Chapter 25: 22

CHAPTER 22

THE DEVIL

Seyren's POV

"This is where he hides his true nature." With Skyler on my team as my police officer, she led me into Liam's basement, where every single one of his dirty secrets lay bare.

I saw pictures of his victims, every single one of them, even the missing woman and our pictures.

"He's a stalker," I murmured, my eyes scanning each picture that was stuck on the wall.

"He is... Fucking creepy shit," Skyler muttered, looking at the other side of the room where there were more photos of us and our team.

I glanced her way and managed to smirk without her noticing.

"That's why we couldn't catch him. He was watching us all along."

You're wrong...

You couldn't catch the killer because she's been with you all along.

With a swift swing of my knife, I ripped the clothes open, taking off Mr. Alvarez's clothes and stuffing them into my backpack along with my weapon.

I created a fake shoe print, wearing 27.6 cm shoes even though my feet were much shorter than that.

"Love~" I whispered in a deep voice, making myself sound like a man. Opening the bathroom door, I saw Azara lying on the ground with two stab wounds in her back.

I carried her in my arms and walked out of the scene with confidence. My face was almost entirely covered; only my eyes were visible, and wearing contact lenses helped to further conceal my identity.

Leaving the scene unnoticed by the crowd, who were preoccupied with the performance, I smirked as I took a glance at my double who pretended to be me.

---

"Seyren!!" I jolted awake when I heard Azara's scream. I quickly got out of bed and followed the noise until I found myself entering the kitchen.

There, I saw her eating an apple with Nutella on top.

Yep, that's Azara Cameron, eight months pregnant and almost due, and it looks like she's having those weird cravings again.

And I know the drill when she's having those cravings: she wants me to eat them too because she likes to see my reaction and laugh at it.

"Eat with me. You're sleeping so soundly just because it's your day off," she snapped at me. I approached her with a smile and accepted the red apple with Nutella without hesitation.

I opened my mouth and asked her to feed me, but she didn't. She just placed the apple slices on the plate.

"Good morning to you too, Mrs. Valencia," I said, then ate the apple. I tried hard not to react because I didn't want to make her laugh and risk her going into labor early.

"I'm a Cameron, stop calling me that." I just nodded and forced myself to swallow what I was eating.

"Good morning to you too, Azalia Sherrah Cameron Valencia," I said, stepping closer and bending down a little to align my face with the big belly of my wife where our baby girl was hiding and would come out any minute, hour, or day.

The name is beautiful, right? Azara thought of it. She took it from her name and mine.

"No, don't kiss that. You haven't brushed your teeth yet," I was about to kiss her tummy, but she pushed me back a bit, grabbing my face and pushing me away.

I just smiled at her while she glared at me.

"Isn't it too early for you to have an attitude? I mean, I'm not invalidating your feelings, but just because you're beautiful doesn't mean you can have an attitude, it's only 5:32 am, love," I teased.

She rolled her eyes at me and turned away.

"If you hate it, then find someone else. You wouldn't be a loss to me-" she suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

I smiled because I knew what her silence meant.

"You think I'm pretty?" She turned around and asked me. I nodded confidently.

She's insecure again. I mean, she always is, but it got worse when she got pregnant.

She's gaining weight because of the kid in her belly, and she hates it. She wants to be sexy while pregnant, which is impossible but became possible for her.

We work out a lot, and I always join her just because I want to.

"I'm not sexy."

"Yes, you are."

"I have no makeup right now, my skin has darkened, my face is round, I can't unhook my own bra or take off my undies because of this kid. You still think I'm pretty?" My brows furrowed, not getting her point when it comes to stripping.

"From the moment I breathe into this world till my body decays and becomes fertilizer for plants, I love you desperately." Her brows furrowed as well.

"What's the connection to beauty there?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to say I love you." She turned to the side, grabbed the knife, and pointed it at me.

