Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Everyone comes into this world clean and pure, yet as they grow, they become entangled in the mire of life.

Human nature, once simple and kind, turns greedy, lustful, and cruel. Some people live a mediocre life, while others commit unspeakable acts.

Perhaps they bask in glory for a time, but life has its cycles. Thirty years of prosperity can be followed by thirty years of decline, and no one knows when retribution might arrive.

Paul had spent his entire life despising Kimberly. That was why he sought solace in other women-women who were gentle and seductive, everything Kimberly was not.

He dreamed of leaving her. Yet now that he actually had, he realized just how deeply he loved her. It felt as if a knife were gouging his heart, slashing it into pieces.

The greatest pain came from the wound in his soul. It didn't bleed, but it hurt unbearably.

Kimberly was gone, and it felt as if she had taken his very spirit with her. Alison, however, visited him frequently. She would sit by his bedside, talking endlessly about the child growing inside her.

She spoke of her morning sickness, how she couldn't keep anything down. "I didn't dare tell my mom," she said, "or she'd break my legs."

Paul looked at the young, vibrant woman before him. Gone was the seductive allure she displayed at work. Pregnancy had stripped away her makeup, her high heels, and her calculated charm. She was, in essence, just a girl.

To Paul, she seemed even younger than his own son-just a child.

Often, as he gazed at her, he found himself looking past her, seeing instead the youthful Kimberly.

"Paul, which dress do you think looks better for tonight's dinner? This one, or this one?" Alison twirled in front of him, holding up two dresses.

"You'll look good in either." He glanced up from his computer, though to him, both dresses looked the same.

this one," she decided. "It matches your tie.

too. But back then, he hadn't cared. When she was pregnant,

yet a vice president, just a senior executive. His job required him to travel

morning sickness alone at home? He had assumed her

in her shoes, he realized how wrong he had been. He had been

again. He had changed since before. His gaze often drifted, lost in

"Alison, can I ask

"Of course."

sure you want to spend your whole life with me?" His tone wasn't accusatory, just

of the child. I won't deny that I approached you for money at

was in turmoil. Her initial plan to get pregnant had been a ploy to take revenge on Paul and

she didn't feel the satisfaction she

powerful, and Kimberly

Paul had left the marriage with nothing. His properties

with a stable home, but the child was innocent. Out of gratitude for their time as

from Kimberly: she apologized for the way she had

name, with his birthday as the password. Inside was a million dollars-a fortune for an ordinary person, enough to live

everything okay? How much would you like to withdraw?"

I'm just checking." Alison put

would have

go on a shopping spree, then flaunt

card Aurora had given her. She hadn't touched a single

longer craved luxury goods and hadn't been to a mall in ages. The baby growing inside her was still so small that, apart

but now that