Chapter 62“How do you feel now?” Riley asked, standing beside where Lucifer sat. He popped open the sachet of medicine, and spilled it into his outstretched palm, before downing it with some water. As she watched him gulp the prescribed medicine down, he nodded. He let out a deep sigh after taking the medicine, “Better than before. I can’t believe these pills work so fast.” He said, relaxing back into his seat. He had skipped his medication and the pain from the explosion had resumed, and this time, tremendously. It was late in the evening, and soon they’d all have dinner. The pain throughout the day was too much for Lucifer, and even though Riley asked if he needed anything, he ended up brushing it off with a shake of his head. But, she could easily see through him. Of course, she’d known him for years, so it was only normal. “My shoulder just feels a bit sore.” He said after a short while, scratching the back of his neck. Without saying a word, she moved behind the seat, and pl
Chapter 63Katherine tossed and turned in bed lousily. She could feel the sunrays hitting her exposed skin and when she tumbled over, she almost rolled and fell down from the bed. Her body jolted awake and her eyes fluttered open. Yesterday was completely hectic and her mind immediately circled back to the last conversation that she had with Lucifer before they went to bed. He seemed to be very nonchalant about the whole thing, but she didn’t know. How would she know anything at all? She was new—a stranger— to Lucifer Cain’s life, and although she wasn’t expecting much it hurt. The way he had replied left him feeling almost unsettled and she tried to brush it off, but she couldn’t seem to.She remembered exactly what happened as clear as day:Lucifer’s lips curled into a slow, predatory smirk, his sharp gaze pinning Katherine in place. He leaned back against the cushions, his uninjured arm draped lazily over the edge of the couch."I can see right through you, Katherine, and jealous
Chapter 64Katherine stood in the middle of the kitchen, surrounded by ingredients she had laid out in anxiousness while getting ready to make dinner. After watching Riley’s effortless breakfast feat earlier that morning, Katherine had made up her mind. She quickly dismissed the chef after thorough reasoning and now that she was right here, she couldn’t back out now. She wasn’t going to sit back while Riley played the perfect housekeeper for Lucifer. It didn’t matter how long they’d known each other. She would cook tonight—show Lucifer that she wasn’t just the helpless, needy woman Riley seemed to think she was.With a deep breath, Katherine turned her attention to the stovetop. The chicken was sizzling in the pan already, and the smell of garlic and onions filled the air. She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Lucifer coming down the stairs, to a delicious meal.But unluckily for her, things weren’t going according to plan.As the time passed by, Katherine felt a growing sen
Chapter 65Lucifer’s voice cut through the quiet like a sternly, making Katherine whip her head around. “What’s that in your hands?”Startled, Katherine stumbled against the wall as he stormed past her, his piercing gaze locked onto Riley. His tone was sharp enough to slice through the tension, and Katherine could feel the tension radiating off him like a storm. She gasped, steadying herself with one hand rested against the wall, her pulse racing as she tried to make sense of his sudden outburst.Riley, standing by the door with the package still resting in her hands, raised an eyebrow at him, unfazed by his aggression. “It’s the package,” she said, holding it up very obviously, so he could see it much more clearly. Her brow furrowed slightly. “I picked it up like you asked me to. Is there a problem?”Lucifer’s jaw ticked as he closed the distance between them. “That doesn’t look right,” he muttered, snatching the box from her hands with so much force that Riley almost toppled over. H
CHAPTER 66The door to Lucifer’s study creaked open loudly, revealing Riley standing smack dab in the middle of the dimly lit hallway. She stepped inside, her combat boots clicking softly against the polished floor as she closed the door behind her. The air between them was different, unusual, but still, Riley reminded herself that she shouldn’t act stupid in front of him.Lucifer was seated at his desk, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp as it followed her movements. The package from earlier was nowhere in sight, as it had been thrown out, but the unspoken tension of all the events that had unfolded earlier was still obvious, as clear as day.“So,” Riley began, crossing her arms as she leaned against the edge of the desk. “This is it.”Lucifer’s lips twitched into a wry smile. “It doesn’t have to be.”She rolled her eyes, though her bodily actions betrayed her emotions. “We both know it does. You’re sending me away for my safety, right? Or is it just because you don’t trust me an
Chapter 67Lucifer stood right outside the door to Katherine's bedroom, a small box in hand. It looked prim and proper, with a pink bow delicately laced at the top of the box. It was the morning after Riley had finally left the estate and even though it felt odd not having her around any more, he knew it was the best decision.Promptly after that, he decided to put together the little surprise that he had mentally plotted out for her. He wasn't quite sure of what to get or do, so he ended up sheepishly enlisting the help of Tricia.Now, thanks to her, everything was set. And all that was left was for him to show how he felt; something that wasnt his strong suit. He knocked on the big, oak door and stood in silence for a moment shoving his hand in his pocket. No reply came and he sucked his teeth, tightening his jaw. 'This is so stupid,' he thought to himself as he cleared his throat with a little sniffle. He knocked again, and no response came and it didn't take long before his min
