Serene in a daze.

"Hello, Mila." Serene extended her hand toward her. "I heard that you saved Dominic. Thank you so much for taking care of him."

Mila blinked, coming out of her reverie. She looked at her hand for a moment before reaching out to take it.

Before their hands could touch, Serene pulled back.

Mila froze mid-motion, her fingers curling slightly in the empty air before she slowly lowered her hand.

Serene’s expression shifted instantly, her features softening into something that looked like concern.

"It’s really unfortunate. You saved him, and yet he treats you like this. He shouldn’t have made you his maid. That’s unfair."

Her smile resumed. "Don’t worry. I’ll talk to him and tell him to end your punishment. He will listen to me. He always does."

The certainty in her voice cut Mila deeply. Such confidence could only come from years of trust in a bond Mila could never replace.

A sharp ache spread through Mila’s chest.

Dominic’s words from the night before, the way he had held her, the way he had said she was the only one—all clashed painfully with the reality in front of her.

Mila didn’t know what to believe anymore.

"Oh, yes." Serene started again while Mila’s mind was still in chaos. "I’m going shopping. I was asking Valentina to accompany me, but she said she couldn’t. She has work to do."

She smiled sweetly. "Why don’t you come with me instead?"

Before Mila could respond, Valentina spoke, "Yes, I have something important to take care of. Mila, you should go."

"What?" Mila turned sharply toward her. "How can I leave? Dominic will never allow it."

"Don’t worry about Dominic," Serene chimed in. She stepped toward Mila with a confident smile. "We’ll be back before he returns. And even if he asks, I’ll handle it. He’ll understand."

Mila still hesitated. She had a feeling that they both were planning something. They were probably trying to make Dominic punish her.

"No...I’m not going. I have work at the clinic."

Serene’s expression fell. "I just came back after three years. I wanted to have some fun. But no one is willing to accompany me. Valentina."

She clasped her hands. "Tell her to come with me. Or I’ll be bored alone."

"Mila," Valentina called. "Since Serene is assuring you, there’s nothing to worry about. Dominic won’t be angry. In fact, he’ll be pleased that you accompanied her. She is the woman he cherished the most. If he sees you serving her well, he might even reward you... perhaps even end your punishment."

"Yes," Serene said with a brimming smile. "I can even convince him to let you go."

Mila wasn’t naïve. She wouldn’t fall for her trap. "I won’t leave without his permission," she said coldly.

Valentina’s patience snapped. "This is getting ridiculous," she said sharply. "Dominic is busy. He hates being disturbed while working. And you want us to call him for something like this?"

"Valentina, calm down. Let me try." Serene took her phone out of her bag and dialed Dominic. But the call went unanswered.

She let out a sigh. "He is not picking up."

"I told you already," said Valentina. "He doesn’t like to be disturbed. He might have kept his phone in silent mode."

"Forget it." Serene shrugged, disappointment clinging to her features. "I won’t go anywhere."

She turned and began walking away.

"Wait." Valentina caught her arm. "Don’t be upset. Let me handle this."

She turned to Mila, her expression hardening as she stepped closer.

"Are you really going to offend her?" she asked in a low voice. "Don’t forget who she is. She is Alejandro’s daughter. Everyone here respects her as much as Dominic. Her words carry the same weight."

She leaned in slightly. "Don’t you want freedom? She is the only one who can convince Dominic to let you go. Don’t make her upset. Be wise and go with her. Entertain her."

Mila’s mind raced with confusion. She doubted their intention. But she couldn’t stop wondering if Serene could really help her.

And Marco?

Maybe he would stop targeting Lara if she could leave this place. Hope surged within her, but the doubts lingered.

Seeing her hesitation, Valentina’s voice turned cold. "If you upset her, she can make your life here unbearable. She can turn Dominic against you completely. And you will never be able to get out of this place."

Mila shuddered. The thought alone was terrifying.

"What are you afraid of?" Valentina mocked. "You tried to run away before. Don’t you want to leave now? Or have you changed your mind?"

Mila squinted her eyes slightly at her.

"Someone is offering to help you," Valentina pressed. "You should be grateful. If I were in your place, I would have readily agreed to go with her."

Mila said nothing, her mind still racing with questions. Could she trust them? Would Serene really convince Dominic to let her go?

Her silence grated on Valentina’s nerves. "You are just a maid," she snapped, losing her patience. "You should do as you are told."

"I am Dominic’s personal maid," Mila shot back firmly. "I take orders only from him."

Serene turned. The fire in Mila’s eyes didn’t go unnoticed by her. She realized this woman wasn’t someone to be underestimated. She had to get rid of her as soon as she could. Or she would lose what she had thought hers.

Valentina let out a soft chuckle instead of getting angry. "You are worrying too much. Dominic never stopped you from going out. The only rule is you can’t go without guards."

Silence fell for a moment.

Valentina wasn’t wrong. Dominic had never truly restricted her. He had his guards follow her wherever she went. But could she go off the island?

Before she could ask the question, Valentina spoke again. "The guards are coming anyway. There is nothing to worry about."

"That settles it," Serene said, her tone light. "You’re coming with me."

Before Mila could react, Serene slipped her arm through hers. And just like that, she led her out.