THE DEVIL’S HEART
The Devil’s Heart – Chapter 31
(Her possessive devil)
©Goodness Okoye
_____________________________________________
He looked at Pispa.
“Now you see what kind of monster you’re protecting.”
Hazard’s eyes turned darker than ever.
His voice was deadly.
“Wayne.”
Wayne tilted his head.
“Yes?”
Hazard stepped forward slowly.
“You just made the biggest mistake of your life.”
The air in the room turned terrifying.
Because now—
The devil wasn’t holding back anymore.
**
The warehouse was silent after Wayne’s shocking words.
Pispa stood frozen.
Her eyes slowly lifted to Hazard.
“Is it true…?”
Hazard didn’t answer.
The silence was heavy.
Pispa’s heart felt like it had dropped into darkness.
Wayne laughed softly.
“Look at her face, Hazard. The poor girl didn’t know she was sleeping beside a killer.”
Hazard’s eyes flashed dangerously.
“Shut up.”
Wayne smirked.
“But it’s the truth.”
He turned to Pispa again.
“Your devil was once the man people feared the most. The one hired when someone needed an entire bloodline wiped out.”
Pispa swallowed.
Her voice shook.
“…Hazard?”
Hazard finally spoke.
“Yes.”
One word.
But it felt like thunder.
Pispa stepped back slowly.
Wayne clapped slowly.
“Honesty. I like that.”
Hazard’s voice dropped dangerously.
“You talk too much.”
He moved so fast no one saw it coming.
In one second—
Hazard knocked the gun out of Wayne’s hand.
BANG!
The gun slid across the floor.
Victor and the other men burst into the room.
Chaos erupted again.
Wayne’s guards attacked.
But Hazard was no longer holding back.
He moved like a storm.
One man charged him—
Hazard grabbed him and slammed his head against the metal railing.
Another rushed him—
Hazard punched him so hard he dropped instantly.
Victor whistled quietly.
“Yeah… this is definitely devil mode.”
Within minutes—
Wayne’s men were on the floor.
Unconscious.
Bleeding.
Or running away.
Wayne wiped the blood from his lip and laughed again.
“You never change, Hazard.”
Hazard walked toward him slowly.
“You’re done.”
Wayne raised his hands casually.
“Oh relax.”
Then suddenly—
Police sirens echoed outside.
Victor frowned.
“What the hell?”
Wayne smiled.
“I told you I had a bigger plan.”
Hazard’s eyes narrowed.
Wayne whispered,
“You attack my warehouse… the police arrive… and suddenly the famous businessman Hazard DeHavilland looks like a criminal again.”
Victor cursed.
“He called them.”
Wayne smirked.
“Good luck explaining this.”
Then he jumped through the back door and escaped into the night.
Hazard growled in frustration.
Meanwhile…
Across the city.
Inside Wayne’s mansion.
A girl sat quietly in a dark room.
Her name was Mala.
Wayne’s step-sister.
She stared at a photo on her phone.
The photo was of Wayne.
Her fingers slowly traced his face.
Her eyes were filled with something dangerous.
Love.
Obsessive love.
Mala whispered softly.
“You don’t understand how much I love you…”
But suddenly—
The door opened.
A beautiful woman walked inside confidently.
Nika.
Wayne’s girlfriend.
Nika smiled.
“Mala, you’re still awake?”
Mala quickly hid her phone.
Her face turned sweet.
“Oh Nika. I was just thinking about Wayne.”
Nika sighed.
“He’s been busy again.”
Mala stood up slowly.
“Yes…”
Her eyes darkened slightly.
“…with you.”
But Nika didn’t notice.
She sat on the bed casually.
“You know you’re like a sister to me.”
Mala smiled.
But inside—
Her jealousy burned like fire.
She had loved Wayne for years.
Even though he was her stepbrother.
Even though it was wrong.
Even though he loved someone else.
Nika.
And the worst part?
Nika trusted her completely.
Mala walked closer and hugged her.
“You’re my best friend too.”
But when Nika couldn’t see her face—
Mala’s smile turned cold.
Her thoughts whispered something dangerous.
