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.

me all alone in a populated place and went off

to keep my eyes open while my gaze remained fixated on the

him. But now that I need him,

 click before the room door swung open. Julius

sneered, “I didn’t know that he regards you so dearly that he would agree to pay five million without

a thousand questions

gotten the money? Is he going to let

let you

I heard him saying that he would let me go. Conversely, a chill ran

expression on his face was too bizarre, and the vicious glint in his eyes made me want to shy away

something

my mouth open, pouring the entire bottle of water

he released his hold on me, I slumped back onto the bed as though boneless. I could only watch

still aware

I gradually felt my head growing heavier. I started seeing double, and despite my best efforts to keep my

dreaming. Many people were calling out to me in

were very familiar—my parents, Dominic, and also Shannon. Their

itself time and again, the

I felt my mother’s presence right beside me,

here… Won’t you please wake up,

 What’s wrong with her? And

of that, a sigh

that it

Why does he sound so

light and something hovering on the edges of my vision.

vision cleared, and I saw that it

I tried several times before I could

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