"I'm asking you if I'm pretty. I don't want to hear your cliché lines." She said, her voice firm and authoritative, which turned me on.

"You are incomparable, my love. Not even the most beautiful scenery could transcend your beauty." I said in my most gentle voice. My eyes lingered on her, showing how soft I could be when it comes to her.

Only when it comes to her.

"Stop calling me my love, you're still courting me." She snapped, lowering the knife but I stopped her.

I let her point the sharp edge of the knife at my throat and even grinned as I felt the sting and liquid dripping down to my collarbone.

"What the fuck are you doing?" She asked, taking back the knife and no longer holding it. For sure, there's a small cut on my neck but I don't mind it.

My attention, my eyes, my thoughts, and even my soul were focused on what Azara was doing.

She took out a white cloth, approached me, and wiped my neck.

"You're crazy," she whispered, annoyed as I held her waist. I just smiled at her.

"Crazy in love with you, yes. We both know that since I'm in elementary," I said with a grin. She gritted her teeth as she continued to wipe the blood off my neck.

I pointed at the scar on my jaw, a small cut scar from her back when I was in elementary.

Azara knows I'm a psychopath, and she said she hates me because of that, but we both know she likes the opposite of that.

What she hates, she actually likes.

What she likes, she really likes.

She's a complicated person, and that drives me in, pulling me into this pit and letting myself fall.

Everything that happened during those months? Oh baby, it was just a mere play.

It was just me entertaining myself.

"So it did turn into a scar. I thought it was gone? Did you cover it with makeup all these years?" She asked, and I hummed.

I remember clearly how I got this scar.

I cherished that memory after all.

"Help!! Someone please... help... me..." A teenage guy cried out as I stabbed him with my pen.

His blood splattered on my face yet I didn't stop until he ran out of breath.

"Please help me... pfft! No one will help a bully like you, dumbass" I murmured, standing up and wiping the blood off my face with my handkerchief.

How did we end up like this?

Well... The answer is because I saw him harming my woman.

"Are you alright, ate Azara?" I asked the naked teenager in front of me. She watches me go insane so she gets blood splattered on her face as well.

She was on the corner of this room, hugging her knees with her eyes wide open.

She was almost touched in her womanhood because of this kid. I had to take action.

I knelt down in front of her and wiped the blood off her face.

"You're beautiful-" she swung her pen on me kaya nahiwa ako at nagkaroon ng malalim na sugat sa aking baba.

Yet instead of crying out of pain, I smiled and laughed.

I love the pain, it's giving me that kind of tickling feeling inside my stomach.

Looking back at her, I saw her eyes glistened with tears.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, the rain began to pour aggressively. In this little barn where we were, we were covered.

"Let's go home. Bad people like him don't deserve your tears," I said, offering a hand for her to hold.

With a shaky motion, she reached out and took my hand, and we walked out of the barn, letting ourselves get soaked by the rain. The water washed away the dirt from our clothes and faces.

I was nine at the time, and she was fifteen years old. Merely a middle schooler.

"That looks so small compared to the time they stitched it," Azara commented, now staring at my scar.

"Yeah, it's fading as well."

"Why didn't you cry in pain, though? I'm sure it hurt since I cut it pretty deep, and you needed stitches." I smiled and stared into her ocean-blue eyes.

"I don't know. Sometimes I don't feel like a human either," I joked, but half of it was true.

Well, before I got into an accident, I never felt like I was human, but right after I got a heart donor, I always felt these emotions I had never felt before.

"It's pretty obvious..." she murmured, moving away from me and taking something from the drawer.

She pulled out a band-aid with a cow sticker.

"Don't you dare take this off. I'm gonna kill you if you do," she said, looking serious.

"I won't retaliate, Azara. I will never retaliate if it's you who's attacking me." I kept my eyes on hers, loving the way they dilated even though she wasn't staring into mine.