You stole him from me.
But not for long.
She slowly pulled away.
“Nika… can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Do you trust Wayne completely?”
Nika laughed softly.
“Of course.”
Mala nodded slowly.
“Good.”
Her eyes darkened.
“Because soon… you might need that trust.”
Nika frowned slightly.
“What do you mean?”
Mala smiled sweetly again.
“Nothing.”
But inside her mind—
A plan was forming.
A cruel one.
Because if she couldn’t have Wayne—
Then Nika wouldn’t have him either.
Back at the warehouse…
The police sirens were getting closer.
Victor rushed toward Hazard.
“We have to go!”
Hazard’s eyes were still locked on Pispa.
Pispa stood quietly.
Still shaken from everything.
Hazard walked toward her slowly.
His voice softened.
“You’re safe now.”
Pispa looked at him.
But her eyes were different.
Confused.
Hurt.
“You were really an assassin?”
Hazard didn’t deny it.
“Yes.”
Pispa whispered.
“How many people…?”
Hazard looked away briefly.
“Too many.”
Pispa’s heart tightened.
The devil she was fighting beside…
Had once been a monster.
And now she didn’t know what to feel.
Victor shouted again.
“Boss! Police!”
Hazard grabbed Pispa’s hand.
“We’re leaving.”
But Pispa didn’t move immediately.
Her mind was still spinning.
Because now—
She didn’t know if the man protecting her…
Was also the man she should fear.
**
The rain had started falling lightly over the city.
Inside Wayne’s mansion, the atmosphere was quiet.
Too quiet.
Mala stood alone in Nika’s room.
Her eyes slowly scanned the place.
She closed the door behind her.
Then she walked toward Nika’s desk.
Her fingers moved carefully as she placed a small flash drive inside the drawer.
Inside that flash drive were files.
Fake files.
Messages showing Nika secretly communicating with Hazard.
Business secrets.
Plans.
Information that would make it look like Nika was betraying Wayne.
Mala stepped back slowly.
Her lips curved into a small smile.
“Sorry, Nika…”
She whispered softly.
“But if I can’t have him…”
Her eyes darkened.
“…neither can you.”
She picked up Nika’s phone from the table.
Another message was sent.
To Wayne.
“I have something important to tell you tonight. Come to my room.”
Mala placed the phone back exactly where it had been.
Then she quietly walked out.
Her heart was racing.
Because tonight—
Wayne would finally see Nika as a traitor.
And once he lost trust in her…
Mala would be the only one left beside him.
Meanwhile…
At the DeHavilland mansion.
Victor dragged someone down the hallway.
Cher.
Her hands were tied behind her back.
Her face had a bruise on her cheek.
Cher laughed quietly.
“You really think you scare me?”
Victor threw her into a chair.
“I don’t need to scare you.”
Cher smirked.
“Oh?”
Victor leaned closer.
“I just need the truth.”
Cher rolled her eyes.
“You already know the truth.”
Victor suddenly punched the table loudly.
Cher flinched slightly.
“You framed Pispa.”
Cher chuckled.
“Maybe.”
Victor’s eyes narrowed.
“Why?”
Cher shrugged casually.
“Because she’s ruining everything.”
Victor frowned.
“Everything?”
Cher leaned back in the chair.
“My brother was perfect before she came.”
Victor scoffed.
“You mean before he became human?”
Cher’s smile faded slightly.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
Victor crossed his arms.
“Try me.”
Cher’s eyes darkened.
“My brother was feared by everyone.”
He continued quietly.
“No weakness. No emotions. Just power.”
Victor sighed.
“And now?”
Cher spat on the floor.
“Now he’s risking everything for some stupid girl.”
Victor nodded slowly.
“So you framed her to get rid of her.”
Cher smirked.
“Exactly.”
Victor pulled out his phone and pressed record.
“Good.”
Cher frowned.
“What?”
Victor smiled slightly.
“Because you just confessed.”
Cher’s eyes widened.
Victor stood up calmly.
“And Hazard is about to hear every word.”
For the first time—
Cher looked nervous.
Later that night…
Inside Hazard’s office.