Chapter 68Cassius and Wilson stood at the entrance of the hallway leading to the livingroom, side by side. Katherine nearly jumped off the chair upon seeing them, abruptly standing up so fast that gravity almost pushed her down again. Her high-pitched voice cut through the air, "Father! Wilson!" She laughed moving closer to them and pulled them in for an embrace. The first smell that hit her was the particular one of cigarettes, and usually she would've pulled away, but she was happy to see them.She had last seen them on her birthday, and as absolutely annoying as they were, weeks felt like age and she still missed them nonetheless.After all, they were her only family.Cassius stood stiffly, withdrawing from the hug a little too quickly, while Wilson clung on to her for a second more. Pulling away, he took in the state of the living room, fully furnished with air conditioning blowing from every corner. This estate exuded luxury, but he was surprised still.Flowers overflowed ever
Chapter 69"Ow! Ow! That hurtssssss!" Katherine winced as the doctor held onto her arm gently. "We've applied the numbing cream already. Just relax, Mrs. Cain." He said, trying to ease her nerves. Katherine's eyes widened as soon as she heard the words 'Mrs. Cain' come out of the doctors mouth. "Oh, I'm not-" She was cut off by a sharp look of Lucifer and decided to swallow the rest of the sentence down her throat. Her heart raced and her cheeks spread with the familiar warmness they always recieved whenever she was flustered. Did he really think of her as his Mrs., or better still, what did the K.C engraved on the dagger really mean?She had been trying to decipher it, because there were clearly two options, Katherine Cassius or Katherine...Cain.She didn't know, maybe she was just overthinking things, but the thought of it alone made her heart race. Lucifer laced his fingers with hers, and she glanced up at him, "Huh?" "He's almost done. I thought it'd hurt." He said lowly, al
CHAPTER 110Katherine couldn't sleep. The events of the past night kept haunting her. She fixed her eyes on her door as though at any moment he would force it down and try to have his way with her.Panic wasn't good for her health and her baby and now she had forgotten what peace was like. Her mind raced. Could this be one of the reasons why Amanda had told her to always have her door locked? Regardless of what she hears? Did she know her husband took advantage of random women and had a fetish for pregnant ones?Last night, she had felt terribly hungry because she had skipped dinner. Any moment she didn’t have to share a table with Ethan and bear his glares was where she felt the most peace. The house had been quiet. Too quiet she didn't see the monster that slipped into the kitchen with her. She was about to reach into the fridge for a carton of milk when his hand clamped over her mouth and her scream was muffled. He shoved her back against the wall. She had kicked and struggled b
CHAPTER 109Cassius paced his sitting room with his jaw tight and fingers drumming against the desk.It had been too long. Two days with no trace of his son. It wasn't the first time he was doing it. Wilson had been disappearing frequently, always vague about where he was going, always brushing off his concern.But now…Now he was gone. There wasn't a call or text from him. No nothing. He had reached out to a few friends of his and they claimed to have not seen him since the afternoon of the supposed day he disappeared. Cassius wasn’t a man who panicked easily. But worry sat heavy in his gut, especially because he knew the stuff his son had been putting his hands in.Definitely, something had happened and it wasn't a good kind. He couldn't reach out to the police because then, that would be toying with dangerous men. And they wouldn't waste a second before snuffing life out of him.He was still contemplating on what to do when a sharp knock came on his door. He quickly dropped his ph
CHAPTER 108Katherine smoothed the soft fabric of the sundress Amanda had given her. It was light, floral, and felt like a second skin. It was the first time in a long while she felt... beautiful.The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the house as she stepped into the living room.Adelaide’s face lit up. “Wow, Kat! You look like a princess!”Katherine chuckled. “You think so?”“Yes! So pretty!”But then, there was a sudden shriek.Madeleine's tiny face twisted in anger. Her little fists clenched.“Take it off!”Katherine blinked. “What?”Madelaine lunged violently.“Take it off! That’s Mommy’s dress!”The child yanked at the fabric, her small hands gripping and pulling.Katherine’s heart dropped.“I—I didn’t know—”“Take it off now!” Madeleine's voice broke.Before Katherine could react, Ethan stepped into the room.“What's going on?” He asked, looking from eye to eye. “It's nothing,” Katherine said quickly. “I think I should take it off.”Amanda shook her head. “It looks amazing on
