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Chapter 28 - A Frantic Chase
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2024-12-16 02:08:00“Who the hell are these people?!” Ayra yelled, her voice raw with unfiltered panic.
Lucian didn’t answer immediately, his focus on the cars chasing them. When he finally spoke, his words were clipped. "Funnily enough, I also want to know.”
Her hands curled into fists. “They were after me before you showed up! Why?”
Lucian glanced at her, his eyes dark, angry. But she felt he wasn't angry at her - at least not right now. “Why don’t you tell me?”
The SUV pulled onto a highway, the speedometer climbing as the driver tried to put distance between them and their pursuers.
Lucian’s jaw was tight, his knuckles white as he gripped his weapon.
The SUV weaved through the traffic at an alarming pace, the hum of the engine growing louder as it accelerated further.
Lucian leaned forward, his jaw clenched and his eyes scanning the road ahead.
Ayra sat frozen in the backseat, gripping the edge of her seat tightly, the adrenaline coursing through her leaving her both terrified and acutely aware of her surroundings.
Behind them, the three pursuing vehicles maneuvered with unnerving coordination.
Ayra watched in horror as one car pulled up to their left, another sped up on their right, and the third remained directly behind.
Lucian’s eyes darted to the side mirrors. His fingers gripped the weapon tighter.
“They’re trying to box us in, sir! I'm going to attempt to make a hole!” the driver shouted, his voice strained.
Lucian pulled Ayra into his embrace the very next second, the suddenness of his actions leaving her with no time to react and sending a mild scent of cologne drifting into her nostrils.
She tried to struggle out of his arms but his grip was firm.
"Stay still and hold on," Lucian said, the gentleness in his tone surprising Ayra.
The driver tightened his grip on the wheel, his knuckles almost as pale as Lucian’s. But he was an old hand at this.
It wasn't his first time driving for The Director.
The SUV veered left, hard, fast. The tires squealed in protest as the driver slammed the side of the car into the sedan attempting to entrap them.
Metal screeched against metal. Ayra yelped, her body lurching sideways as the impact threw her against the door.
Lucian held her tight, his arms the only safe place in the world it seemed, as he cushioned her with nary a grunt.
The sedan didn’t stand a chance. The lighter car spun out, its tires shrieking as it skidded across the asphalt. Seconds later, it slammed into the guardrail with a deafening crunch.
“One down,” the driver muttered, though his voice carried no triumph.
"Are you okay?" Lucian whispered into her ear, making her start with surprise.
"Yes. Yes, I'm fine," she said, pausing. "Thank you."
The car on their right surged forward, gunning for the open stretch ahead. Simultaneously, the vehicle behind them accelerated, its bumper kissing theirs with an audible thud. The jolt rattled Ayra’s teeth.
Lucian gave her a little pat.
“Get down. Now.”
She obeyed without question and slid down in her seat until she was half-curled in the footwell. Her pulse roared alongside the car as it SUV swerved again.
The driver edged closer to the second car, forcing it to the shoulder, but the move left little room to maneuver.
The pursuing car behind them struck again, harder this time, causing the SUV to fishtail briefly.
Lucian shot at the offending vehicle, shattering its windshield and making it go off course as its driver sought to dodge.
Ayra braced herself, gripping whatever she could as the vehicle zigzagged between lanes. Horns blared around them, angry drivers swerving to avoid the chaos.
The pursuers faltered, but only for a moment.
Up ahead, traffic thickened, a wall of red brake lights glowing like a warning. The driver spotted an exit ramp at the last second.
Without hesitation, he veered sharply to the right, tires screeching as the SUV skidded onto the ramp.
The pursuing cars hesitated just long enough to give them a sliver of breathing room. Lucian’s sharp voice cut through the cabin. “There’s some cover in the trees ahead. You see it?”
The driver nodded tightly. “Yeah.”
"We have a safe house nearby. Drop us off."
The driver gave a curt nod.
As the ramp curved, the SUV slowed dramatically, the engine growling in protest. Ayra blinked up from her crouched position, confusion and fear warring in her chest.
“What’s going on?” she asked, her voice cracking. She'd never been in such a situation before and it was telling. She was scared and panicked and-
“Trust me,” Lucian said. Before she could press him, he was out of his seatbelt, moving fast.
