In the Devil’s Shadow

I found myself crumbling to the ground as I tried managing a seat. How could this be? His mysterious second brother, but I had heard from all that he was a cruel being, more cruel than his brother Dominic De Santos. But if the rumors stood to be true, I couldn't deny the fact that I am alive right now, all because he had rushed me to the hospital.

So, how can such be labeled cruel, and his act also? Those caring eyes, even though I knew that his attitude displayed here today was different, I couldn't help but find a slight care in those eyes.

Was I seeing it this way because I had never received such care from anybody before? Nevertheless, one thing also stood out.

I wanted revenge on Dominic De Santos, and now his brother was here. Wouldn't that just put my life in more danger? Should I really be pulling this deal?

My mind flickered through different thoughts, echoing deep as I found myself lost in a void. On one path stood my revenge, and on the other stood a dangerous path which I was sure could lead to my death if I wasn't careful.

As the few people present for my mom's funeral slowly dispersed, I found myself all alone. I gently stood up and walked to the side where my mom's picture was displayed on the wall.

"I am sorry that I couldn't be there for you, Mom. I am sorry that you died all because of me. I wanted to save you, but it seemed I ended up being the reason for your death. Nevertheless, I am not the only one to blame..."

I said, raising my downcast, sobbing gaze up, glaring at my mom's picture.

"They walk so freely like nothing ever happened. They stomped on our life. How happy things could have gone. How happy our life could have been. But no, it had to all go wrong because of them. I will make them all pay, Mom. I will surely see to it that I get justice for your death. Then, I shall earn the right to apologize to you, Mom. I don't deserve your forgiveness, not until I bring the killers to justice and make them go through the hell that I went through."

I said, wiping the little tears that crumbled down my eyes as my gaze landed on the business card in my hand.

"Adrian De Santos... This can't be it, right, Mother? I know I want revenge, but I just can't. My life has been bound under the grasp of many cruel men. I just can't find myself falling into another, and mostly him, a devil many had said he was.""

I can't judge it all by his strange caring and unreadable side. I had only known him for a minute. I mean, he had only known me for a minute also, and he was here today, offering a marriage contract, yet he refused to let me know why he brought the contract. I was a complete stranger, and he was a well-known billionaire. Why me, of all the other options he had?

He could have simply found another girl to have such a deal with, so why?

I just can't, Mom. I can't. What if the words were true? What if he was the devil himself?

My mind wavered at the very thought. It might all be true, and it might not be true. Nevertheless, I couldn't see myself taking the risk.

If I wanted revenge, I would have to find another way. I just can't simply marry a stranger.

I retracted my eyes away from the business card, releasing a sigh after. As I left, a flickered smile lingered with the very least of despair.

I made my way outside the mortuary, finding myself on the dimly lit streets. The silence that echoed around me was deafening, as not many people were outside. It seemed the night had grown late, and all were presumed to be asleep while I wandered aimlessly on the streets.

I had nothing—no money, no food, and no place to call home. An empty void was all I felt, with all the thoughts roaming in my mind, leaving my head aching in pain.

Mr. Ambrose... Really, I couldn't go back to our house. He wouldn't allow me. Hearing his words after I had called, I was sure he meant them. He saw me as a threat to his life, which could have ended like my mother's death. So, the last thing he would do was allow me to return.

But would he, if I allowed him to have his way with me? Really, am I that desperate to consider such an offer? I spat at his words, yet now I was thinking of begging him for those words back.

If I kept wandering like this without any place to go or anything to eat, I would surely die eventually. I just had to beg him—that was my only option. I had to see to it that he helped me out, no matter what he requested. I just... gosh!

I stumbled to the ground, my hand joining the rough surface as I bled. I rested my back against the wall, my eyes landing on my bleeding hands as I tried to touch it, sending an excruciating pain coursing through my veins, leaving me numb for a few seconds.

I guess I was so lost in my thoughts that I couldn't even manage proper footsteps. Now, these wounds had surely added to the pain. As I tried tearing a piece of my dress to cover up the wounds, my eyes couldn't help but notice three men standing not far from me. Come to think of it, I had seen them while stepping outside the mortuary. Could it be? No, it couldn't.

I gently stood up, managing to walk, my eyes darting back and forth, gazing at them as their footsteps grew nearer. I drifted into an alley, my eyes still glaring at my back, hoping I was wrong—that I wasn't being followed. As I turned, I caught no sight of them anymore.

I couldn't help but feel a slight relief washing over me. I guess I must have been mistaken about being followed. As I tried to tie the cloth around my wound properly, which had almost loosened up again, I decided to continue my path. My only hope was to beg my landlord and see if he could help out—at least providing me with a place to sleep just for tonight. Then, I could think of what to do next.

Limping with each step, I walked through the dark alley. Then, as I arrived at a turn, my legs froze, my face paled, and my eyes caught sight of the same three men who I had presumed were following me earlier, now standing right in front of me. I watched them draw out sharp daggers, their eyes darkening.

My heart pumped, seizing for the moment, as all my mind could echo was 'run.'