Psycho villain I Raised Wants to Marry Me-Chapter278 – A dinner party

After giving Abyss a quick rinse, Clarissa walked to the kitchen. She opened the freezer and started pulling things out — a box of chicken breasts, ten eggs, a pile of vegetables and fruit, and a stack of canned food.
Abyss’s eyes immediately lit up. The moment she set the food down, he darted over, tail swishing, and began devouring his meal with enthusiasm that almost made her laugh.
Feeding a creature that size was a full workout. By the time Clarissa was done, she was covered in a thin sheen of sweat. She stripped off her apron and gloves and made a beeline for the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, freshly showered and bone-tired, she slipped under the covers. The moment her head hit the pillow, sleep took her. Abyss sprawled out on the rug beside the bed, his quiet breathing syncing with hers.
But as the night deepened, Clarissa’s brow furrowed.
In her dream, she found herself standing in a vast, unfamiliar place. Black feathers drifted down from the sky — soft, slow, almost glowing in the dim light. They brushed against her hands, carrying a strange, gentle warmth.
A white butterfly fluttered past. Without thinking, she followed it.
Tap, tap, tap… Footsteps echoed faintly ahead. Clarissa quickened her pace — but when she turned the corner, the figure she was chasing vanished into thin air.
The next morning, sunlight slipped through the curtains and fell across her face. Clarissa stirred, slowly opening her eyes. She sat up, rubbing her messy hair.
That dream again.
Two years ago, she’d fallen seriously ill — so ill she couldn’t even remember what had happened. Her grandfather had treated her, and she’d recovered, but her memories from that time were still foggy. Whenever she asked, he’d simply told her it wasn’t important.
And so she hadn’t pressed.
But then the dreams started. The same scene every time — those black feathers drifting in the air, soft and warm, never frightening. Sometimes there were white butterflies too. And every time she had that dream, she slept peacefully till morning.
Clarissa still remembered one winter day during her recovery. Snowflakes had drifted past her window, cold against her skin. In her memory, someone’s voice echoed softly — *“Such a beautiful piece. What a shame it’ll never be heard by the world. But it’s alright… you can play it for me alone.”*
Whose voice was that?
The memory blurred and faded, but the feeling it left behind — that bittersweet longing — lingered. That was the day she’d suddenly felt the urge to compose *“Feather.”*
She had spent six months at her grandfather’s estate recuperating, and when *“Feather”* was finally released, it became an instant global sensation.
Abyss stirred, stretching his limbs before hopping onto the bed beside her. The mattress groaned under his weight.
Clarissa laughed, reaching out to pat his head. “How many times have I told you not to jump on the bed? You broke the last one.”
Abyss whimpered softly, lowering his head in mock guilt before hopping off.
Clarissa smiled and went to the bathroom. As usual, Abyss followed her like a shadow.
“I know, I know — you’re hungry,” she said, glancing down at him. “But first, we’re brushing your teeth.”
At the word *“brush,”* Abyss’s expression immediately shifted from eager to horrified. He turned tail and tried to bolt, but Clarissa was faster, slamming the bathroom door shut with a laugh.
“Oh no you don’t! You haven’t brushed in a week — you’ll get tartar if I let you go like this.”
She caught him by the scruff and dragged him in, his claws sliding helplessly across the slick floor.
“Good boy,” she coaxed, prying his jaws open and scrubbing his teeth with gentle determination. “Just a little longer and you’ll get your treat…”
Abyss whimpered and wagged his tail wildly, but he didn’t resist. Five minutes later, it was done.
Clarissa rewarded him by pulling a box of beef from the fridge. She cut half into cubes for beef porridge, then tossed the rest into the blender with fruits, vegetables, and eggs. The mix went into his bowl, and Abyss devoured it happily.
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Clarissa leaned against the counter and sighed. “Raising a big cat like you should count as cardio.”
Still, her smile was warm. In the two years she’d lived alone, Abyss had been her only constant companion — loyal, steady, and always there when the world got quiet.
As she stirred the porridge on the stove, a name popped into her head. Phoenix. She should be at the Wraith family estate today — after all, in just a few days, she’d officially take over as head of the family.
Clarissa picked up her phone and dialed.
After a few rings, a bright, familiar voice answered, “Hello? Clarissa?”
Clarissa grinned. “Phoenix, congratulations on becoming the new head of the family.”
Phoenix chuckled lightly on the other end. “Please. It was inevitable.”
Clarissa laughed. “Didn’t you come to my performance last night?”
“I did,” Phoenix replied. “Just finished work and came straight there, but it was already halfway over. I stood outside the booth for a bit.” She took a sip of tea. “There’s a banquet in a few days to celebrate the succession. You’re coming with me, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then promise me one thing — no all-black outfits. Dress up properly for once.”
“Hey, black looks great. Understated luxury. You wear black all the time too.”
Phoenix groaned. “Yeah, but you make it look like a funeral dress.”
“Alright, alright — my porridge’s about to burn. Hanging up now.”
“Clarissa—wait—”
Click.
Clarissa put down her phone, shaking her head with a smile as she stirred the bubbling porridge. The rich smell of beef filled the kitchen, and Abyss thumped his tail expectantly against the floor.
