I'm a demon in disguise — wearing the skin of a good man. No one knows that, because I hide it well. I know how to smile politely when given food, how to look grateful, how to cry when someone needs to see me suffer.
Mr. and Mrs. Cao took me in when I was just a ragged little boy. A "poor, unfortunate child." But what they didn't know was that the real misfortune began the day they brought me into their home. Because that was the day I saw her.
Cao Ni Ni. Their daughter. Pure. Innocent. And blindingly bright.
I still remember the first time she smiled at me. Not a polite smile for a stranger, but a genuine one — the kind of smile only a child who believes the world is safe can give. Her eyes were clear, trusting, inviting. She let me in. And unknowingly, she locked the door behind me.
I loved her. In my own way.
When she slept, I kissed her cheek in secret.
When she ate, I watched her through reflections.
When she played, I threw her toys away — just to see her cry, just so I could be the one to comfort her. I didn't know how to get her attention, so I broke things. She'd cry, I'd wipe her tears. She'd pout, I'd apologize. She'd laugh again, and I'd fall deeper.
Once, I asked to sleep beside her — claiming I was scared of ghosts. But how could a demon fear ghosts? I just wanted to be closer. That night, I kissed her again.
But Mrs. Cao saw me.
They kicked me out that same day. No goodbye. No explanations. They dumped me in a desolate place like I was garbage. As if I'd never existed.
I cried. Then I laughed. And then I killed them.
A knife for Mr. Cao. A knife for Mrs. Cao.
Warm blood. Familiar silence. That was the sound of a dream crumbling.
I didn't know how to get back to the mansion. It took me thirteen years to find her again.
Thirteen years for the demon in me to grow — stronger, colder, smarter. I learned how to kill without leaving a trace.
And there she was. Still bright. Still innocent. Still driving me insane.
But now, there were other women around her. Noisy, nosy, useless. I killed them in the night. Quietly. Cleanly. I didn't let her see. I just wanted her to be alone — with me.
I became her butler. Stayed by her side every day. She smiled at me again. This time, I didn't cry. I had her.
I made her need me. I fed her, brushed her hair, played with her. She called me "the most important person."
I should've killed her then. But I hesitated. I was weak. I loved her too much.
Then I remembered what someone once told me:
"Demons don't get exceptions. If you fall in love with someone — you must kill them."
So I killed her.
Not out of hate. But love.
I didn't cry. I didn't regret it. I was happy.
Because now she would stay with me forever.
She couldn't run.
She couldn't grow up and fall for someone else.
She couldn't throw me away like her parents did.
I placed her in a glass coffin, surrounded by flowers. I whispered to her:
"Cao Ni Ni, I love you. Let my love pull you down to hell with me. And down there, remember me."
Then I kissed her hand — gently, like I did the first time, thirteen years ago, when I was still a small demon who knew how to love.
But this isn't the end.
One day, I will find your soul.
And when I do,
You won't just die again.
You'll love me back.
With every inch of your despair.