Love the Second Time Around Novel

Chapter 77 Out Of The Woods

I darted my eyes around, but all that greeted me were sloping hills and farmland. The place I had been kept in appeared to be an abandoned granary.

Julius forged ahead with me in his arms, only stopping when he reached the side of the road. I sensed that he was waiting for someone or a car. Incredulity flooded me.

Isn’t he afraid that someone will see him?

Shortly after, a rackety van came to a stop before us. A tanned and stocky man proceeded to climb out of the vehicle.

I didn’t recognize him, and I initially thought that he was Julius’ accomplice. But after listening to their conversation, I felt that it wasn’t quite the case. Instead, it sounded like a car service.

Julius didn’t talk much to the man before he carried me into the vehicle. The van promptly started moving again.

After some time, it came to a stop. By then, the sky had already lightened considerably.

When the man driving the van left, Julius carried me into a small bungalow.

While we were on our way in earlier, small bungalows such as this littered both sides of the road. It was exceedingly messy, and an unpleasant stench lingered in the air.

Julius placed me on the bed before binding my hands and legs with the rope once again. Then, he left with the tablet.

Hmm… he’s probably going to fiddle with the recording, but I really wonder how he’s going to send it to Dominic. Jeez, I didn’t expect him to demand five million! I don’t even know whether Dominic can save me.

I wiggled slightly, but my hands and legs were securely bound. If only I could move, I’d get to the door and cry for help even if I had to crawl there on my hands and knees!

Recalling my paralyzed condition then, a bolt of fear suddenly lanced through me. Ugh! What kind of drug did he give me? If I’m to remain like this for the rest of my life, I’d rather he just kill me.

I had no idea what kind of place it was, but I kept hearing noises from outside soon after Julius left.

I was thrilled at first, thinking that someone was coming to my rescue. However, not a single soul appeared though the racket grew all the louder.

in a populated

on the bed, I tried my best to keep my eyes open while my gaze remained fixated on the door. I truly hoped that

when I don’t want to see him.

the room door

face. A jubilant smirk tugged at his lips as he sneered, “I didn’t know that he regards you so dearly that

remark, a thousand questions promptly popped up in my

agreed? Then, has Julius gotten the money? Is he going to

worry, for I’ll certainly let

bit of joy when I heard him

vicious glint in his eyes made me

at me. I saw him putting something into

he yanked on my hair and forced my mouth open, pouring the entire bottle of water

I slumped back onto the bed as though

first time this happened, I was still aware

head growing heavier. I started seeing double, and despite my best efforts to keep my eyes open, I slowly slipped into the

was dreaming. Many people were calling out to me in the

familiar—my parents, Dominic, and also Shannon. Their voices washed over me

a dream repeated itself time and again, the voices becoming clearer

the end, I felt my mother’s presence right beside me, her

Lili… Lili, I’m right here… Won’t you please wake

and that prompted questions to flood my mind. What’s wrong with her? And what happened to me? Why is she asking me to

the heels of

it

on here? Why does he

sliver of light and something hovering on the edges of my

it was indeed my

tried several times

Tears stained my mother’s face, and it was a completely different look from her