Staring at the black screen of her phone, Clarissa let out a quiet sigh of relief. She ladled herself a bowl of porridge, carried it outside, and sat down to eat slowly.
She had nothing scheduled for the day. After finishing her meal, she brewed a pot of tea and returned to her room, where she practiced piano straight through the afternoon.
When evening arrived, she found herself frowning at her empty kitchen counter. Eating alone again. And she still hadn’t figured out what to make for dinner.
Just as she sighed, her phone vibrated beside her. She glanced at the screen—Daphne.
“Hello?”
“Clarissa! There’s a dinner party tonight, wanna come?”
“A dinner party?”
“I went to your concert yesterday—it was amazing, seriously. I’m hosting a drinking party tonight. Come over. Don’t worry, I won’t make you drink. Just keep me company.”
“Dinner is fine,” Clarissa said. “But I’m not meeting any random guys. Don’t pull the crap you did last time.”
“Ugh, I know, I know! Fine! I give up—you haven’t dated anyone for years. Don’t you have any physical needs?”
Clarissa pinched the bridge of her nose. “Do you have to say everything out loud? Not everyone’s as blunt as you.”
“Yes, yes. I’m a normal human being with normal desires—unlike a certain someone who’s practically ascended to monkhood.”
“Alright. Just send me the address. I’ll head over soon.”
Daphne gave her the location, and Clarissa hung up, then stood and walked to her wardrobe.
Only to freeze.
Her wardrobe was… entirely black. Rows and rows of black dresses in every possible cut and fabric. Clarissa stared at them, stunned that she hadn’t noticed sooner.
And last night, she had suddenly remembered someone—someone else who loved black.
At first she thought it was Phoenix, but the more she thought about it… the less it felt like Phoenix at all.
Clarissa drifted off into thought until Abyss thumped her leg with her tail, snapping her back to reality. She grabbed a simple black dress and slipped it on, letting her long hair fall loosely over her shoulders.
When she finally looked in the mirror, she blinked. Her skin was pale and luminous, her lips a natural soft red, her eyes bright like stars. She rarely bothered with makeup anymore—hadn’t in years. Even on stage, she preferred no makeup and a plain black dress.
As Daphne said, she had no interest in worldly things anymore—completely absorbed in her piano and her work.
But… Clarissa glanced at the piano. Something flickered in her eyes. An emotion she didn’t have words for. She ran her fingers across the keys. The instrument was jet-black, polished, well maintained.
If she had to name the feeling, maybe it was tied to her music—an ache, a longing, something warm and distant that lived between the notes.
She shook her head hard. God, she was being ridiculous. Feeling desire for someone who might not even exist.
She knelt down and rubbed Abyss’s head. “Let’s go.” Abyss flicked her tail, agreeing.
As they stepped out the door, an employee stopped her. “Abyss—is she staying with us, or will you take her in yourself? Do we need to prep food for him?”
“He can’t be away from me too long. Prepare food for him.” She paused. “And please don’t cage her. She hates it.”
“Understood.”
Clarissa walked inside, high heels tapping softly against the floor. The moment she entered, every gaze in the room shifted toward her. The men hesitated after noticing the enormous black creature walking at her heel.
Rumor had it that every man who tried to pursue Clarissa met an awful end. One guy went bankrupt and killed himself; another had all his assets drained by his wife. Virgil got off easy—his bank cards were frozen for months, keeping him from stirring up trouble.
Clarissa ignored the stares and kept walking.
The door to the private room swung open, and Daphne rushed out, grabbing her hand with dramatic relief.
“You’re finally here! I’ve been waiting forever. Oh—Abyss is here too! Come here, big guy, let me pet—”
Abyss fixed her with a cold glare and growled.
Daphne froze, then yanked her hand back with a stiff smile. “She’s still so stingy… Why’s she so damn fierce every time?”
Maddox, who had been standing nearby, sighed. “You should just give up.”
Daphne snapped her head toward him. “Shut up! Go call the waiter and tell them to bring the food. My brother’s coming later—so make sure everything’s perfect.”
Maddox sighed again and trudged off.
Clarissa watched him go, one brow raised. “So you’re serious this time?”
Daphne huffed, crossing her arms. “Fine, yes. I admit it. But his family’s dealing with some… issues.”
She waved it off. “Forget that. Come sit with me. It’s been forever since we hung out.”
Clarissa looked around and relaxed—most of the people here were her close friends from university. The air felt familiar, warm.
Just then, the door opened and an absurdly handsome man walked in.
He had striking, almond-shaped eyes and sharp, refined features—so similar to Daphne’s that Clarissa immediately assumed they were related.
And something about him tugged at her memory.
Clarissa frowned slightly. “Are you… a doctor?”
Ronan glanced at her, a knowing spark in his eyes, and smiled with impeccable gentlemanly charm. “Miss Clarissa, have we met?”
“You just look a little familiar.”
“That means you and I are destined to meet.” His eyes lit up with excitement as he started to sit beside her—but Daphne grabbed him by the ear before he could even lower himself.