THE DEVIL’S HEART
The Devil’s Heart – Chapter 34
(Her possessive devil)
©Goodness Okoye
_____________________________________________
The mansion was quiet again.
But the quiet felt dangerous.
Wayne’s Hideout
Victor was tied to a metal chair in the middle of a cold concrete room.
A single light hung above his head.
Wayne stood in front of him calmly, slowly cleaning a knife with a cloth.
“You’re a loyal man,” Wayne said casually.
Victor didn’t respond.
His face was bruised, but his eyes were still sharp.
Wayne chuckled.
“Loyalty is admirable.”
He crouched slightly, bringing his face closer to Victor’s.
“But it’s also… predictable.”
Victor finally spoke.
“You’re wasting your time.”
Wayne smiled.
“Am I?”
He snapped his fingers.
Two men dragged Mel into the room.
Her hands were tied behind her back.
Victor’s jaw tightened.
Wayne noticed immediately.
“Ah… there it is.”
He walked slowly behind Mel.
“You see, Victor… I don’t actually need to hurt you.”
He placed the knife lightly against Mel’s shoulder.
“I just need to hurt someone you care about.”
Victor’s voice dropped.
“Leave her out of this.”
Wayne’s eyes gleamed.
“Then tell me something interesting.”
He leaned closer.
“Tell me the truth about Hazard.”
Victor stayed silent.
Wayne pressed the blade slightly harder against Mel’s arm.
A small line of blood appeared.
Mel gasped.
Victor’s fists clenched.
Wayne whispered softly,
“What happened the night Hazard became an assassin?”
Victor’s eyes widened.
Wayne smiled slowly.
“Yes…”
“That night.”
“The one he never talks about.”
Victor looked away.
But Wayne knew the silence meant something.
And he was getting closer to the truth.
Meanwhile — Mala’s New Plan
Mala sat inside her penthouse, staring at a photo of Wayne.
Her fingers slowly traced the edge of the frame.
Her phone buzzed.
A message appeared.
“Nika is asking questions.”
Mala’s lips curved into a cold smile.
“So she’s getting brave.”
She stood and walked toward the window overlooking the city.
The lights below glittered like diamonds.
“She should have stayed quiet.”
Mala dialed a number.
When the man answered, she spoke calmly.
“I need you to follow someone tonight.”
She paused.
“And if the opportunity comes…”
Her voice turned colder.
“…make sure Nika disappears.”
DeHavilland Mansion — Hallway
Nam was walking quietly toward the kitchen for a late-night snack.
But as he passed the living room—
He heard his mother’s voice.
Cher was speaking on the phone.
Nam stopped.
“…Yes,” Cher whispered.
Nam frowned.
Her voice sounded different.
More secretive.
“…Wayne said everything is going according to plan.”
Nam’s eyes widened.
Wayne?
He stepped closer to the door, trying to hear better.
Cher continued,
“Hazard is distracted by that girl.”
Nam’s chest tightened slightly.
“…And soon,” Cher added quietly, “Wayne will finish him.”
Nam froze.
Finish him?
His mind raced.
Why was his mother talking to Wayne?
And why did it sound like she wanted Hazard to lose?
For the first time—
Nam felt something strange.
Fear.
Hazard’s Study
August stormed into the room without knocking.
Hazard was sitting at the desk, reading reports.
He didn’t look up.
“You should learn to knock.”
August slammed the door shut behind him.
“Did you kiss her?”
Hazard finally looked up.
August’s eyes were burning.
Hazard leaned back in his chair.
“Yes.”
The answer was calm.
Too calm.
August laughed bitterly.
“Wow.”
He ran a hand through his hair.
“That was fast.”
Hazard’s gaze hardened slightly.
“Say what you came to say.”
August stepped closer to the desk.
“You know I care about her.”
Hazard didn’t respond.
August continued,
“And you still went ahead and—”
“Pispa isn’t a possession,” Hazard interrupted coldly.
“She can choose who she wants.”
August’s jaw tightened.
“And she chose you?”
Hazard held his gaze.
“Yes.”
Silence filled the room.
August laughed again, but there was no humor in it.
“Of course she did.”
He turned toward the door.
Then paused.
Without looking back, he muttered quietly,
“Just make sure you don’t destroy her like you destroy everything else.”
Then he walked out.
Hazard sat there silently.
For the first time in a long while—
Those words actually bothered him.
Back at Wayne’s Hideout
Wayne leaned against the table, watching Victor carefully.
“You know,” he said calmly, “I heard a very interesting rumor.”
Victor didn’t look at him.