He yanked her arm, pulling her to him, and this time, Ayra didn't resist. He swept a hand behind her knees and got her into a half princess carry.
"Open the door," he said.
Before she could even register what she was doing, she had yanked open the door behind him. With nary a delay, he jumped out with her in his arms.
The SUV was still moving when they hit the ground. The impact knocked the wind out of her, and for a moment, everything was pain—sharp, jarring, relentless pain.
Lucian cushioned her fall, his arm braced around her. They rolled together into the ditch, gravel biting into her palms as they skidded to a stop. Ayra gasped, sucking in air as her body trembled.
“Come on, we've got to move.” Lucian’s voice snapped her back into focus. He pulled her to her feet, half-dragging her toward the treeline.
But Ayra was tuckered out. A second later he simply carried her princess style and sprinted for the trees.
Behind them, the SUV sped off, its driver continuing the ruse. The pursuing cars gave chase, unaware their targets had abandoned ship.
Ayra stumbled after Lucian, her legs weak and unsteady. The forest swallowed them quickly, the dense canopy above blocking out the harsh glow of the afternoon sun.
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The Devil's Game Chapter 29 - A Gas Station
When they got away from the road, Lucian put Ayra on her feet. The dense foliage offered some respite from the open road, but Ayra’s lungs burned as she struggled to keep up with Lucian’s long strides. He slowed only slightly, his hand gripping her wrist to ensure she didn’t fall behind.After what felt like eternity they emerged onto a narrow dirt road. Ayra doubled over, gasping for breath, but Lucian didn’t let her rest for long.“We've arrived,” he said, pointing to a dilapidated gas station a short distance away. Its flickering neon sign cast an eerie glow over the otherwise desolate area.Ayra followed him silently, her legs trembling with exhaustion. He was all but carrying her once more, honestly. The gas station was quiet, fluorescent lights overhead casting a harsh glare over the aisles of dusty merchandise. Lucian led her toward the back, keeping a careful eye on the door.“You can sit,” he said, gesturing to a worn-out bench near the restrooms.Ayra sank onto the bench a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-16The Devil's Game Chapter 30 - More than a Gas Station
"Believe it or not, I don’t want to see you hurt," he said quietly. His words hit Ayra harder than she expected, leaving her momentarily speechless. She wanted to argue, to push him away, to remind him that he was the reason she was running in the first place. But the words wouldn’t come. Not when his touch was so careful. His voice so steady, and his actions so at odds, with the image of him she’d built in her head. With the literal monster she had pegged him for. Confused, she remained silent for the remainder of the treatment."All done," Lucian said, sitting back on his heels as he finished wrapping her arm in a neat bandage.Ayra glanced down at his work, then back at him. "Thank you," she mumbled. Then wanted to hit herself upside the head. Why mumble the thanks?!Lucian simply nodded, standing to return the first-aid kit to its place. Ayra watched him move, her mind racing with emotions she couldn’t quite name. She hated that she felt grateful to him. She hated the way his k
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-18The Devil's Game Chapter 31 - Who He Is
It seemed that, finally, she had a moment of peace. It was ironic, actually. She had never felt safe these past few days. Not at the cabin, where the thought of her father finding her occupied her nights and a faint anxiety that her hideout had been found suffusing her days. Yet to find peace with Lucian of all people. What a joke. The moment of peace didn’t last long. A soft knock on the door startled her, but before she could respond, Lucian pushed it open. He leaned casually against the doorframe, holding a deck of cards she’d noticed earlier in the living room. He had changed as well, now wearing a plain white t-shirt that clung to his lean frame and a pair of dark gray sweatpants that looked oddly casual on him. Lucian's hair was damp, suggesting he had showered as well, and the sharp demeanor he usually exuded seemed to have softened.“Didn’t think you’d wait for permission?” Ayra said dryly, eyeing him.Lucian gave a soft smile, holding up the cards and shaking them. “Th
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-18The Devil's Game Chapter 32 - Thoughts of Isa
