The Devil's Deal

​The luxury sedan glided smoothly through the neon-lit, rain-slicked streets of Northwood City. Inside, the silence was heavy, broken only by the soft hum of the engine and the quiet sound of Clara’s uneven breathing.

​Clara kept her hands tightly intertwined in her lap. Her mind was spinning. Just an hour ago, she was starving in a pitch-black cage, waiting for death. Now, she was sitting next to the most powerful and feared man in the city.

​"Drink this."

​Adrian’s cold voice cut through her thoughts. Before she could react, a warm, crystal glass was gently brushed against her trembling knuckles. Clara hesitated, her blind eyes darting nervously toward the sound.

​"It's just water, Clara," Adrian said, an amused, dark undertone in his voice. "If I wanted to poison you, I wouldn't have spent thousands of dollars tracking your location."

​Realizing how pathetic she must look, Clara took the glass with both hands and took a desperate gulp. The cool liquid soothed her parched throat instantly. "How... how did you know where I was?" she asked softly, setting the glass down in the cup holder.

​"Nothing happens in this city without my knowledge," Adrian replied smoothly, his eyes fixed on the dark road ahead. "Especially when it involves Eleanor Mercer. Your dear stepmother has been trying to forge your late father's signature to sell a prime piece of land that belongs to you. A piece of land my empire needs."

​Clara’s heart clenched with raw hatred. Eleanor and Olivia had not only stolen her sight and her passion for the piano, but they were also tearing down her father’s legacy. "They took everything from me," she whispered, her voice shaking with unshed tears. "My eyes... my music... my life."

​"Then take it back," Adrian said, his tone dropping into a low, commanding register.

​The car suddenly came to a halt. Clara heard the click of Adrian’s seatbelt releasing. A moment later, her door opened, and the cold night air rushed in. Before she could panic, Adrian’s powerful arms wrapped around her once more, lifting her effortlessly.

​As he carried her, Clara could hear the sound of heavy glass doors sliding open, followed by the echoing footsteps of what felt like a massive, grand entrance. The air inside smelled of expensive marble polish and fresh white lilies.

​"Welcome to the Vance Manor," Adrian whispered near her ear, his deep voice sending a strange warmth through her skin.

​He placed her down gently, not on a rough floor, but onto a cloud-soft mattress. Clara reached out, feeling the silk sheets beneath her.

​"Master Adrian, the private physician is waiting in the study," a polite, elderly voice spoke from a distance.

​"Bring him up, Dr. Ross," Adrian ordered. He then stepped closer to the bed. Clara could feel his massive, intimidating presence towering over her. "The doctor will examine your eyes tonight. Tomorrow, the contract will be ready."

​Clara swallowed hard, looking up into the darkness where she imagined his eyes to be. "And if the doctor says my eyes can never be cured? Will you throw me back into that warehouse?"

​Adrian leaned down, his gloved hand catching her chin, forcing her face up. His thumb brushed over her bottom lip with a dangerous, slow possessiveness that made her breath hitch.

​"I don't make bad investments, Clara," Adrian whispered, his dark eyes locked on her pale, beautiful face. "Even without your sight, your name alone carries the legal power to destroy Eleanor's plans. But don't worry... I always get what I want. And right now, I want your eyes wide open when we destroy them."

​He released her chin, his footsteps fading as he walked out of the room, leaving Clara alone in the grand, silent bedroom.

​For the first time in weeks, Clara didn't feel like a helpless victim. She wrapped the silk blanket around herself, a cold smile touching her lips. Adrian Vance was a dangerous, ruthless monster—but he was her monster now. And together, they were going to make the Mercer family pay in blood.