Darius's Mansion

Malacai looked at the clock on the wall and knew it was time for her mother's cooking to be done. 

He didn't know why, but he's looked forward to having it.

Looking at Malacai leaving the room, Nerissa quickly moved and put on her clothes. "Wait for me."

Malacai stopped at his step; in fact, he didn't want to leave her. He just wanted to unlock the door first so they could come out quicker.

Feeling Malacai's gaze as she wore clothes made her remember what had just happened, her cheeks turning cherry red. After finishing, she quickly tidied her mother's bed.

They were now seated at the dining table, with many foods prepared, from some deep-fried vegetables to grilled chicken. 

It was nothing luxurious, but for Malacai, it was the first time he tasted such delicacy.

Seeing Malacai eating it all with a relish made Eleanor's opinion of him rise further.

After the meal, Eleanor asked, "Where are your parents?"

Nerissa's ears perked up; she wanted to find out more about him. 

The more she knew, the better her chances rose. Malacai replied with a flat tone, "The real ones or the adopting ones?"

"You were adopted?"

"Yes, my real parents kicked me out, and I lived in an orphanage for a while before getting adopted."

Eleanor's eyes widened at his answer. 

She realized Malacai's life was complicated and asked further about it. 

Like any parent, when their daughter brings a partner home, she wants to know more about him.

Malacai started to narrate his life with his step-parents.

His stepdad was a drunk, and his stepmother had a luxury car occasionally coming to the house. 

He also told how he was treated at home. As Eleanor kept asking about it, coming from an abusive family herself, she empathized with Malacai.

Malacai had speculated that his step-mom was scamming rich guys left and right, and his step-dad was just an accomplice. 

The marriage was fake, as they never slept in the same room.

In fact, his stepdad would sometimes bring women home, and his step-mom wouldn't care about it. 

But Malacai kept this to himself, as Eleanor didn't ask about it.

Eleanor then stood up and hugged him tightly, crying. "You have suffered. Why don't you stay here? We still have some empty rooms." 

Nerissa felt conflicted, especially with her mother. 

She was relieved that she didn't need to explain why Malacai was staying with them.

However, the thought of her mother asking her molester to stay with them left her speechless.

As for Malacai, a strange feeling filled his heart, leaving him puzzled.

"Don't go home. I will call the cops on them," Eleanor said as she sobbed. 

Hearing what her mother said, Nerissa quickly interjected.

She was sure Malacai would take revenge himself; involving the cops would only complicate things further. 

"Mom, don't you remember what happened when we reported our case? Forget it."

Nerissa's words made Eleanor nod. She knew that the authorities had not been helpful at all; in fact, their problems worsened after reporting it.

Malacai, without moving, replied, "Sure… Mom, I will live here." 

He then looked at the time, noticing it was already afternoon. "But I need to go now. I have something to take care of."

"Where are you going?" Eleanor asked, with worry in her eyes.

Another weird feeling came to Malacai, as no one had ever asked him that before. 

Nerissa then answered, fearing he might be angry with all those questions. "We need to take his belongings, Mom."

"Don't you hear that, Riri? They are scum. What if they do something to you, too?" 

"I am sure they are doing this to get money from the government; they won't allow Malacai to leave." 

Eleanor felt worried about her daughter's well-being. Despite her empathy for Malacai, Nerissa was her daughter. She loved her more.

Nerissa replied with a confident smile, "No need to worry, Mom. You know I have taken some self-defense training. If it's dangerous, we will escape." 

Deep inside, Nerissa wasn't worried at all; with Malacai's abilities, the only danger she faced was Malacai himself.

After some more persuasion, Nerissa succeeded in convincing her mother. 

Now, both of them were riding in a taxi, their destination being Darius' house. 

It's located in one of the luxury neighborhoods in the city. Soon, a big four-story mansion came into their view.

They stepped down near the mansion. Nerissa then paid the driver. 

As Malacai looked at the mansion, deep in thought, he noticed the mansion was surrounded by a high fence, and he was sure there were many people inside it.

"What is your plan? You cannot just enter and kill everyone again," she said, her gaze filled with worry.

Looking at her gaze, Malacai smirked, "What, you worry about me now?"

"We don't know if my mother's treatment worked or not. I can't let you die now," Nerissa answered.

Malacai's dark eyes gazed deeply into hers. "Why do you care about your mom so much?"

"Of course I love her; she's my mom. She sacrificed everything for me, and I will do the same for her."

"Love… What is love for you, Nerissa?" 

The word was strange and alien to Malacai.

He asked out of curiosity about its meaning, but this made Nerissa overthink.

She stammered, "What? Why do you ask that? Do you want my heart too now?"

Malacai smirked, one of his hands grasping both of her cheeks. "Your heart? Aren't you already mine?"

Nerissa's eyes filled with defiance, "You may possess me, but not my heart."

Malacai's grin widened, "Not your heart, huh? Alright."

He then looked back at the mansion, but his thoughts were no longer on how to enter. 

'To raise my providence level, I need to dominate the hearts of four women. It seems it won't be easy.' 

With that thought, he stepped confidently toward the gate.

Nerissa, surprised by his sudden move, quickly ran after him.

They soon reached the iron gate, guarded by two muscular security guards.