Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

After hanging up the phone, Victoria was seized by another violent coughing fit. She grabbed a few tissues to cover her mouth, knowing deep down that her days were numbered.

This time, the coughing felt as if it would pull the very air from her lungs. Erica brought her a glass of warm water and noticed the bloodstain on the white tissue in her hand.

"Madam, have some water," Erica urged, her voice tinged with concern. The sight of the blood was shocking, even to her, but Tina remained unbothered, as though she had grown used to it. Calmly, she wiped the blood away, tossed the tissue into the trash, and showed no emotion on her face.

After taking a sip of warm water, Tina's heart was still ice-cold. "Erica, what day is it today?"

"Madam, Christmas just passed. Didn't you watch Ms. Aurora's livestream about her perfume a few days ago?" Erica reminded her gently.

From a young age, Victoria had always had an excellent memory-a trait inherited from her family. The women of her lineage were born exceptional, with sharper minds and stronger memories than most.

How could she forget something as simple as the date? It was a sign of her worsening health, a decline that seemed to accelerate with each passing day.

"Oh, that's right. How could I forget so quickly?" Tina chuckled softly to herself. She picked up her tablet and opened videos featuring Aurora.

"Look at this child. She's incredible," Tina said, her voice tinged with pride. Erica already knew the truth and didn't bother concealing it anymore.

"Madam, how could your daughter not be incredible? Everyone's praising her new sales model, and the reviews for her perfume are glowing. Speaking of which..." Erica hesitated, as if something had just come to mind.

"What is it?" Tina looked at her suspiciously.

Erica retrieved a carefully wrapped box. Inside was a custom-made bottle of perfume, accompanied by a handwritten card.

"Merry Christmas, Mom!"

striking handwriting was unmistakable. Tears blurred Tina's

still acknowledges me

eyes of others-strong, untouchable, and commanding-now sitting

clever. She didn't sign

she deserves to live a long, ordinary life, like a normal person," Tina murmured, her gaze fixed on the screen playing Aurora's videos. The sight of her daughter only

exceptional genes. Madam, you were always meant to stand above the rest," Erica said, her tone

let out a bitter laugh. "On the surface, it looks glamorous, but if I had the choice, I'd have rather been born into an

know, Madam. I understand," Erica replied, fully aware of why Tina had urgently summoned

was-someone who could play with others' emotions,

You know what

nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Yes, I called him back because I'm afraid he might disrupt Aurora's life. But there's another reason. My time is running out, and I want to spend what little I have left

it be that you..." Erica was stunned. She had always thought that the events with the Montgomery family had shattered Tina so completely that she would never love another man

not heartless," Tina admitted, her voice soft. "I've seen everything he's done for me. I never responded because I was afraid. I knew I couldn't stay with him for

I couldn't give him happiness, I thought it was better not to give him hope in the first place. That's why I kept pushing him away. But..." Her voice trailed off, and a gentle light flickered in

now, the person I want to see most is him. I was the one who sent him away. I didn't want him to see me like this-so frail, so weak. I didn't want him to feel

me.

about him. I miss him so much it's driving me

tears streaming silently down her face. This was the most vulnerable and desperate version of

she didn't care, but because she didn't want to hurt anyone. In protecting others,

leaned forward and embraced Tina. "Madam, you've done nothing wrong. Not a

in happiness? Do you think pushing him away will make

ago, he still waited for you to return.

the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! You pushed him away, hoping he'd find someone else, build a happy family, and

So why