A Deal With the Devil
1216 Words
Chapter 5
Claire's POV
I stared at Evans, the weight of his words crashing down on me.
His dark, piercing eyes watched me like a predator waiting for its prey. My chest tightened, and I tried to steady my breathing, but the lump in my throat made it impossible.
“I... I can’t do this,” I whispered slowly, getting up from my knees, stepping back. My voice was shaky, but I forced the words out. “I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you. I’ll pay you back, somehow, just not this.”
His expression didn’t change. Cold. Calculated. Like he already knew my answer. “And how exactly do you plan to pay me back, Claire? Do you have the money now?”
I swallowed hard, shaking my head. “I’ll find a way,” I said, though I didn't even believe it.
“You don’t have a way,” he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone. “Look at your life. You’re drowning, Claire. This is your lifeline, and you’re about to throw it away.”
Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to cry in front of him. I couldn’t let him see how broken I felt, how desperate I truly was.
“I’ll figure it out,” I said, my voice trembling. “I don’t need your help.”
Without waiting for his response, I turned and walked toward my door. I could feel his eyes burning into my back, but I didn’t stop.
Once inside, I slammed the door shut and leaned against it, finally letting the tears fall. How did my life come to this?
A fake marriage? A loveless contract? That’s not what I wanted. Growing up, I promised myself I’d have a real family, one filled with love and happiness. Not this.
But now… now I am pregnant. The thought made my knees buckle. I slid to the floor, clutching my stomach.
How could I bring a child into this chaos? How could I raise a baby when I couldn’t even take care of myself?
Though working for a prestigious company with good pay, a job I had only recently gotten. But my parents had left me alone in this world with a huge debt I have been paying off since I was in college.
I sobbed into my hands, the reality of my situation crushing me. For a moment, I thought about telling Evans the truth.
But what would he do? Use it against me? Or perhaps trap me even further?
No, I couldn’t tell him. Not yet.
***********
The next morning, I dragged myself out of bed, my head pounding from crying all night. I didn’t want to face the day, but I had no choice. At work, I avoided Evans as much as I could. Every time I heard his name, my stomach twisted into knots.
By midday, an email from the CEO popped into my inbox.
Subject: Your Final Chance
Message: You have until the end of the day to decide. After that, my offer was off the table.
My hands shook as I read it. He was serious. He wasn’t going to wait forever. I stared at the screen with a racing heart.
What was I supposed to do? Say yes to a life I didn’t want? Or risk losing everything?
That evening, there was a knock at my door. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. I already knew who it was.
I opened the door to find Evans standing there, his face unreadable. He didn’t wait for an invitation, stepping inside like he owned the place.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“You’ve had enough time,” he said, his tone cold and final. “What’s your decision?”
“I told you,” I said, stepping back. “I can’t do this.”
“And I told you,” he shot back, his voice rising. “You don’t have a choice.”
I clenched my fists, trying to stay calm.
“You can’t force me into this. I’m not some pawn in your game, sir.” I said, my voice was shivering. He was still my boss, who paid me monthly.
I needed to be respectful.
He let out a bitter laugh. “You think this is a game? Look around you, Claire. You’re one step away from losing everything. I’m offering you a way out.”
“I don’t want your way out!” I snapped, tears streaming down my face. “I want my life back! I want to be free!”
“Free?” he repeated, his eyes narrowing. “Do you even know what that means anymore? Because from where I’m standing, you’re already trapped. I’m just giving you a way to survive.”
His words hit me like a slap. He was right. As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. But that didn’t make this any easier.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I just… I can’t.”
He stepped closer, his eyes locking onto mine. “You’re running out of time, Claire. Make your choice, how would you pay me back?”
I stood there, shaking, unable to speak. The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating.
“I'll find a way to pay you. Just give me time, weeks or months. I don't know, all I know is I need time, please.” I said while sobbing.
Finally, he turned to leave. “Alright, don't keep me waiting, because you won't like to see my wrath.” He said, his voice cold.
As the door closed behind him, I collapsed onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
The next morning, I made a decision. I couldn’t keep this baby. It wasn’t fair—to me or to the child. I needed to end it before it was too late.
I went to the doctor, my heart heavy with dread. But when I told him what I wanted, he shook his head.
“It’s too late,” he said gently. “And even if it weren’t, your body wouldn’t be strong enough to handle it.”
His words crushed me. There was no escape. No way out. I walked out of the clinic in a daze, my mind racing.
What was I going to do? How was I going to survive this?
Desperate, I decided to invest the little money I had left. It was a risk, but if it worked, I could pay Evans back and be free of him forever.
But three weeks later, my worst fears came true. It was a scam. Every penny was gone.
I sat in the bank parking lot, crying hysterically. My world was falling apart, and I had no one to turn to. No one but him.
With trembling hands, I pulled out his card and sent him a message.
“I’ll do it. I’ll marry you. Just tell me what you want me to do.”
Minutes later, my phone buzzed with his reply. “Good choice. Be ready tonight.”
I stared at the message, tears streaming down my face. I had sealed my fate, and there was no turning back now.
I was his.
- Writer
