Chapter 53: The Flashbacks
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A few minutes later, Nathan held me tightly, as if I might disappear at any moment. "Why is this happening to you?" he asked, kissing the top of my head. His back was leaned against the headboard, and I was sitting on his lap, my head resting on his chest. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me close.
"What do you expect from a devil's wife?" I murmured.
"Don't call yourself that. You are no longer married to the devil, okay?" he replied, and I chuckled.
"But he still has control over me."
"I don't understand."
"I don't even know how to explain it to you, Nathan. Can we not talk about this?" I said, looking up at him.
"We have to. I need to know what's going on. Let me in on it, please," he insisted, so I nodded and laid my head back on his chest.
"To cut a long story short, Hernandez used to inject me with something he called Desirella before... before he touched me," I began.
Flashback
Hernandez was insatiable. I got caught up in his world after standing up to one of his men. That night, I was working the night shift as a cleaner at a hotel when I interrupted one of his men, who was about to hurt a young girl. She was so innocent—I didn't know how she ended up there. I couldn't just watch him defile her, so I smashed a flower vase over his head and escaped with the girl.
"Thank you so much, Miss. Be careful around those men—they are dangerous. Don't let them find you," she warned before running off. Little did I know that my act of kindness would become the worst mistake of my life. Now I was being hunted by Hernandez's men—the most feared gang in the country. It didn't take long for them to catch me. Where could I have hidden? My identity was recorded with the hotel, so they found me easily.
"Let me go, you bastards!" I shouted, trying to break free as the huge man tossed me over his shoulder and carried me off to their hideout—a grand mansion guarded by armed men.
"Here she is, boss," the man said, dropping me on the floor, pain shooting through my body.
'That hurts!" I cried out, but my voice faltered as I took in Hernandez's imposing figure. He was a big, muscular man, seated like a king with an air of untouchable authority. His dark eyes locked onto mine, sending chills down my spine.
He reached out to touch my face, but I slapped his hand away. "Don't you dare touch me!" I snapped, fists clenched.
"Well, aren't you fiery," he sneered, licking his lips as he looked me over. My clothes were half-torn, and I hugged myself, shrinking back.
"Bring her to my room, Bingo. We have work to do," he ordered, and the large man picked me up like I was nothing.
"Put me down, scum!" I shouted, hitting him with all the strength I could muster, though it only hurt my hands. He carried me to Hernandez's room and threw me onto the bed.
"She's here, boss," he said before leaving, leaving me alone with Hernandez—the devil himself.
I shivered, clutching myself. There was no escape. Hernandez was in the bathroom, and armed guards stood outside. I didn't even know my way around this place. Running wasn't an option.
"There you are," his voice echoed as he emerged from the bathroom.
"What do you want from me?" I asked, trying to sound brave.
'What else could you offer?" he asked, his voice dripping with sinister amusement. He took a step closer, and I jumped down from the bed, backing away.
'Don't waste my time, girl. Nobody escapes from here," he said calmly.
"I won't let you touch me," I said, my voice shaking.
"Bingo!" he called, and the large man re-entered the room.
"She's being difficult. Clip her wings," Hernandez ordered.
"Don't touch me!" I screamed, but Bingo came toward me, flipped me over his shoulder, and threw me back on the bed. He handcuffed me to the bed frame. 'Let me go, please," I begged.
'You can leave now," Hernandez told Bingo, who locked the door as he exited.
"Please, don't touch me," I pleaded, struggling against the cuffs.
"Fine," he replied with a twisted smile, kneeling beside me and tearing the last of my clothes away, leaving me exposed. He pulled out a switchblade. 'Should I use this instead?" He pressed the knife to my skin, making me whimper.
"Please, don't," I whispered.
"Thought so."
'I'm pregnant, sir. Please don't," I lied desperately, hoping to stop him.
"Even better," he sneered, spreading my legs.
That was the worst night of my life. He didn't stop until I passed out. Little did I know it was only the beginning of my nightmare.
When I regained consciousness, Hernandez was seated nearby, smoking a cigar. I coughed, my throat dry and aching. My hands were numb from the cuffs, and the pain in my body was unbearable. I winced as I tried to sit up, my head throbbing.
"Awake at last," he said, turning his chair to face me.
'I want to go home," I whispered, barely finding my voice.
'Not so fast," he replied, standing and walking over to me. 'Anyone who enters this room belongs to me now," he said, his voice filled with a chilling authority.
'What... what do you mean?" I stammered, feeling my heart race.
He traced a finger along my cheek. "You are mine now," he said in a voice that left no room for argument.
'I... I don't want this. Please, I'm pregnant," I sobbed, pleading with him.
'Don't mention that again," he growled, his eyes darkening. "Or I will pull that child out of you myself." Terrified, I clamped my mouth shut, my heart pounding with regret for ever trying to help that girl.
'Bingo?" he called out.
"Please, don't. I promise I won't say it again," I whimpered.
'Good. Now, for round two," he said, grabbing my hand before I could react.
"I'm in pain. Please, I feel sore," I cried.
'Boss?" Bingo's head popped into the room.
'Bring me Desirella," Hernandez ordered. At the time, I thought Desirella was the name of another person. I didn't know it was the drug that would soon chain me to him in ways I couldn't imagine.