"Do you really love me so much that you're ready to die if I want you to?" she asked, her eyes focused on my neck as she put the band-aid on my wound.

"Though my heart is barren and my mind devoid of empathy, my soul is the one true gift I can offer," I started, smiling widely as her gaze finally met mine.

A genuine smile that no one had ever seen.

"From the moment I first drew breath to my final exhale, my soul is eternally yours. Take it, cherish it, or end it-do as you will. In a life where I cannot command my nature, the unwavering truth remains: my soul belongs solely to you," I said with sincerity.

Without a stutter, a blink, or any movement that could suggest I was lying.

"Cringe," she simply commented before turning around and continuing to eat her weird cravings.

I wanted to hug her so bad, but she didn't want to be touched unless she gave permission.

She had this trauma because of that kid. That brother of Liam, motherfucking Alcantara.

"Get out of my sight, I don't want to see you," that's her new way of saying, "Shut up. I love it when you're being flirty, but shut up."

I didn't want to piss her off any longer because she might go into labor prematurely, so I kept quiet and joined her in eating.

I felt my stomach turn over again because of her weird cravings.

It was worse than my strawberry with Nutella.

But I love this side of her.

I mean, I love every side of her.

360°

"What was that?" Her eyebrow raised when we heard a gurgling sound, and my eyes widened when I realized it was my stomach.

"I'm gonna... I'm just... Fudge!!" I couldn't explain because I felt it coming out. I ran to the bathroom faster than Flash and did number 2.

I heard Azara's laughter, which was really maddening to hear. Even her laughter was music to my ears.

I love this girl so much.

---

"Why are you always walking behind me? Are you a dog?" she snapped, her irritation clear. I was clearly annoying her. We had been on our usual morning walk, a routine that had become a comforting part of our day.

"I'm just looking after you," I replied, trying to keep my tone light and reassuring.

"Do I look old to you? Stand beside me. You're supposed to be the other mother, not some sort of overbearing nanny. Look around-you see those people? They're taking pictures of us," she said, her voice sharp. When I glanced around, she was right; a few onlookers were indeed snapping photos.

I chose to ignore the cameras, focusing instead on Azara. I slipped off my jacket and draped it over her shoulders. I could feel her shivering from the cold, her body trembling slightly.

"I hate being pregnant. I'm not going to have another child after this," she declared, though her words didn't carry the weight of finality. I knew it was her frustration talking.

"You're not really sure about that," I said with a knowing smile. She shot me a dirty look, and I responded with a peace sign, trying to lighten the mood.

We continued our walk through the neighborhood, eventually making our way back to her mansion. The house was now empty since Skyler and my sister Elowen had moved into the new home Skyler had built. I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride knowing I had played a part in bringing them together.

Skyler was, after all, the second child of Verick Jeon-a detail I had picked up through my meticulous observation of my surroundings.

As we walked, Azara suddenly halted, causing me to stop as well. Her face went pale, and her eyes widened with alarm.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my own anxiety rising as I followed her gaze downward.

"OMG... Oh my God," she muttered, her voice trembling. I looked down and felt my heart lurch when I saw the unmistakable sign: her water had broken.

"OMG!" she cried out, her panic clear. Without hesitation, I scooped her up into my arms. Fortunately, we were close to her car.

"Calm down, love. I'm going to get you to the hospital right away," I said, trying to keep my voice steady as I carried her toward the vehicle.

"Oh fuck, Seyren, don't put me in the Lambo. I'll kill you if you do! Use the Audi instead, you idiot," she demanded, her voice strained but filled with urgency. In my flurry of panic, I had forgotten that she wanted to keep her red Lamborghini clean.

Quickly, I placed her in the backseat of her Audi, remembering just in time where I had left the keys. I grabbed them from the front window and sped off toward the hospital.

As soon as we arrived, I yelled out to the nurses that my wife was about to give birth. They rushed to our aid, their efficiency a comforting presence amidst the chaos of the moment.