Lucian left Ayra’s room with his hands tucked in his pockets and let the door click shut behind him. He leaned back against the wall, eyes closed, exhaling a long, shuddering breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding. Relief coursed through him like a drug. He took a deep breath, and his shoulders sagged as if he had been holding himself upright through sheer willpower for days. Which he had been, in a way. The relief coursing through him was almost palpable. He had finally found her - or at least, someone he was now convinced was Isa.There was no one thing that convinced him, and perhaps he had rushed to a conclusion, but heaven knows he believed it with all his heart. His lips quirked upward in a rare, unguarded smile - small, almost imperceptible, but simply happy. He ran a hand through his dark hair, pushing it back as his thoughts raced. Every moment they’d just shared replayed in his mind like a precious memory he wanted to hoard.Ayra was so much like Isa it wasn't e
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-20The Devil's Game Chapter 33 - Slipping Away
Lucian abandoned the whiskey entirely, pushing the glass away and capping the bottle with an air of finality. It had tasted wrong anyway. Instead, he paced the small kitchenette, his mind a whirlwind of emotions and plans. What came next? How could he ensure her safety without scaring her off? How could he make her see that he wasn’t the enemy she thought him to be?Lucian paced the small kitchenette, his hands restless. Memories of Isa kept flashing in his mind and they were overwhelming. The way her eyes used to light up when she smiled, the way she always managed to keep him grounded when his world threatened to spiral out of control. She had been his anchor; more than he'd realized. Losing her had felt like losing a part of himself.Isa had been what made him human. He stopped pacing and leaned heavily against the counter, his head bowed. He didn’t realize his hands were trembling until he looked down and saw them. He clenched them and reached into his pocket for a pack of c
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-20The Devil's Game Chapter 34 - A Drive
The car hummed softly as it cut through the quiet, winding roads. The early morning sunlight danced across the sleek hood of the vehicle. It glinted like liquid gold as they sped past rolling fields and sparse woodlands. Ayra glanced out the passenger window, the world beyond passing by in a blur. She felt oddly relaxed.Lucian was focused, his hands steady on the wheel. He hadn’t said much since they left the safehouse, which wasn’t unusual for him, and it wasn’t like it was uncomfortable either. Lucian had this way of making silence seem less awkward and more deliberate. Like it wasn’t just an absence of words but a space to breathe.Ayra wasn't sure how that worked or why those words popped into her head either. She stole a glance at him, taking in his sharp profile. His jaw was set, his expression unreadable, but there was a calmness to him that she hadn’t noticed before. He looked... almost at peace.“Do you ever talk while you drive, or is this some kind of meditative thing
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-21The Devil's Game Chapter 35 - More of the Same
No one had been around when Ayra stepped through the doors to her house. One of two servants were within the estate grounds but avoided Ayra like the plague.Hours passed with neither her father nor Lisbeth coming back and so she decided to simply go to bed. It was better than staying awake to be tormented by the dread of confronting the two. ....Ayra stirred from her sleep and the very next second, the sound of the door slamming against the wall jolted her awake. The warm cocoon of dreams shattered, leaving her blinking in confusion as the harsh light from the hallway poured into the room.Ayra shot up in bed, her heart racing, disoriented by the sudden intrusion. She squinted in the dim light, trying to make sense of the figure standing in the doorway. It was Lisbeth."Ayra!" Lisbeth’s voice was sharp, cutting through the stillness like a whip.Ayra blinked, still groggy from sleep, and rubbed her eyes, trying to shake the remnants of her dreams. She sat up slowly, feeling the co
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-22The Devil's Game Chapter 36 - Midnight Frustrations
As the sound of Lisbeth’s footsteps faded, Ayra sank back onto the bed, her body trembling with the effort of holding herself together. The room felt suffocatingly quiet now, the echoes of their argument still ringing in her ears.Her hands shook as she rubbed her face, trying to steady her breathing. Every word Lisbeth had said replayed in her mind, cutting deeper with each repetition.For the first time, Ayra felt a burning hatred toward her sister. It wasn’t just anger or frustration - it was something darker, something more final.She thought of her mother. Of the quiet strength and teachings she’d tried to pass on to Ayra; of the way she’d always managed to keep her safe even when everything was falling apart.She thought of her mother's death. Her cold, stiff corpse lying forlornly on the asphalt, blood pooling beneath her.And now Lisbeth had trampled all over her memory, reducing her to nothing more than a failure.And Ayra found within herself a rapidly blooming hatred and d
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-23
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The Devil's Game Chapter 62 - Playing with Fire