Wayne’s smile grew darker.
“That Hazard wasn’t always the monster he is now.”
He stepped closer.
“They say he became one… after a certain girl died.”
Victor’s eyes flickered.
Wayne noticed immediately.
And laughed softly.
“Ah…”
“So the story is true.”
He leaned close to Victor’s ear.
“Tell me something.”
Wayne whispered.
“Was it an accident…”
“…or did Hazard kill her himself?”
Victor’s breathing slowed.
But he said nothing.
Wayne straightened up.
“That’s fine.”
He smiled.
“I enjoy solving mysteries.”
**
The night felt heavier than usual.
A storm gathered above the city, dark clouds swallowing the moon.
Inside DeHavilland Mansion, Hazard stood alone in his study, staring out the window. The city lights reflected faintly in his cold eyes.
Everything was beginning to close in.
Wayne.
The secrets of the past.
And Pispa.
A knock came at the door.
“Come in.”
Victor stepped inside.
He had been rescued only hours earlier after Hazard’s men finally traced Wayne’s hideout.
Victor looked exhausted but determined.
“We found Mel. She’s safe.”
Hazard nodded slowly.
“Wayne let you escape.”
Victor frowned.
“He wanted me to bring a message.”
Hazard turned.
Victor continued quietly.
“He said the war ends soon.”
Meanwhile…
In an empty parking garage across the city, Nika ran.
Her breath came out in quick gasps.
Behind her, two men chased her through the shadows.
Mala had sent them.
Nika ducked behind a concrete pillar just as a bullet struck the wall.
Her heart pounded wildly.
“So this is how you want to play it,” she whispered.
She pulled out her phone and sent one message.
To Wayne.
Your step-sister is trying to kill me.
Then she disappeared into the darkness.
Somewhere far away, Mala had just made a dangerous mistake.
DeHavilland Mansion — Garden
Nam sat on the same swing again.
But tonight his mind was racing.
He remembered everything he had heard his mother say.
Wayne.
The plan.
Finishing Hazard.
Nam kicked the ground nervously.
Then he saw Pispa walking through the garden.
He jumped off the swing.
“Pispa.”
She stopped and turned.
“Hey, troublemaker.”
Nam hesitated.
Then he walked closer.
“I… need to tell you something.”
Pispa noticed the seriousness in his face.
“What is it?”
Nam looked around nervously.
Then whispered,
“My mom… she’s working with Wayne.”
Pispa’s eyes widened.
“What?”
Nam swallowed.
“I heard her talking on the phone.”
His voice became smaller.
“They want Uncle Hazard to lose.”
Pispa’s heart tightened.
For the first time, she realized the danger inside the mansion itself.
She gently placed a hand on Nam’s shoulder.
“You did the right thing telling me.”
Nam looked relieved.
For the first time in a long time—
Someone believed him.
Hazard and Pispa
Later that night, Pispa entered Hazard’s study.
He looked up immediately.
Something in her expression told him this wasn’t a casual visit.
“What happened?”
Pispa walked closer.
“Nam heard Cher talking to Wayne.”
Hazard’s eyes darkened.
“I suspected something.”
Pispa sighed.
“So what now?”
Hazard stood and walked toward her slowly.
The tension between them returned.
But this time it felt different.
Quieter.
More honest.
“I end this,” Hazard said simply.
Pispa studied his face.
“You’ve been fighting your whole life.”
Hazard gave a faint smile.
“Not my whole life.”
He paused.
“Just since that night.”
Pispa looked at him carefully.
“The night the girl died?”
Hazard’s expression hardened for a moment.
Then he looked away.
“Yes.”
Pispa stepped closer.
“You never told me what really happened.”
Hazard was silent for a long time.
Finally he said quietly,
“I loved her.”
Pispa didn’t move.
“And because of me,” Hazard continued, “she died.”
His voice was rough now.
“That was the night I became the man everyone fears.”
Pispa reached out and gently took his hand.
“You’re not just that man.”
Hazard looked down at her.
“Then what am I?”
Pispa’s voice softened.
“Someone who still knows how to love.”
For a moment the storm outside thundered loudly.
Hazard stepped closer.
Closer than before.
His hand lifted and rested lightly against her cheek.
“I never wanted to feel this again.”
Pispa whispered,
“Then don’t fight it.”
Hazard leaned down and kissed her slowly.
Not like before.
This time there was no fear.
No hesitation.
Just truth.
When they finally pulled apart, Hazard rested his forehead against hers.
“I’m ending this war,” he said quietly.
Pispa nodded.
“And when it’s over?”
