The Devil Who Bought Me のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 31 - チャプター 40

Her phone slipped from her fingers and landed on the bed with a muted thud. She sat there for a moment, listening to the rapid, uneven rhythm of her breathing. Her mind played the words her strange caller had repeated over and over again. She couldn't get it off her mind. Interested in her husband’s business. And in her.She shivered subconsciously and rubbed her arms. She had a premonition that something bad was going on and whatever it was it was terrible. The smell of danger hung around the air making it suffocating and difficult to breathe. She was panicking. That wasn’t just a threat—it was a promise. Natalie pushed up from the mattress and crossed to the door, locking it with a sharp click. The last thing she needed was Anita—or anyone—walking in right now. She needed space to think and plan. She grabbed her phone again, quickly scrolling through her contacts. Her thumb hovered over Lorenzo’s number, but she stopped herself. If he was in the middle of… whatever this was… c

Natalie stepped into the bare, echoing space that would soon become her studio. The smell of fresh paint lingered in the air, mingling with the faint traces of sawdust from the newly installed shelves. Fiona was already there, animatedly gesturing toward the far wall where she envisioned a display of crystal perfume bottles. “This,” Fiona declared, pointing to a corner bathed in sunlight, “will be your mixing station. Natural light, perfect for inspiration.” Natalie gave a small smile. This motivation was.... New. Anita, Natalie’s efficient PA, was deep in conversation with two interior decorators—both of whom Natalie had hired on Fiona’s recommendation. They were debating fabric swatches for the curtains, their voices rising and falling like an odd background melody. Natalie allowed herself a small smile. This place, for all its empty floors and exposed wires, felt like hers in a way nothing else had in months. Fiona had a vision, and Natalie was more than happy to let her run

She sat down beside him, carefully examining his features. She wanted to find out what he was thinking, but his face was an unreadable mask. Her aunt was gushing, seemingly excited. Isolde just sat beside her with an indifferent look. Leila wasn't at the table and inwardly Natalie was grateful for that. Lucian was seated also. Together with Lorenzo's parents. "I'm so honored to be here, " her aunt began "and I'm just glad you're taking care of Natalie . She's hard a terrible time growing up. This is a welcome change from where she's used to." her aunt said. Natalie cringed as she remembered her childhood. So much trauma.Madame de Luca smiled tightly. It was obvious she didn't take well to her aunt. Natalie was slightly worried. She needed they to like her. Aunt Zulu was the closest thing to a family that she had left. She thought back to Lorenzo's words but shook it off. Her aunt would never do anything bad to her. She adored her. She couldn't say much for Isolde because she wa

"You took quite long" Esmeralda drawled sprawled across the couch in the hotel room Viktor had rented for them both. Isolde also known as Isabella stood across from her, her face expressionless and stoic. it was why she liked her. She didn't ask unnecessary questions and did what was ordered. "We didn't get invited until much later, ma'am" she responded politely. "Esmeralda brows raised. "Really?" she sighed. "so what have you got? " she asked. "Nothing much, as it was only the first meeting. But I believe there's a bit of tension between both of them. They didn’t seem to quite agree on anything. And... " she trailed off. Esmeralda rolled her eyes. "What are you looking forward to? continue" she prodded. "Natalie's venturing into her own business. A perfume enterprise. Apparently she's planning to enter into a competition to get funds to finance her business." she said. Esmeralda's ears perked up at that. "Did you say business? With all the De Luca fortune? she still finds i

The next morning, Natalie found herself pacing the study where Lorenzo sat, his expression unreadable as he scanned the letter Fiona had submitted. He'd called her in that morning, before she prepared to go to the studio. His assistant, Marco stood in the corner watching silently. Sometimes Natalie felt like he was more dangerous than his boss. He never said much. They hardly even spoke but there was this fleeting moment where she felt like if given the chance he'd strangle her with his bare hands. (it wasn't far from the truth). But it was usually fleeting with no lasting effects. Lorenzo's demeanor right now was her only concern. He leaned back in his chair, the soft leather creaking, and steepled his fingers.“So,” he said at last, his voice cool but edged with something Natalie couldn’t quite place, “she’s decided to resign.”Natalie swallowed. “Yes. She… she wants to help me with the perfume business. She believes in me. I don't see anything wrong with that." Lorenzo’s eyes lif