Inside the sterile, brightly lit room, Azara was placed on the bed. Her pain was evident, her body tensing with each contraction. I squeezed her hand tightly, my own nerves on edge, but determined to stay strong for her. Her grip on my hand was firm, almost as if she was trying to hold on to me as much as I was holding on to her.

"Stay with me, Azara. I'm right here," I said softly, trying to offer as much comfort as possible. She turned her head slightly, her ocean-blue eyes locking onto mine with a mix of desperation and trust.

"No, you better stay with me or I'm gonna ripped your organs off of you." Her empty threat never fails to amaze me.

"I will"

The doctors and nurses worked around us, their movements swift and practiced. The sounds of their professional chatter seemed distant compared to the intense focus I had on Azara.

"You're doing great, love," I encouraged, stroking her forehead gently. She winced and her breathing grew more labored, but her eyes remained fixed on me, drawing strength from my presence.

A nurse moved in to check on Azara, and I watched as the process began. Azara's face twisted in pain, but she gripped my hand even tighter, as if anchoring herself through the agony.

she ang sakit ng grip niya.

I could see the sweat on her brow, the strain in her features, but through it all, there was an unspoken understanding between us-she was pushing through for this moment, for our child.

The room was filled with a tense energy, every second stretching into what felt like an eternity. And then, amidst the flurry of activity, there was a distinct cry-a sound that made my heart leap. I looked up, my eyes meeting Azara's, and in that moment, everything else fell away.

"Congratulations," the doctor said, holding up our newborn for us to see. Azara's exhaustion was replaced with a profound relief, tears streaming down her face. I leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"You did it," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "You were incredible."

The nurse carefully placed the baby in Azara's arms, and she looked down, her face softening with an overwhelming love. I watched as Azara's eyes filled with tears of joy, her earlier pain giving way to the tender, quiet miracle of holding our child for the first time.

As the room settled into a more peaceful quiet, I continued to hold Azara's hand, my heart swelling with an indescribable mixture of love, pride, and relief. The journey had been intense, but now, with our baby in her arms and the two of us together, it felt as if everything had fallen perfectly into place.

After nearly twelve grueling hours, I found myself in a private room at the hospital, my gaze fixed on my wife as she lovingly breastfed our newborn daughter. The quiet of the room was a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous hours.

"Stop staring at me, pervert." she instructed with a hint of embarrassment, clearly aware of my gaze lingering on her exposed breast as she nursed.

"I'm not staring at you; I'm just admiring Azalia," I said honestly, trying to divert my eyes as I moved to clean the table where we'd had our meal. The room was a cocoon of tranquility, punctuated only by the soft sounds of the baby feeding.

"She looks so much like you," I said, a genuine smile spreading across my face.

"Who are you trying to fool? This child looks exactly like you. She only inherited my nose and lips. Even her brown eyes come from you," Azara replied with a playful laugh.

I chuckled along with her. Yes, my eyes are brown, but I've been covering them with charcoal-colored contact lenses for a while now.

"I'm not fooling anyone here, love. She truly resembles you. You two are goddesses," I said, turning back to her and focusing once more on our baby girl, who was nestled contentedly in her mother's arms.

"I'll be a good and loving mother-slash-father to her and a protective and devoted wife to you. I promise that nothing will ever break this vow, not even death," I said, stepping closer and gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

Azara's eyes met mine, and she looked up as I stood by her side. There was a glimmer of anticipation in her gaze, her eyes widening slightly.

"This isn't your child," she said, and I nodded in understanding.

"I know... But I will love her regardless of whether I'm her biological mother or not. Loving you means accepting every part of you-your insecurities, traits, speech, and even this baby. I love every bit of you, which means I love this precious child you brought into the world," I said softly, my voice brimming with sincerity.

As the baby stopped nursing, Azara discreetly covered her breast. I leaned in slightly to get a better view of our daughter, aligning my head with Azara's as I gazed at the tiny face.

