The Damned Demon
chapter-673

Asher leaned forward slightly, his tone soft yet probing, "You're stronger than you give yourself credit for, Cecilia. You talk about owing everything to your husband, but I think you've given him just as much in return. From what I've seen, you've sacrificed your own desires and ambitions to support him, to keep his legacy alive. That's not meaningless. You've played a huge part in everything he's accomplished."

Cecilia blinked, his words catching her off guard. She looked down at her drink, her fingers tightening around the glass as she said with a modest smile, "Not really. His legacy is mine as well." Her expression shifted to a somber one as she added, "But sometimes, it feels like I'm losing him no matter how hard I try to support him. Like he's slipping away and becoming someone I barely recognize."

Asher's voice lowered, more intimate, as if he were sharing a secret, "Maybe that's because you're seeing the truth for the first time. People change, especially when power or responsibilities greater than family are involved. And sometimes, we hold onto them because we believe we owe them our loyalty... even when they've stopped being the person we once loved."

Cecilia's breath hitched, the liquor meddling her head and for a moment, her eyes flickered with doubt, "No... Derek's still Derek. He's just under a lot of pressure. He's doing all of this for the world. For us."

Asher gently placed his hand over hers, his touch warm yet steady, "I'm not saying he doesn't care about you or the world. But people with that much power... they start seeing everything as a means to an end. Don't you think you deserve more than just being by his side, watching him become someone you don't recognize? You've given up so much already. How much more will you have to sacrifice before it's enough? Do you not yearn to become as free and adventurous as you were in your younger days?"

Cecilia's heart sank a little as Ash's words echoed in her mind. She thought of her past—of the days when she was free, even under the contempt of her family. Back then, at least, she had the freedom to do whatever she wanted.

She hadn't been shackled by the weight of her husband's ambitions, hadn't been molded by the expectations of the world around her. She was just a young girl trying to prove herself, fighting to be recognized on her own terms.

She lifted her gaze to Ash, his golden eyes warm and understanding. He had only known her for a few months, yet somehow, he saw into the deepest parts of her heart, into the pain and the longing she had buried there. It was as if he had peeled back the layers she had built around herself, revealing a vulnerable core she hadn't shown to anyone in years. The gentle weight of his hand on hers was soothing, an anchor in a storm she didn't even know she was weathering.

But the sudden realization of her thoughts made her tense, and she awkwardly but quickly pulled her hand away, rubbing her forehead with a shaky laugh, "I think... I might have had a bit too much. I should have heeded your warning. M-Maybe it's time to get back home. W-Where is... Rachel..." Her words slurred as she tried to focus on the glowing screen of her wrist device, but the characters blurred together. Her eyelids drooped, her limbs feeling as heavy as lead.

"Let me call Rachel for you," Asher offered, his voice calm and steady. He pulled out his phone and made the call, his eyes watching her with a patient, almost tender concern.

"Tha... Thank you..." Cecilia mumbled, her voice soft as she let herself lean back in her chair. She could hardly lift her head anymore, much less think about operating her device. She hadn't realized how far her tolerance for alcohol had fallen over the years.

This was the first time in a long while that she had let herself drink this much, and it was hitting her harder than she expected.

"What? You can't come? Oh... It's alright. I will take care of it," Asher said into the phone before cutting the call.

He looked back at her, his expression a mixture of concern and something else she couldn't quite place through the haze of her thoughts, "I'm sorry, Cecilia. It looks like Rachel is stuck with some important work. But she asked me to escort you back home safely. Maybe we should leave right now?"

Cecilia nodded weakly, her eyes half-lidded and unfocused, "Oh... she is that busy? I... I should..." She tried to push herself up, her legs wobbling as she struggled to stand. Her vision blurred and swam before her eyes. The room tilted alarmingly, and she stumbled forward, falling into Ash's chest.