The message came just before dinner.Leon: Had a great time chatting today. Wouldn’t mind another round—this time, somewhere quieter?Ayra sat back on the plush sofa of her sitting room, twirling the phone in her fingers. She had been expecting him to reach out. Encouraging it, even. Yet, staring at the message, she hesitated. The line between playing a game and getting caught in it was dangerously thin.But Lucian had yet to react to anything she’d done. Not the staff replacement, not the disorder she’d caused in the estate, not even her blatant attempts to provoke him. He remained distant, untouchable, as though she didn’t even exist. It burned.Maybe this would be the thing to get under his skin.She typed her response carefully.Ayra: I wouldn’t mind that. Where do you suggest?His reply came within moments.Leon: I know a private lounge near the East District. Great wine, even better company.She smiled faintly. He was charming, smooth. Just enough to make this easier.Ayra: Send
The Devil's Game Chapter 61 - Another Phase
The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the city as Ayra stepped out of the car, the sleek black vehicle blending seamlessly with the polished luxury of the district. The streets here were lined with designer boutiques, private lounges, and high-end cafés—places that oozed exclusivity, where only the elite could afford to linger. It was the kind of setting she had been raised in for the later part of her life, yet now, standing before one of the finest cafés in the city, she felt strangely like an outsider.The café, Bellaria, was known for its privacy and refinement. It wasn’t a place for loud conversation or rushed meetings; here, the rich came to drink imported coffee, discuss business, and subtly flaunt their power. It was exactly the kind of place Lucian would be seen in.That was part of the reason she had come.Ayra pushed open the glass door, a small bell chiming above her head. Inside, the space was decorated in dark wood and gold, the air rich with the scent of roasted co
The Devil's Game Chapter 60 - A Thorn in His Side
Nico stepped into Lucian’s office, the weight of his report pressing down on him. The room was dimly lit, the glow of the evening cityscape filtering through the large windows behind the man seated at the desk. Lucian didn’t look up immediately, his attention fixed on the documents before him, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished wood.“Speak,” Lucian said, his voice low, controlled.Nico took a slow breath before delivering the news. “It’s about Ayra.”Lucian’s fingers stilled. He finally looked up, his expression unreadable. “What did she do now?”“She’s replaced the staff.”Silence.Lucian leaned back in his chair, studying Nico with an eerie calm. “Come again?”Nico’s jaw tightened. “She fired the entire estate staff. Threw them out and replaced them with her own people. None of the original staff are left. Worse, they refuse to return.”Lucian’s gaze snapped up. “Refuse?”Nico hesitated, then nodded. “They’re scared, boss.”Lucian scoffed, leaning back in his cha
The Devil's Game Chapter 59 - Come to Talk
By the time the dust settled, the house was eerily quiet.The last of the protesting staff had been escorted off the premises, their voices still ringing in Ayra’s ears.The replacement staff stood awkwardly near the foyer, waiting for orders. But Ayra had none to give.She should have felt victorious.She had made her statement. She had taken control.But all she felt was exhaustion.The butler was the only one who hadn’t been forcibly removed. He still stood by the staircase, arms clasped behind his back. Unlike the others, he hadn’t fought. He hadn’t shouted.And that made him all the more annoying.Ayra met his gaze, a strange tension hanging between them.“You’re still here,” she observed.“I am,” he replied.“I told you to leave.”“You told them to leave,” he said with an insipid little look on his eye. “But you did not fire me.”Ayra exhaled through her nose. “Do you really think Lucian would let me? Would he be happy if I did so?”The butler smiled slightly, but it was devoid o
The Devil's Game Chapter 58 - Use of Force
To be fair, Ayra hated this.Hated how cruel and bothersome she had to be.But if Lucian refused to acknowledge her, then she had to force his attention. No matter how ugly it got.....When Ayra stepped into the grand foyer, the staff had already gathered. There were more of them than she had realized—over a dozen pairs of wary eyes turned toward her as she entered.She could feel their resentment like a thick fog in the air.She took her place on the marble staircase, gripping the banister tightly before speaking. “You all had a day to leave,” she began, her voice cold. “And yet, you’re still here.”The butler took a step forward, his face unreadable. “As we have stated, madam, we serve the master of the house. Not you.”Ayra let out a quiet breath. She had expected this.“Fine,” she said smoothly. “If you won’t leave willingly, then I’ll make you.”At her cue, the front doors swung open.A group of people stepped inside, dressed in crisp serving uniforms, their expressions neutral.
