The Devils Claim

Chapter 6 Caged in the Devil’s Grasp

Katherine glanced at the simple meal in front of her and yelled, "Auntie! What is this? Is this even food? I don't want to eat this! Change it!"

The middle-aged woman, her lips painted a garish crimson like the gaping mouth of a monster, smirked mockingly. "Oh? Acting like a spoiled lady now? If you don't want to eat, then starve for all I care! But when you can't take it any longer tonight… hahaha..."

Her tone carried both mockery and a sinister hint.

That lunatic would return tonight. The very thought of it sent a wave of fury through Katherine. Seething, she grabbed the bowl and hurled it at the woman. "Get out!"

"Aiya! You little wretch, what a temper!" Startled by the flying bowl, the woman jumped back, barely dodging it. Letting out a startled scream, she swiftly shut the door behind her and disappeared without a trace.

Smash!

The sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the silent room, rattling Katherine to her core. Wrapping her arms around herself, she stared at the broken bowl and the scattered food on the floor. Overwhelmed with grief and frustration, tears poured down her face.

Sister! Why does everyone bully me? Why? Even Dad doesn't like me, all because of my mother. Ever since I was a child, everyone has scolded me. Only you ever truly loved me, but now you're gone, and I've lost everything. Sis… sob…"

Over and over, she mumbled "Sis," her voice trembling with fear, helplessness, and despair.

Katherine, barely twenty and not even out of school, had to endure trials no one her age should ever face. The rejection of her family, the death of her mother, and even her brushes with death…

The more she thought about it, the harder she cried, the more wronged she felt. Holding her phone tightly, she scrolled through old photos, letting silent tears fall.

Her stomach ached from hunger, her body weak as she lay sprawled across the enormous bed. Strands of messy hair clung to her damp cheeks as she absentmindedly scratched at her face, her gaze fixed on the tiny sliver of light filtering into the room.

The entire building was eerily silent. No, more than that. The soundproofing of this bedroom was good. No tides. No cries of seagulls. Nothing but suffocating quiet.

This beautiful beachfront villa was nothing more than Katherine's gilded cage.

As night deepened, silence gave way to an all-consuming darkness. Half-conscious, she curled up in bed, her arms wrapped around her stomach, the pain unbearable…

The door creaks open.

Leon stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over her frail form on the bed. His eyes flicked to the overturned food on the floor before returning to the girl who lay there, too weak to even sit up.

His brows furrowed slightly. In that moment, a vision surfaced in his mind—the image of someone else, someone gentle like flowing water, yet stubborn like a child when she was in pain.

But now…

Now, he couldn't see a trace of that stubbornness in Katherine.

Slowly, he stepped closer, his fingers brushing over her delicate features—so small, so fragile. And yet, he despised her existence with every fiber of his being.

Every time he looked at her, his hatred surged, an urge rising in him to destroy her completely.

That deep-rooted loathing.

Uncontrollable.

With slow, deliberate movements, he reached out. With a sharp tear, her clothes were shredded into pieces. A cold, ruthless smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Get up!"

Katherine jolted awake, a terrified scream ripping from her throat. "Ah—!"

Tears streamed silently down her cheeks. Staring at the man before her—the beast who tormented her endlessly—she instinctively curled up, inching backward, her voice trembling. "Dont… don't come any closer… don't…"

For days, she had lived in a state of near hysteria. Just the sight of him made her heart race with fear.

Leon approached her step by step, pressing forward until she was backed against the wall. His eyes gleamed with amusement as he looked her up and down, his voice a low, taunting whisper.

"Hide all you want… but I've already seen everything."

"Stay away…"

"Haha… too late."

Leon was a beast. A monster.

And tonight, he once again claimed her as if she were nothing more than an object.

No amount of pleading stopped him.

In the end, she lay there lifelessly, her body limp, like a doll stripped of its soul, enduring every torment he inflicted upon her.

Pain consumed her, so overwhelming that her voice had long gone hoarse. She turned her face away, silent tears rolling down her cheeks, her entire body trembling violently.

Her complexion was deathly pale.

But she never made a sound.

Even as that madman continued his torment, she refused to break.

Minutes passed before she finally let out a low, ragged whisper—half a growl, half a plea.

"Have you had enough? If you have, then leave!"