THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS

Yasmine's POV

I woke up feeling oddly refreshed like eight hours of sleep had rinsed away the traumatic events of yesterday.

The doubts that had curled tight in my chest last night had loosened.

Maybe it really was just the exhaustion wearing off, or maybe I was just tired of overthinking everything, especially the fact that I made a blank deal with a demon whose condition might turn out to be my life.

Either way, I decided to stop fighting the peace.

I was grateful—grateful that Francis was alive, grateful that we were safe, and that my family had shown up when I needed them most, and that was more than enough.

"Hey, sis. Good morning," Aileen said as she stepped out of her room, smiling softly.

"Morning," I replied.

"You going to the office today?"

I nodded, fastening the last button of my shirt. "Yeah. It’s already Friday, things are calmer now and I trust you to help take care of Francis," I said, a small smile forming on my lips.

"I’m glad you’re easing your mind," she said, opening her arms for a hug.

I stepped into it, nestling in her arms; it was quick but comforting, like the dose of comfort I'd need to head throughout the day, and I then grabbed my bag and headed out.

The cab was already waiting outside. I climbed in, gave the driver the address, and leaned back. My eyes fluttered shut, just for a moment—and there he was again.

That face. . .

Strikingly handsome in a way that didn’t feel real. Jaw sharp enough to cut glass, lips curled in that lazy, almost mocking smile.

But it was his eyes that did it—the kind that looked straight through skin and bone, the kind that knew too much.

Cold and burning at the same time. Like a flame, you wanted to touch just to feel warm, even though it would scorch you down to your soul.

There was something unholy in his beauty, like danger with an otherworldly kind of face that made you want to run—and made you want to stay.

"We're here, ma'am," the driver said, his words cutting through my thoughts.

"Yes, thank you," I said and stepped out of the car into the office, headed straight to my desk, but before I could settle, my boss, Johnson, spotted me.

"Yasmine?" he called out, brows drawn. "Why on earth are you here today?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "I just... it's still Friday, I've worked today," I replied, still surprised by his question.

He shook his head and stood up from behind his desk. "We heard about what happened. Everyone did. You shouldn’t be here. Honestly, it’d be insane if we expected you to come in today."

I opened my mouth to argue, but he raised his hand gently.

"Go home, Yasmine."

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked, leaning in as though his words weren't clear to me.

"Go take care of your husband, that’s where you should be right now, work will wait."

"A—are you sure, I mean, I could stay back to do today's work, I've someone at home taking care of him..." I said, but he shook his head.

"No one should be taking care of your husband but you, not after what happened,"

The kindness in his voice made something pinch behind my eyes, but I smiled, nodding. "Thank you."

I walked out of the office lighter than I’d come in. Maybe today wasn’t for work. Maybe it was meant to be a day to be with Francis.

The cab ride back felt shorter. I didn’t even bother calling ahead. I figured I’d surprise him, maybe we’d talk, or just sit in silence, but at least we get to be together.

As I reached the front door, I smiled to myself, slipping the keys from my bag.

But then I froze.

A low groan echoed from inside, the house. A small frown formed on my face at the trick Francis could be playing, but then, it came again, louder this time—deep and unmistakable.

I stood still, every inch of me going numb. My hand hovered over the doorknob.

No...No, it couldn’t be.

Just as I turned it slightly, a sharp female moan tore through the air, loud and breathy. Too loud. Too familiar.

My heart slammed against my ribs. My knees weakening.

No.

I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want to open that door. But my body moved anyway like it had a mind of its own.

I pushed the door open.

And there they were, Francis and Aileen.

Naked. Entwined.

Fucking like they’d done it a hundred times before.

My breath caught in my throat. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t blink. The world tilted around me, and everything I thought I knew crashed in one sickening moment.

Everything went still as I plopped to the ground, staring at Francis and Aileen cumming almost at the same time.