"Who's this adorable little angel, huh?" I cooed to the baby, mesmerized by her beautiful eyes, which mirrored mine perfectly.

"I'm your mother-slash-father, Azalia, and I promise to give everything for you and your mama," I said, my heart swelling with love. As I glanced back at Azara, the world seemed to pause for a moment.

In that instant, Azara leaned in and gave me a sudden kiss. It was just a brief touch of her lips, but it had been almost a year since she last kissed me.

"Please be a good wife and mother..." she said, not pleading but making a simple request.

My eyes softened with emotion. I leaned in and kissed her forehead, humming softly in response.

"I'll do everything for you, just tell me what you need," I whispered.

Just then, a nurse arrived to take the baby for a routine check-up. Azara handed the baby over, and I watched intently as the nurse carried her away, my eyes following them until they disappeared down the corridor.

I was jolted out of my thoughts when Azara suddenly slapped my arm, a sharp sting that made me flinch.

"Why?" I asked in surprise, noticing the displeased look on her face.

"Stop staring at someone else, focus on me," she said firmly, her tone authoritative.

I couldn't help but smile at her obvious jealousy.

"Are you jealous?" I asked teasingly.

"Me? Jealous? Pfft, are you kidding? Why would I be? I'm the prettiest girl you can find, and I'm rare. Why would I be jealous of an average woman?" Her words dripped with a mix of confidence and disdain as she lay back on the bed, turning her back to me.

"Can we cuddle?" I asked, shifting the subject to lighten the mood.

She glanced at me with a disapproving look. I responded with a sweet smile and my best puppy-dog eyes.

"Fine... Pero ilang minuto lang then get off me, I don't like your perfume." she relented, moving slightly to make room for me on the bed.

I lay down beside her and, in one smooth motion, I gently placed her on top of me, allowing her to rest comfortably against my chest.

"What are you doing?" she asked in surprise. I simply grinned and wrapped my arms around her.

I buried her face in my neck and let her feel the warmth of my body, savoring the closeness.

"You know I'm only soft with you, right?" I asked softly, and she hummed in response, her breath warm against my skin.

She didn't resist when I embraced her; instead, she nestled closer, hugging me back.

"I'll answer your question from the aircraft before our extreme skydiving experience," I began, my voice low and intimate.

"Do you trust me?" I asked, my eyes searching hers.

"I always trust you," she replied without hesitation, her voice steady.

"Good, worry not because aabutin ko ang pangarap natin. I'll take care of it from now on." She just hummed when I said that.

In that quiet moment, with the world outside and the future uncertain, we found solace in each other's arms. It was a perfect, serene pause in the chaos, a reminder that despite everything, we were together and stronger than ever.

I was feeling drowsy, the kind of heavy fatigue that makes you want to surrender to sleep. Before I knew it, Azara and I had both drifted off into a deep slumber.

I was jolted awake by the distinct sound of a camera shutter. When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Skyler, who had a camera in hand and was capturing the serene moment between Azara and me.

It was quite surprising to see Skyler and Elowen here.

"When did you two arrive?" I asked, my voice rough from sleep. I found myself sprawled on the hospital bed, gently spooning Azara, who was nestled comfortably and sleeping soundly.

I carefully extricated myself from her embrace, making sure not to disturb her. I stretched my limbs, trying to shake off the lingering grogginess.

"We just got here. Skyler couldn't resist investigating the woman found on Mr. Legazpi's farm," Elowen explained, her expression showing a mix of concern and curiosity. I couldn't help but frown, genuinely intrigued by the mention of this woman.

"Seyren, we've located Mariz Serrano-the witness from the hotel incident. She was discovered in a terrible state, covered in blood, and appeared to have been held captive and inadequately cared for," Skyler continued. Typically, I wouldn't be this shaken by such news, but today felt different. My heart was racing, almost as if it was about to burst.

