Love the Second Time Around

Chapter 76 As long As He Does Not Violate Me

The sound seemed very close to me, and I wondered whether Julius was back.

A few minutes passed, but still, no one came into sight despite the continual noise.

“Is that you, Julius?” I couldn’t help asking in a holler.

My voice reverberated around the space, yet there was no sign of anyone.

Subsequently, I felt something scurrying across my lap even as squeaks drifted into my ears.

Oh my God, it’s a rat! Fear struck me, and I shuddered violently.

I inexorably tucked my legs closer to my body.

Ugh! I’m most terrified of rats! I’m not even afraid of whatever Julius might do to me now, be it hitting me or tearing into me. At least he’s a living person, and it’s way better than being here alone with those creatures!

At the thought of him, Coraline came to mind.

Jeez, how stupid am I that I was duped again? As the saying goes, once bitten, twice shy. Everyone knows that except me. Despite having been sabotaged by them both countless times on end, I was still dumbly eager to put myself in the line of fire. Gah! Oh well, Coraline’s acting skills were truly top-notch as well, even surpassing that of Nicholas and Scarlett’s.

I lifted my head and stared up at the infinite sea of pitch-black darkness above me. A sense of utter helplessness inundated me.

If only I’d known that things would come to this, I would’ve immediately told Dominic where I was when he phoned me. Why the hell did I act so childishly? I wonder if he would be able to find me when I only said Ho for Horington. Argh!

After an indeterminate amount of time, a sound snagged my attention again. This time, I could tell that it was the sound of footsteps.

Sure enough, Julius entered my line of sight with a bag in his hand after a few minutes.

a tablet from the bag, he placed it

prepare five million if he wants to see you again. Also, warn him that he’s not allowed to lodge

If he wants his initial five hundred thousand, Dominic will probably be willing to pay, but he has actually jacked it up tenfold! Putting aside the fact that Dominic might not have that much money, our relationship doesn’t warrant him paying that exorbitant sum. Who am

penny of your five hundred thousand, so they can probably give you that much. But don’t you think five

Slap!

crisp smack interrupted me before I could finish. In the next

my hair and yanked it backward, jerking my

that distressed on behalf of your lover? Liliana, you

cold and ominous voice, he threatened, “Later, just repeat whatever I tell you. Don’t you dare utter a single word more, or I’ll break

my scalp stinging, and his threat echoed in my ears, so I truly didn’t dare say anything

whatever you say. S-So, how

all docile and meek, he finally released his

recorder software on the tablet, he brought it close

glance, I began repeating everything he said earlier under his intent scrutiny, his gaze

uttered the final word,

bottle of mineral water from the bag and unscrewed

me? I saw him drugging the water, so why would

lip hard,

my chin forcefully without a single word. Hauling me up, he then slammed his

pain assaulted me, my mouth instinctively opened from the agony. That was

my throat while streaming down my neck,

somewhere else now, so you’ve got to behave!” Julius declared

the floor, panting. All of a sudden, he untied the rope

without the rope restraining me, I didn’t think

I got an inch off the floor, my knees went weak