Lucifer's Last Sin ✔️

• Chapter Twenty Four •

"The cops have found Ram's dead body. He was murdered eight days ago," Naya's voice quivered, as she delivered the devastating news.

"Jesus Christ! Lucifer killed him too. He annihilated the entire Kapoor family," Richard cried.

"Have they found any leads on Nandu's whereabouts?" Aryaman inquired, his voice shaking with fear.

"Not yet," Navya retorted. "But they say they are doing everything they can to find her."

"Lucifer has already killed Dhruv, Priya, and now Ram. Arya, we can't rely on the corrupt officers. They won't lift a finger to rescue Nandu from the devil's clutches. We must take matters into our own hands."

Navya agreed. "I concur with you, Rich. Hey, Aryaman, please reach out to your journalist friend Damon. He's our only hope in this dark hour."

Aryaman nodded, "I will call him right away."

✦✧✦✧

Manik was lost in his thoughts when Mukti walked into the bar. "Bud," she grumbled, "I have tried everything to persuade Nandani, but she still refuses to eat her meals. Her constant tantrums are becoming too much for me to handle."

Manik rose quickly from the couch, crushing the cigarette beneath his shoes. "I'll deal with her. While I am away, look into the profiles of our new clients," he ordered, handing her the files.

Manik's mind raced as he walked to the bedroom, his heart heavy with worry. There, he found Nandani, sitting on the floor. Her once-lustrous hair had become a tangled mess, and her body shuddered.

He knelt beside her, his voice filled with affection. "Mon ange, what's the matter?"

Manik's heart shattered into a million pieces as he looked into Nandani's tear-filled eyes. He yearned to hold her in his arms and kiss away her pain.

"Can you not forgive me? Can you not be mine?" he whispered. "I know, mon amour, that I have committed a grave mistake by killing Dhruv. I am filled with guilt, and I beg for your understanding and mercy. Je t'aime, mon chérie."

Nandani looked at him angrily. "It wasn't a mere mistake, Lucifer. You sinned. And what did you just say? That you're sorry for taking his life? Can your apology resurrect my Dhruv? My love for him is eternal, and he will always hold a place in my heart and soul. I belong to Dhruv and no one else."

Manik clenched his fist tightly. "No, mon ange, you belong to me. You're Lucifer's angel. Dhruv is gone, and you need to accept that. Now, stop shedding those tears, and finish your meal quickly, or I'll find another way to make sure you're fed."

"Didn't your men inform you that I have no desire to eat? Go away from my sight. For god's sake leave me alone," she implored, pushing him away.

Manik's fingers curled around Nandani's hair, tugging her closer. "Why are you not afraid of me, mon ange?"

"Why should I be afraid of you?" she shot back defiantly.

"I am Lucifer. I can hurt you, torture you or even kill you,"  he murmured.

"Go ahead."

"I love you, mon ange."

"But, I don't!"

"I love you," he whispered again, his voice quivering.

"I will never be yours," she replied, her gaze locked with his.

"I love you," a tear cascaded down his cheek.

"I hate you," she retorted.

Manik's heart shattered into a million pieces. His lips were parched, his mouth dry, rendering him speechless. He turned away unable to meet Nandani's eyes, for they held nothing but hatred.

"I'll arrange for someone to bring food to the room. Eat and rest," he ordered.

"I WILL NOT EAT A SINGLE BITE," Nandani screamed.

"Very well. I will kill your best friend Navya, her boyfriend Richard, and your beloved Aryaman Khurrana," Manik uttered. "I will give them a painful death."

"No, you can't do that," Nandani cried.

"I can, mon ange," Manik laughed sardonically. "And I will. I am Lucifer. I am merciless. I can kill anybody. If you wish to see your friends alive, eat your meal. I will come back in ten minutes."

Nandani screamed, "Lucifer, you monster! Come back here, you scumbag!" but Manik was already gone.

Alya entered the room with a food trolley.

"Nandani, calm down," she spoke softly, "I am here to help you."

"Who are you?" Nandani, asked curiously.

Alya revealed her identity. "I am Alya Saxena, the mother of Manik's unborn child. Our affair is clandestine."

Nandani's eyes widened in disbelief as she exclaimed, "What? Are you serious?"

Alya nodded. "I know it's hard to believe, but it's true, Nandani. Manik loved me immensely. But, ever since you came into his life, everything changed. He turned away from me."

Nandani's anger flared up. "I don't love him, Alya. He means nothing to me. I was living a happy life with my fiancé but Manik ruined it all. He killed my beloved Dhruv!"

Alya retorted, "I know everything. That's why I am here to help you escape this hell."

Nandani laughed "Oh, so you want me to trust you now?"

Alya pulled out a phone from her trouser's pocket, extending it to Nandani. "Do you believe me now" she asked.

"Do you even care about your own life? If Manik finds out you helped me escape, he won't show you any mercy," Nandani cautioned.

Alya reassured her. "Don't worry. He will never find out that I helped you escape."

Nandani nodded. "Alright, tell me what's the plan?" she leaned in closer.

"You must pretend to satisfy his every whim," Alya whispered. "After the dinner, go to bed and pretend to sleep. Manik goes to sleep around 2 a.m.

She continued. "I will come to your room at precisely 2:15 a.m. We will go to the basement together. There is a hidden back door that leads to freedom."

✦✧✦✧

Manik was sitting on a barstool, boozing.

"What's the matter, Manik? You look so troubled?" Cabir inquired.

Manik's voice quivered as he confided, "I don't know why I am feeling this way, Cabir. I am terrified. It feels as though everything I hold dear is slipping through my fingers."

Cabir's eyes softened. He spoke gently, "Manik, my champ. You're just overthinking. Where is the Manik I once knew? The one who fearlessly faced the world, instilling fear in the hearts of all who crossed his path."

"Earlier I had nothing to lose. Nandani has now become my greatest weakness. Lucifer is terrified at the mere thought of losing his angel," Manik confessed. "Why, Cabir? Why am I so afraid today."

"You will be destroyed one day, Lucifer and the entire world will see your destruction. I curse you. I curse you monster," Nandani's words echoed in his ears.