The room was dim.
Pispa stood near the window quietly.
She hadn’t spoken much since leaving the warehouse.
Her thoughts were heavy.
Hazard entered the room slowly.
Pispa didn’t turn around.
She spoke first.
“Why?”
Hazard stopped.
“Why what?”
Pispa turned slowly.
“Why did you become an assassin?”
Hazard stayed silent for a long moment.
Then he walked toward the desk.
His voice was quiet.
“My family was killed.”
Pispa’s eyes widened.
Hazard continued slowly.
“I was Sixteen.”
His jaw tightened.
“Some powerful people wanted our company.”
Pispa whispered,
“So they…?”
Hazard nodded.
“They burned our house.”
Hazard’s voice grew colder.
“My parents died in that fire.”
Pispa’s heart tightened.
“And you?”
“I survived.”
Hazard looked up at her.
“But survival wasn’t enough.”
Pispa understood immediately.
“You wanted revenge.”
Hazard’s eyes darkened.
“I got it.”
Pispa swallowed.
“And after that?”
Hazard shrugged slightly.
“Revenge turned into work.”
Pispa stared at him.
“So you just kept killing?”
Hazard didn’t deny it.
“Yes.”
Pispa looked down.
Her heart felt complicated.
This man was dangerous.
Broken.
But somehow—
She could see the pain behind his eyes.
Hazard’s voice softened slightly.
“I stopped months ago.”
Pispa looked at him again.
“Because of me?”
Hazard hesitated.
“…Maybe.”
Their eyes locked.
The tension between them returned again.
The room went silent.
“But who is Mrs. Paula, Cher and Corey?” Pispa asked.
“She is my foster mom, she helped me and Cher and Corey is her children after some years of barrenness.”
Pispa’s eyes grew soft.
But before anyone could speak—
Victor burst into the room.
“Boss.”
Hazard turned.
“What is it?”
Victor handed him the phone.
“You should listen to this.”
Hazard played the recording.
Cher’s voice filled the room.
“Yeah, I framed her… she’s ruining everything…”
Pispa’s eyes widened.
Hazard’s expression turned terrifying.
Victor crossed his arms.
“So what do we do with her?”
Hazard’s voice dropped into something cold.
“I’ll handle my sister.”
Across the city…
Inside a dark abandoned building.
Wayne stood by the window.
The rain poured outside.
A man approached him.
“We lost the warehouse.”
Wayne didn’t react.
“I know.”
The man hesitated.
“What now?”
Wayne smiled slowly.
“A bigger game.”
He turned around.
His eyes were dangerous.
“I’ve been playing with Hazard.”
The man frowned.
“What do you mean?”
Wayne chuckled.
“You think Pispa is the real target?”
The man looked confused.
Wayne’s smile widened.
“No.”
He whispered something chilling.
“The real target… is the DeHavilland empire itself.”
Lightning flashed outside.
Wayne’s eyes glowed with excitement.
“And soon…”
He laughed quietly.
“…everything Hazard built will burn.”
**
The mansion felt colder than usual.
Victor pushed open the basement door.
Inside—
Cher sat tied to a chair.
Her head was lowered.
But when she heard footsteps, she slowly looked up.
Hazard walked into the room.
His face was calm.
Too calm.
Victor quietly stepped aside.
“Your sister.”
Cher smirked.
“So you finally came.”
Hazard didn’t answer.
He walked closer.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Cher tilted his head slightly.
“You look angry.”
Hazard stopped in front of her.
His voice was dangerously quiet.
“You framed her.”
Cher shrugged.
“Yeah.”
Hazard’s fist clenched.
Cher continued,
“I told you already. She’s ruining you.”
Hazard grabbed Cher’s collar suddenly and yanked her forward.
“You don’t get to decide that.”
Cher laughed.
“You used to be feared, brother.”
His eyes flashed mockingly.
“Now look at you… protecting some girl like a lovesick fool.”
Hazard’s eyes turned darker.
Cher leaned closer and whispered,
“She’s your weakness.”
That was the last straw.
Hazard slapped her.
Hard.
The chair fell backward with Cher still tied to it.