Hazard looked into her eyes.
“Then I finally live.”
Meanwhile…
Wayne stood on the roof of a tall building, watching the city below.
Ronan approached him.
“Everything is ready.”
Wayne smiled slightly.
“Good.”
He looked toward the distant DeHavilland Tower.
“Hazard thinks the war is ending.”
Ronan asked,
“Isn’t it?”
Wayne’s smile darkened.
“No.”
He pulled out a small photograph.
It showed Hazard standing beside a young girl years ago.
Wayne whispered softly,
“Because the final truth hasn’t been revealed yet.”
Lightning flashed across the sky.
And somewhere in the city—
The final battle was coming.
**
Rain poured heavily over the city that night.
Thunder cracked across the sky like a warning.
Inside DeHavilland Mansion, the atmosphere was tense.
Hazard stood in the war room with Victor and a few trusted men. Maps, photos, and screens covered the walls. Wayne’s network was finally starting to reveal itself.
Victor pointed to a location blinking on the map.
“We intercepted a message from Wayne’s men.”
Hazard’s eyes narrowed.
“Where?”
“Old Harbor District.”
Hazard didn’t hesitate.
“Prepare the cars.”
But before anyone could move—
The main screen in the room suddenly flickered.
Everyone froze.
Wayne’s face appeared.
Live.
He was smiling calmly.
“Good evening, Hazard.”
Hazard’s jaw tightened.
“What do you want, Wayne?”
Wayne chuckled.
“Oh, tonight isn’t about what I want.”
He leaned closer to the camera.
“It’s about what you’ve been hiding.”
Hazard’s expression didn’t change.
But Victor felt the tension in the room rise instantly.
Wayne continued.
“For years… people believed the story you told them.”
His smile faded.
“That you became an assassin because someone you loved died.”
He paused.
“But that’s not the full truth… is it?”
Hazard’s fists slowly clenched.
Behind him, Pispa stepped into the room quietly.
She watched the screen with concern.
Wayne’s voice grew darker.
“You told everyone it was an accident.”
He tilted his head.
“But you never told them who pulled the trigger.”
The room fell silent.
Wayne’s eyes gleamed.
“You did.”
Pispa’s breath caught.
“What?”
Victor turned sharply to Hazard.
But Hazard remained perfectly still.
Wayne continued slowly.
“Yes… the great Hazard DeHavilland.”
“The man feared across the underworld.”
“Once killed the girl he loved.”
Pispa stared at Hazard.
Her heart pounded painfully.
“Hazard… tell me that’s not true.”
Wayne’s smile widened.
“Oh, it’s very true.”
The screen suddenly changed.
A photo appeared.
A younger Hazard stood beside a girl with long dark hair.
She was smiling brightly.
Wayne spoke again.
“Her name was Juliana.”
Hazard’s breathing slowed.
Wayne’s voice echoed through the room.
“She trusted you.”
“She loved you.”
“And the night you tried to protect her…”
Wayne’s eyes darkened.
“You shot her yourself.”
Pispa stepped back in shock.
“No…”
Hazard finally spoke.
His voice was low.
“It wasn’t like that.”
Wayne laughed.
“Oh really?”
The screen switched again.
Now it showed an old security recording.
Grainy footage from years ago.
A warehouse.
Young Hazard fighting several men.
Gunshots echoed.
The girl — Juliana — ran toward him.
Then suddenly—
A gun fired.
She collapsed.
The footage froze.
The gun was in Hazard’s hand.
Silence crushed the room.
Pispa felt her chest tighten painfully.
“Hazard…”
Wayne whispered almost gently,
“That was the night he became the monster you know today.”
He leaned back in his chair.
“Because guilt makes the best assassins.”
Hazard’s eyes burned with something dangerous now.
“Are you finished?”
Wayne smiled again.
“Not quite.”
His voice dropped lower.
“You see… the story gets even better.”
Pispa slowly looked back at the screen.
Wayne’s final words hit like thunder.
“Because Juliana didn’t die by accident.”
He paused.
“I made sure she did.”
Hazard’s entire body froze.
Victor looked at the screen in disbelief.
“What?”
Wayne’s smile widened slowly.
“Yes…”
“I was there that night.”
Pispa felt the room spin.
Wayne whispered coldly,
“And now that you know the truth, Hazard…”
His eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
“…come and finish what we started.”
The screen went black.
Thunder roared outside.
Inside the mansion—
The final war had officially begun.
Hazard stood there silently.
But something inside him had finally snapped.
And this time—
He wasn’t fighting for revenge.
He was fighting for the truth.
TBC…
