Chapter 79 The Woman Who will Rule Hell Beside The Devil
Evelyn’s POV
All I wanted was a day alone—one single day where no one, not even Lorenzo, would come barging in to control my life, my breath, or my thoughts.
It was already past ten a.m, and somehow, that alone felt like an achievement. I had managed to visit the restroom for the first time since morning. The silence in the room was almost sacred, and I clung to it desperately, thankful that Lorenzo had been away all night. The air didn’t feel heavy with his presence; it didn’t feel like he had slipped in at some point just to watch me breathe.
When I finished washing up, I lingered in the bathroom longer than necessary, staring at my reflection—pale, exhausted, eyes shadowed by everything I refused to say out loud. Then I turned off the light and stepped back into the bedroom, already planning to crawl under the covers and disappear for the rest of the day.
But as expected, privacy was the last thing that could be offered in this house.
Patricia stood in the middle of the room. Her hands were folded in front of her, professional and waiting, like she had always been there.
I rolled my eyes before releasing a long, frustrating breath. “Jesus Christ!” My hands flew to my chest. “Ma. Pat. You startled me.”
She didn’t move much, but from her eyes, I could see how hard she was trying to apologize. “I didn’t mean to, Ms. Martins.”
I took a slow step back, obviously curious. Patricia hardly visits this room.
“How long have you been standing there?” I asked, my voice coming out thinner than I intended.
“Not long, Ms. Martins,” she replied softly. “I knocked, but you didn’t answer.”
Of course I hadn’t. I hadn’t been listening. I hadn’t been prepared to face anyone.
I pulled my robe tighter around myself, suddenly aware of how exposed I felt. “What do you want?”
She hesitated, just for a second. “I was sent by Lucifer.”
My eyes widened in irritation. “Huh? For what?”
She didn’t reply immediately, but after a few moments, she continued.
“There is a charity gala being held tonight, and you’re expected to get ready as well.”
A tiny mocking smile crossed my face. “Charity gala? And I’m just getting to know about it?”
“Ms. Martins….”
I interrupted her before she could even say more than two words. “And who said I want to be part of any of his silly parties?”
I was expecting Patricia to be angry at me, perhaps because I had raised my voice at her. Instead, she gave me a warm, motherly smile, and within a few short strides, she was already standing close to me.
“Ms. Martins, honestly, I’ll be lying if I tell you that I don’t understand your frustration.”
Her hand hovered midair beside my shoulder, as though she was deliberating whether to touch me or not. But my eyes said it all. She gently held the corner of my shoulder, gave it a soft, reassuring tap, then continued.
“You see…..from the night Lucifer brought you into this home, there was something I saw in you, something I believe anyone with eyes must have seen too. The fire in you. How young you are, yet unafraid to stand your ground, to challenge anyone…. even the almighty Lucifer, feared by all. Everything about you was exceptional.”
She paused, her grip gentle but steady.
“And trust me, Ms. Martins, I believe Lucifer sees it too. He just finds it difficult to blend in, to meet you where you stand. But I know crowning you his queen tonight will make it easier for you both to see that you are meant for each other.”
I jerked away from her touch.
“Wait! What?” I blurted.
“Crown who his queen?” My hands flew to my chest as if to shield myself. “What does that even mean?”
She didn’t even try to pretend it was a slip of the tongue. Patricia moved closer again, her eyes warmer now.
“The charity gala being held tonight is where people from different tribes all around America come to this place with their prayer requests. Lucifer takes their wishes and grants as many as possible, but in return, a life is given as a reward.”
The walls of my heart slammed, each pump faster than the last.
So Lorenzo was never lying, people were willingly giving out lives in exchange for favor. How could they all be blinded by greed?
I managed to force my eyes on Patricia. “So what’s my role in this, and why do they have to crown me?”
“News has spread that Lucifer has seen his long-lost love,” she said. “But from what I heard, he refuses to accept her, so he would be using you to distract the people for the moment.”
My chest twisted painfully.
So it has gotten to the point where he now uses me as just a distraction?
As if Patricia heard my thoughts, she pulled me by the shoulders and turned me to face her.