"Really? Where is she now?" I asked, trying to mask my anxiety with feigned concern and surprise.

"She's at a public hospital and seems to be suffering from amnesia. She doesn't remember her identity or her past," Elowen said. I nodded, processing the information.

"Have you seen the baby yet?" I asked, steering the conversation to a lighter topic. Both Skyler and Elowen shook their heads.

"You can visit the nursery room. Our baby is in the left corner on the fourth floor," I instructed, pointing in the direction. They thanked me and left eagerly, excited to see our newborn.

As soon as they were gone, I sank into the nearby sofa. I pulled out my phone and began scrolling through news articles. It wasn't long before I found an update on Mariz.

I felt a strange mix of emotions-just moments ago, I was anxious, and now I found myself chuckling at the absurdity of it all.

Why did Mariz suddenly reappear after a year of being missing?

The answer was simple.

I had let her go.

Because I was ready to move forward and pursue the dreams we had put on hold. This unexpected turn of events was just a part of the journey, and now, with Mariz's reappearance, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination.

"You sure are tough, young lady"

My voice echoed through the dim, cavernous underground space as I emerged from a shadowed corner.

I stepped into view in front of the young woman, but my face was obscured by a mask and cap, designed to keep my identity hidden from her. I approached with a purposeful stride, the soft scuff of my footsteps the only sound in the stillness.

"You've been here for a year now. Do you want to leave?" I asked, my tone measured but firm. The girl nodded eagerly, her eyes betraying a mix of hope and fear.

She couldn't speak, of course. Not unless I permitted her to. Her silence was part of the arrangement-a precaution, to ensure that her compliance remained absolute.

Mariz's disappearance had always been calculated, a piece of a larger strategy. I wasn't going to just let her go because she had been a witness. My plans were intricate, and every move was designed to serve a greater purpose.

"You know what to do, right?" I continued, crouching down to meet her gaze. "Pretend to have amnesia. You are no longer Mariz; you are the God Emissary's little puppy." I gripped her chin firmly, ensuring she understood the gravity of the situation. She nodded with a mix of defiance and admiration.

It was almost amusing how she could still admire me despite the harsh realities I had imposed upon her. Her admiration was curious, as if she saw something admirable in the very worst of me.

She truly believed I might be interested in someone like her, despite her unfortunate position.

Yes, I have a penchant for delicate and soft personalities, but my affections are reserved for my wife, who holds my heart more completely.

In the world I have crafted-one where I dominate every aspect-I desired to experience a different dynamic, to relinquish control and be submissive. Azara understood how to balance my dominance with her own strength, keeping me in check just as I did with her.

"Make sure to stay quiet, okay?" I said, ruffling her hair with a mixture of tenderness and finality before unlocking her chains.

Mariz leaned in and pressed a brief, awkward kiss to my cheek before she turned to leave. Her movements were labored, as it was the first time she had walked in days due to the restraints that had bound her legs. The struggle was evident in her every step.

I watched her as she moved towards the exit, her figure silhouetted against the harsh, artificial lights of the underground. The sight of her walking out, finally free from her confines, was oddly satisfying.

As she emerged from the shadowy depths and into the daylight of the garage, I continued to observe, ensuring she made her way out without incident. The finality of her departure marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another in my complex web of influence.

This is merely the outset of my relentless drive to fulfill our shared dream.

I claim dominion over this world until the very end of my existence. Every breath I take will be dedicated to shaping it according to my vision. I intend to transform this world into a place of true justice and purity, free from the taint of sin and the presence of malevolent forces. The devils, in their wickedness, will be consigned to hell, and their influence will no longer mar the lives of the innocent.

I am not the divine messenger, but I will stand as the supreme representative of higher principles. My role is not to be an envoy of God but to act in His stead, enforcing a moral order and bringing about a new era.

In this grand design, I embrace my role fully.

I am the Devil.

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