Chapter 54: The Devil
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Present
Reliving those moments made me break down in tears. 'I didn't know who to call; there was no one to help me, Nathan. I was all alone with them," I sobbed, my tears soaking Nathan's chest.
'I don't know what to say. I know saying sorry won't change anything," he whispered, stroking my hair.
Flashback
He injected me with that substance, and my body instantly grew unbearably hot. The liquid seared through my veins, making me scream in agony. It felt like I was on fire. My head thrashed, my body writhing on the bed. Why was he doing this to me? I hadn't done anything to deserve such torture.
'Ow!" I wailed. The pain wouldn't fade.
'Death is too peaceful, birdy," Hernandez sneered, standing up. 'Let's go, Bingo. Have the goods arrived?"
'Please, help me," I begged, but they ignored me. Just when I thought the heat might ease, my core throbbed. A sudden, intense desire flooded me, sweat drenching my body as if I had been dunked in water. I stumbled out of bed, banging on the door, my legs giving way as I collapsed, writhing in agony, helpless against the unnatural desires.
That was when I realized what Desirella was—a drug meant to make me crave him, trapping me in an endless cycle of his abuse.
From then on, I surrendered myself, my life, and my future to Hernandez. Escape from his mansion or his torture was impossible. He introduced me to his business, showing me the depths of his depravity. He was the mastermind behind Mexico City's largest drug empire, human trafficking, and countless other atrocities. Anything vile and dangerous, Hernandez was behind it.
That wasn't the life I had dreamed of for my child. The only good thing Hernandez did for me was to let me give birth safely. But he hated children, so when Razi turned three, I entrusted her to my friend, Mrs. Bernard.
For the next few years, I lived as Hernandez's wife in name only, visiting Razi just once a year. But once, I missed her too much and went to see her without Hernandez's permission. When I returned, he tortured me viciously. I didn't think I would survive the injuries he inflicted—all because I dared to visit my own daughter.
That day, something in me changed. I vowed to end him, to stop the misery he spread to innocent girls in Mexico City. For a year, I pretended everything was normal, enduring his punishments without complaint. I no longer felt the physical pain of Desirella or his whippings. The only agony I knew was the pain of being away from my child. I had to put an end to it.
'I can't do this anymore, please," I begged as Hernandez approached me with another syringe. I lay curled up on the bed after another sleepless night, exhausted and aching. 'I'm tired," I told him. And I truly was. I felt sick, but he wouldn't listen.
'Then open up for me," he said, his words dripping with malice.
'My legs are sore. Can't we wait? I need just a few minutes to recover," I pleaded.
'You will heal when I'm inside you," he whispered, his hot breath on my neck as he leaned in for a kiss.
'Please, Hernandez. Just a few minutes," I begged.
Without a word, he injected me with that fiery liquid again. After enduring the torture, he forced my legs open and ravaged me until I passed out. This time, I thought I would truly died.
'You are finally awake," he said when I opened my eyes. A dull ache throbbed where a cannula was inserted in my hand. 'I thought you had died. Do you know how long you were unconscious?"
'I thought I had died too," I murmured, struggling to sit up.
Present
'Hernandez died of cancer, but everyone thought I had killed him because he left his estate to me," I said, wiping my tears. 'Honestly, I was planning to kill him, but cancer did the job."
'What kind of drug is Desirella? I have never heard of it," Nathan asked.
'Hernandez claimed it was a concoction made by some witch doctor. He wanted a potion to make every woman he touched satisfy him completely. Even so, it never seemed enough for him," I explained. 'After he died, I sold his illegal businesses and started a jewelry company. I built a name for myself. But by then, I had already lost my child."
'What do you mean?" he asked, his gaze holding mine.
'She no longer saw me as her mother," I said, chuckling bitterly. 'I had Mrs. Bernard put her in a boarding school when she was old enough because I feared Hernandez might hurt her. When I was finally free, I wanted us to go home, but she didn't want to leave behind her friends or Mrs. Bernard. She barely knew me. She didn't want to go to another country with someone she hardly knew as her mother. But I couldn't bear to leave her behind, so I forced her to come. And she hated me for it. So many times, she made sure I knew it. I only heard her call me ‘mother' and tell me she loved me once—and then I lost her," I sobbed. 'I lost my child, Nathan. I thought Hernandez's torture was the worst thing I had ever endured, but it was nothing compared to losing my daughter."
'It's okay," Nathan whispered, wiping my tears. 'It's my fault. If I hadn't let you go, none of this would've happened. I take all the blame. I hope I can make your future brighter," he said. 'But about Desirella—don't you think it might have a medical cure?"
I pulled away, wrapping the bedclothes around me.
'Where are you going?"
'You just pissed me off, Nathan!" I groaned, getting off the bed.
'What did I say wrong? Was it bad to ask a question?"
'It was a senseless question," I snapped. 'Do you think with all my wealth, I wouldn't have tried every doctor or bought the most expensive treatments if there were a cure? If it had a cure, do you think I would be begging you to sleep with me?" Shaking my head, I closed the bathroom door behind me. I turned on the shower, sitting under the spray. If only I could find a cure, I wouldn't be in this mess. 'I curse the day I met you, Hernandez. May you rot in hell for what you did to me," I whispered, letting the water hide my tears.
'Scarlett?" Nathan knocked on the door.
'I don't want to see you, Nathan. Go away!"
'I'm not leaving, and you know it. Let's try something together. Maybe we can come up with a solution if you let me help."
'I don't need your help!" I yelled. 'Leave my room before I come out."
'Fine. Suit yourself," he said, and I heard his footsteps retreating. Leaning against the cold wall, I let my tears flow as freely as the water cascading over me.