“Ms. Martins,” she said softly. “I don’t know you that well, but whenever I look at you, I see my late daughter…..”
“Oh my heavens. I’m so sorry. I never had any idea about your family. I’m sorry for bringing back your pain.”
She smiled, though the pain behind it was unmistakable.
“No, sweetheart. It’s not your fault. It’s been a long time since it happened. I’ve been a single mother for years, and losing her left a scar I can never erase. Working here makes it a little easier to forget the hard times.”
Her tone faded afterward.
I lifted her hands and enclosed them in mine, my gaze lingering on hers, filled with a softness I could no longer hold back.
“All will be well, Pat.”
She chuckled. “I know that, darling.”
Her thumb creased my skin. “Now, please, can you do me the favor of allowing me to get you ready for the event? Lucifer will be mad if I don’t. It’s happening tonight.”
My lips parted to argue, but I held it back.
“Fine.”
“But can you at least explain what you mean by crowning me at the event? It doesn’t make any sense.”
Patricia exhaled softly, took my hand, and led me to the bed. We sat down slowly, side by side, but my eyes never left hers. I was more than ready to hear everything she had to say.
After a short silence, she started.
“Ms. Martins.” She turned fully toward me. “This position is one every other girl would kill to have. I was shocked when Gideon told me about Lucifer’s decision, but one thing I’m certain of is that this will be one of your greatest trials. Lucifer’s enemies will come after you because they’ll see you as his weakness. That’s why you must stand by him, trust him with your life, and he will give you all the protection you need.”
A chill crawled through my spine.
“But he isn’t a king. Why does he need a queen?”
Patricia smirked faintly. “Lucifer isn’t a king on earth, but he rules hell. And for the devil to rule successfully in hell, he needs his crown, so you are his crown now.”
My head spun as I tried to understand everything, but no matter how hard I tried, it was never coming together.
Patricia studied my face before helping me up. “Don’t worry, my dear. With time, you will understand everything.”
I looked at her face longer than normal, searching for anything that could give me answers to my million questions, but none came.
Finally, I gave her a faint nod without a word.
“So, can we get to work?”
“Y-e-s….”
I rose to my feet at once and headed for the bathroom, while Patricia quietly moved toward my closet.
By the time I stepped out, the air was still clinging to my skin. She stood by the wall, her head bowed respectfully, eyes fixed on the floor as though she hadn’t moved an inch.
“Pat, you’re still here?” I asked, drying my damp body with a white towel.
“Yes, my lady,” she replied quickly, lifting her head just enough to meet my eyes before motioning toward the dressing table.
She guided me gently to the vanity, her movements careful, almost ceremonial. Piece by piece, she dressed me, silk sliding over my skin, delicate fabric settling perfectly where it should. She fastened every clasp with precision, smoothed every crease, and adjusted every detail as though she were preparing royalty for a coronation.
When she was done, Patricia stepped back and turned me toward the mirror.
For a moment, I barely recognized the woman staring back at me.
The dress clung to me with quiet elegance, falling gracefully, regal in every line. My hair framed my face flawlessly, my reflection glowing with a confidence I hadn’t realized I possessed. I lifted my hand slowly, touching the glass, almost afraid the image might disappear.
A soft breath escaped my lips.
Patricia smiled behind me, pride shining in her eyes.
“You look like a princess, my lady,” she said gently.
I turned around to meet her, my cheeks hurting from blushing, a tiny strand of tears almost betraying me. “Thank you, Pat.”
I hugged her before I could stop myself.
We stayed that way for a long while, like a moment between mother and child, and I couldn’t help but remember when my parents were still alive.
The next minute, a knock came from the door, and we separated immediately while Patricia went to answer it.
I turned back to the mirror, smiling at my own image, taking in every detail, while Patricia’s voice came out in a low whisper from the conversation she was having at the door.
When she came back, she wore a pitiful, reassuring expression.
I moved over to her. “Pat? What’s wrong?”
“It’s time. The people are waiting to meet the woman who will rule hell beside the devil,” she said.
My heart hammered violently. Fear crept in, but I masked it. I was never going to show my weakness to them that easily.
“It’s fine, Pat.” I forced a smile. “I’m ready.”