"Careful..." Asher murmured as he caught her, his arms steady and firm around her velvety waist. She felt herself being gently pulled against him, her soft upper body arching back in his hold. Her head lolled slightly, her eyes closing as she felt her limbs give way completely. His arm was strong around her back, and she felt a strange sense of comfort, of safety, that she hadn't felt in a long time.

As he adjusted his hold, her slender neck was exposed, her dress slipping slightly to reveal the curve of her shoulders and the swell of her voluptuous chest, especially her deep cleavage.

The sight of her, so vulnerable and unguarded in his arms, made his lips curve into a subtle, almost devilish smile.

'Ironically, this night would be an unforgettable night for you,' he whispered in his mind.

Cecilia could barely control her legs, lost in the drunken stupor that had overtaken her.

"I...I need to lie down somewhere..." She mumbled incoherently as she tried to raise herself up, clawing onto his broad shoulders.

"Of course. Let me help you walk," Gently, he placed one of her arms around his shoulder, effortlessly leading her toward the exit. The bartender glanced over, but Asher gave him a reassuring nod, and the man simply returned to his work, none the wiser.

Derek glanced at his wrist device as he stepped out of his office, the cool night air brushing against his face. The incoming call on the screen caught his attention, and with a flick of his finger, he tapped on the earpiece in his ear.

"Yes?" His voice was calm, but the subtle edge to his tone revealed his curiosity.

"Sir...the Madam hasn't returned yet. You told me to call if anything unusual happened, so..." A meek voice, filled with hesitation, echoed from the other side.

Derek's expression immediately hardened as he cut the call short. He quickly dialed Cecilia's number, his jaw tightening as the call went straight to voicemail. His eyes darkened as he muttered under his breath, "Cecilia…"

—

Morning light filtered softly into the luxurious suite of a high-end hotel. The sunlight touched the silk drapes, casting a warm glow over the room, gently waking Cecilia from her restless sleep. Her eyelids fluttered as she stirred, her head feeling heavy and sluggish as if a building had fell over her.

The softness of the bed beneath her was familiar yet different from the one she was used to.

"Mnnn…" She felt the comforting warmth of a man's chest under her arm, her fingers brushing against smooth skin. Did her husband always have such warm and flawless skin?

A drowsy, content smile touched her lips as she instinctively nuzzled closer. It was a moment of tranquility, a fleeting second where she thought she was in the safety of her own home, in her husband's arms.

"Honey…" she mumbled sleepily, her voice a faint whisper.

She forced her eyes open, her vision swimming into focus, the blurred edges sharpening into a stark, unsettling reality.

Beside her lay not Derek, but Ash, his chiseled features softened by sleep, his chest bare and inviting caressing against the wedding ring on her hand.

Her eyes widened, shock coursing through her veins like ice water. She looked down, her gaze tracing the curve of her own naked body, the quilt a thin barrier between her and the chill of the room. Panic clawed at her throat, a cold, clammy hand that squeezed the air from her lungs.

"No… no… this can't be happening…" she whispered frantically, her voice barely audible as she tried to process the reality around her. Her mind raced, trying to remember what happened, how she ended up here, but everything was a blur, a foggy mess of fragmented memories. The last thing she recalled was being at the bar, drinking with Ash, feeling her worries slipping away as she vent out some pent-up feelings.

"Did I…?" The question lingered in her mind, too horrifying to finish, too damning to even consider. She shook her head violently, refusing to accept it, her hands trembling as she tried to get up.

Her arm trembled as she tried to pull away, her movements slow and cautious, as if afraid to shatter the fragile silence. The quilt slipped from her grasp, the cool air brushing against her bare skin, a harsh, unwelcome caress that sent shivers down her spine. She tugged at the fabric, a futile attempt to shield herself from the reality that was crashing down around her.

But as she pulled the quilt towards her, it slid off Ash's body, revealing the full extent of his nakedness. Her eyes widened, her gaze drawn to the thick, robust member that lay unashamedly before her. The image burned into her retinas, a searing, indelible mark that sent a wave of heat and horror crashing through her.

What kind of devilish dream was this?!er!