CHAPTER 107Katherine sat at the dining table, her fingers curled around a cup of green tea. The warmth seeped into her palms, but it did nothing to ease the discomfort in her body.“You look pale dear,” Amanda said and then her eyes flickered to Katherine’s stomach. “Is it the baby?”Katherine’s gaze darted across the room where Ethan was reading a newspaper. Or pretending to.She could feel his gaze flicking toward her every so often. It wasn’t her imagination anymore. It was him and he didn't hide it. It was readable.“Perhaps,” she spoke silently.Every time she walked past him, his eyes followed.Every time she spoke, his attention lingered just a second too long.“How many months gone are you now, Marilyn?”“Six months,” she said, finally breaking the contact.“That's great,” Ethan said suddenly, looking up from his newspaper and giving her a sly smile that made her heart pound. In fear.“Soon you would be without a baby,” he said softly as he eyed her. “We would love to see wha
CHAPTER 106Pain.That was all Wilson could process.His hand was useless, his fingers were twitching at odd angles. His wrist was swollen, the skin stretched taut and red. Every small movement sent sharp, nauseating pain shooting through his arm.Two guards dragged him through a long hallway, his feet stumbling over the marble floor. The house was even better up close—tall arched ceilings, thick rugs embroidered with rare designs, swords and artifacts were displayed like trophies.Wilson gritted his teeth, forcing his focus away from the agony.He had to think. He had to get out.The guards didn’t say a word as they shoved him into a small, dimly lit room. His shoulder slammed into the wall, but the pain in his hand overpowered everything else.“Please,” he said. “I'm thirsty.”“Make do with your piss,” they spat and stormed out, the door locking behind them.Wilson exhaled through clenched teeth, resting his forehead against the cool wall. His whole body ached. His mind was clouded,
CHAPTER 105 Katherine wiped her hands on her apron, exhaling softly as she leaned against the kitchen counter. The late afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, casting warm golden light over the polished wooden floors.She was exhausted and with every passing day, she felt more irritable than the last. She had accepted her fate but she felt she was going to suffocate and die soon.The Landans let her walk around the garden but she was fed up with seeing the same people everyday. She wanted to breathe a different air.She missed her maid, she missed Lucifer, sadly. She hated to admit it but she missed those rubs he gave her to soothe her. But he had hurt her. He only saw her as a tool.A spoon dropped and she stared at it for a long time, suddenly aware of how quiet the house was. It was the kind of quiet that made her feel like she was being watched.She had been feeling it for days now. That unsettling, creeping sensation that someone’s eyes were on her. It was the same way she
CHAPTER 104Pain still pulsed from Wilson’s cheek, but he barely felt it anymore.Not with that box in the room.Not with Giovanni’s smirk growing wider by every passing moment.Not with the way R leaned against the desk, silent, watching.The man holding the box placed it carefully on the table. It was sleek, black, and compact. Not large. Not meant to carry a body.But Wilson knew better.It wasn’t about size.It was about the message.Giovanni turned back to Wilson, dragging a chair closer. Slowly. Casually. Like they were old friends catching up.He sat down, crossing his legs. “Cassius’ little dog,” he repeated, “Tell me… do you bite?”Wilson flashed his teeth.“What can I say? I like pissing off old men.”“You don’t look afraid,” Giovqnnin observed, his tone etched with disappointment.Wilson forced himself to hold the stare. He wouldn’t give this bastard the satisfaction.“How disappointing. I expected him to beg.”R looked him over with the look he detested the most—pity. “Give
CHAPTER 103Wilson’s eyes fluttered open and he moaned out slowly. The world seemed to swirl around him. He turned his head slowly to the direction where a faint glow was coming from. His brain felt fuzzy and he felt exhausted as though all the energy had been drained from him.The room was silent. Too silent.The only sound was the soft creaking of the chair as he shifted, his wrists burning where the metal cuffs dug into his skin.“Hi sunshine.”The voice seemed to twitch something in him and his heart leapt for joy. “R?”Across from him, R sat leisurely with legs crossed. She looked completely at ease. A cigarette danced in between her fingers which she slowly dragged on like they weren’t both trapped in the belly of a monster.“Sorry, I forgot to thank you for the weed,” she murmured, smirking.Wilson swallowed, his voice rough. “R… Are you okay?”R smirked, tilting her head.Wilson’s gut twisted as he scanned her for any sign of injury. “Did they touch you? We need to get out h
CHAPTER 102R watched Wilson intently till he could bear it no more. She took a drag of her cigarette. “What is it?” He asked slowly.“Would you ever betray me?” she asks.Wilson shook his head and without hesitation he said in a loud and clear voice,“No.”She watched him more closely now. “Even if I betrayed you first?”Wilson’s chest tightened and he didn't answer. Not like he needed to anyway. Why she had asked that question, he didn't know.She nudged his side, her smirk playful. “Ready to break into hell again?”Wilson took another drag of his cigarette and smiled as a wave of relief washed through him,“always. What's our next mission?”“Giovanni's house,” she said simply. Wilson shook his head. “No way.”*.*Wilson pressed a hand against the cold, rough wall as he crouched lower, moving forward carefully. The underground tunnel was dark and the smell of wet earth congested his nostrils.He leaned closely to R whose eyes were fixed on her phone screen as she checked their locat