Love the Second Time Around Novel

Chapter 76 As long As He Does Not Violate Me

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

Roughly discerning the direction in which the sound originated, I pinned my gaze there without even blinking once.

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.

line of sight with a bag in his hand after a few

from the bag, he placed

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

 Five million? He must have really lost his mind! 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

spend even a single penny of your five hundred thousand, so they can probably give you that much. But don’t you think five million is too much?

Slap!

 interrupted me before I could finish. In the

yanked it

asking you for money! Why? Are you that distressed on behalf of your lover? Liliana, you should actually thank me. This

ominous voice, he threatened, “Later, just repeat whatever

and his threat echoed in my ears, so I

repeat whatever you say. S-So,

Julius saw that I was being all docile and meek, he finally

he brought it close to

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

soon as I uttered the final word, he yanked the

long moment before putting it away. Then, he took out a bottle of mineral water from the bag

I saw him drugging the water, so why would

bit my lip hard, refusing to

he reached out and grasped my chin forcefully without a single word. Hauling me

agony. That was my downfall, for he instantly started pouring

my throat while streaming down my

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

of

restraining me, I didn’t think he would be so

my hand against the wall and stand up, but just after I got an inch off the floor, my knees went