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.

one," she decided. "It matches your tie. We're a couple, after all.

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

senior executive. His job required him to travel constantly, sometimes for ten days or more at a

at home? He had assumed her

he had been. He had

that Paul was lost in thought again. He had changed since before. His gaze often drifted, lost

can I ask you

"Of course."

whole life with me?" His tone wasn't accusatory, just

have to think of the child. I won't deny that I approached you for money at first. But now that you're broke, I'm staying for the baby. Oh, and we

was in turmoil. Her initial plan to get pregnant had been a ploy to take

she had anticipated. She had expected Kimberly to confront her, to cause

Blake family was powerful, and Kimberly had always

to deliver a bank card a few days ago. The messenger explained that Paul had left

Alison with a stable home, but the child was innocent. Out of gratitude for their time as husband and wife, Kimberly

Kimberly: she apologized for

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

okay? How much would you like to withdraw?" the bank teller asked, noticing Alison had

just checking." Alison put the

dollars would have thrilled her. The first

go on a shopping spree,

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

was still so small that, apart from the morning sickness, she could barely feel its presence. She often found herself touching her stomach, over and

but now that