Victor winced slightly.
“Damn.”
Cher groaned but laughed again.
“You see?”
She spat blood.
“You’re already losing control.”
Hazard grabbed the chair and lifted it upright again.
His voice was ice.
“You betrayed me.”
Cher sneered.
“You betrayed yourself.”
Hazard’s hand tightened around the chair.
“You could’ve killed her.”
Cher smiled cruelly.
“That was the point.”
The room fell silent.
Hazard stared at his sister.
For a long moment.
Then he spoke quietly.
“If you ever touch her again…”
His voice became deadly.
“…I will forget you are my sister.”
Cher’s smile faded slightly.
Because he knew Hazard meant it.
Victor stepped forward.
“What do we do with her?”
Hazard turned away.
“Lock her up.”
Cher shouted behind him,
“You think she’ll stay after she knows who you really are?”
Hazard stopped at the door.
But he didn’t answer.
Meanwhile…
Inside Wayne’s mansion.
Wayne walked into Nika’s room.
The message she sent him was still fresh in his mind.
He opened the drawer of her desk.
Then he froze.
The flash drive.
Wayne plugged it into his laptop.
The files appeared on the screen.
Messages.
Photos.
Information sent to Hazard.
Wayne’s expression darkened.
“You betrayed me…”
His voice dropped dangerously.
Just then—
Nika walked into the room.
“Wayne? You wanted to see—”
She stopped.
Wayne slowly turned the laptop toward her.
“Explain this.”
Nika frowned.
“What?”
Wayne slammed his fist on the desk.
“You’ve been leaking information to Hazard!”
Nika’s eyes widened.
“That’s impossible!”
Wayne grabbed her arm roughly.
“Don’t lie to me!”
Nika shook her head desperately.
“I didn’t do this!”
But Wayne’s trust was already broken.
Mala stood quietly outside the door.
Listening.
Her lips curved into a satisfied smile.
Her plan had worked.
Wayne pushed Nika away angrily.
“Get out.”
Nika stared at him in shock.
“Wayne—”
“GET OUT!”
Tears filled Nika’s eyes as she ran out of the room.
Mala quickly stepped aside so she wouldn’t be seen.
Inside her chest—
Her heart beat with dark excitement.
Because now Wayne belonged to no one.
DEHAVILLAND MANSION…
Pispa stood on the balcony.
The night wind brushed through her hair.
Her thoughts were restless.
Footsteps approached behind her.
Hazard.
She didn’t turn.
“You dealt with Cher?”
Hazard answered quietly.
“Yes.”
Pispa nodded slowly.
Silence fell again.
Hazard stepped closer.
“Are you afraid of me?”
Pispa finally turned.
Her eyes studied his face.
“I don’t know.”
Hazard’s jaw tightened.
“That’s fair.”
Pispa sighed.
“But I do know something.”
Hazard looked at her.
“What?”
Pispa stepped closer.
“You could’ve let Wayne kill me many times.”
Hazard stayed silent.
“But you didn’t.”
Their eyes locked.
The tension grew thicker.
Pispa whispered,
“You protected me every time.”
Hazard’s voice was rough.
“Because I had to.”
Pispa frowned slightly.
“Had to?”
Hazard’s restraint finally cracked.
“Because I can’t lose you!”
The words exploded out of him.
Pispa froze.
Hazard’s breathing was heavy now.
“You think I enjoy feeling like this?”
His voice softened slightly.
“You walked into my life and ruined everything.”
Pispa blinked.
“Ruined?”
Hazard stepped closer.
“Yes.”
He whispered,
“Because now I care.”
Her heart skipped.
Hazard’s hand slowly lifted and touched her cheek.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
“And caring makes you weak.”
Pispa didn’t move.
Hazard’s face moved closer.
Their breaths mixed.
For a second—
They both hesitated.
Then—
Hazard finally lost control.
He kissed her.
It wasn’t gentle.
It was intense.
Desperate.
Like a storm finally breaking.
Pispa gasped softly but didn’t pull away.
For a moment—
Everything else disappeared.
The war.
The danger.
The pain.
It was just them.
TBC…