The Devil's Game Chapter 57 - What it Means to Escalate
Ayra sat at the breakfast table, untouched tea growing cold before her. The silence in the house had become suffocating. No matter what she did, no matter how much she tried to stir the waters, Lucian remained utterly indifferent. He ignored her tantrums, her disruptions, her passive-aggressive antics. He had locked her in this gilded cage and simply left her to rot, acting as if she didn’t exist.Fine.She set her cup down with deliberate care and rose to her feet. Without hesitation, she strode out of the dining room, her silk robe flowing behind her. The butler was walking past.“Stop,” she commanded.The butler paused, turning to her with polite detachment. “Madam?”Ayra folded her arms across her chest, lifting her chin slightly. “I want you to inform the staff that they are all fired.”The butler’s expression didn’t shift, but his silence stretched for a moment too long.“They have until the end of the day to pack their things and leave,” she continued. “I don’t want to see a si
The Devil's Game Chapter 55 - Call to Chaos
Two days later Ayra lay sprawled on the plush velvet chaise lounge in her room, her fingers drumming impatiently on the armrest. The air in the house had grown heavier over the past two weeks. The polished floors gleamed, the scent of fresh flowers filled the halls, and every detail of the house was maintained to perfection—yet it felt like a lifeless shell. The staff worked diligently, moving about as if on eggshells around her, but no matter what Ayra did, they remained unwavering. Frustrated and angry, yes, but unwavering. Perhaps Lucian paid them more to put up with her antics. She wasn’t going to be ignored. If Lucian refused to engage, if the staff refused to react, then she would create a situation that could not be brushed aside.There came in Pedro.He was one of the few people from her mother’s past that Ayra had ever met. He was an old acquaintance, someone who she'd known since she was little. He wasn’t exactly a friend, but he had been there, lingering in the backgroun
The Devil's Game Chapter 54 - A Plan in motion
This became a pattern for a brief while.Lunch? Too cold.Dinner? Not what she wanted anymore.Snacks? She changed her mind after they were made.She sent dishes back multiple times a day, forcing the kitchen staff to remake meals repeatedly before she would eat just enough to keep them from outright rebelling.Within days, the tension in the household thickened. The butler was visibly on edge, the chef was snapping at the assistants, and the maids were whispering amongst themselves in frustration.By the fifth day, the head butler had had enough.Ayra was lounging in the parlor, flipping through a book she had no intention of reading, when he approached. His posture was stiff, his jaw tight—yet he remained respectful.“Madam, forgive my boldness, but may I ask if something is troubling you?”Ayra looked up, feigning innocence. “Troubling me? Not at all.”The butler’s eyes twitched ever so slightly. “Then may I ask why the staff has had to remake your breakfast four times this morning?
The Devil's Game Chapter 53 - The Art of Inconvenience
It started with breakfast.The chef prepared the usual—a beautifully plated meal of toast, eggs, and fruit, presented with meticulous care. But as soon as the plate was placed in front of her, Ayra wrinkled her nose.“This isn’t what I wanted,” she said casually, pushing the plate away.The maid hesitated. “Madam, this is what you requested yesterday.”“Did I?” Ayra tilted her head, frowning. “I don’t remember. But I’m not in the mood for this today. Make me something else.”The staff exchanged glances, but after a slight hesitation, the maid nodded. “Of course.”Twenty minutes later, a fresh plate of food was brought to her. She picked at it, took a single bite, and sighed. “This is too salty. Can you make it again?”The chef’s patience visibly thinned, but they couldn’t refuse her. She was Lucian’s wife, after all, and despite the slight disregard they had for her, their orders had been to serve her and make her comfortable.But Ayra was just getting started. Breakfast the next day
