Chapter 137: Foretelling Future

Repeat. It was morning now, another sleepless night for multiple reasons. And I was chained to Julian’s bed… again. He may have changed my bandages, but I refused to let him bathe me. I was worried that he’d try to dunk me underwater again and this time not let me back up. He was still feeding me healthy meals, determined to keep whatever was going inside of me healthy and strong. I knew I should be grateful, but… I hated Julian now more than ever.

*Is Mom on her way? Is anybody on their way?*

My olive-green gaze swerved to the hook-shaped object beneath Julian’s bed. I had forgotten the mirror’s shard last time on my grand escape and now I’m thankful for it. It’s my one last chance. I could feel it in my gut that this will be the last one that I’m getting. The third time won’t end pretty for me. I don’t even know what Julian will do to me if he catches me escaping for a second time. When he spoke to Grace, there was another chilly look in his eyes that I’d never seen before. Colder than a cutthroat and crazier than a dog with rabies. I’ve always had trouble predicting the man before, but this? I hated myself for ignoring my instincts. I should’ve run a long time ago and taken Liam’s offer when I was given the chance.

I have to wait for the right moment this time because it’ll be all or nothing. And by nothing? I mean never see the light of day. At least not until Mom and Gabriel get back. But what if he locks me up somewhere and tells Mom that I ran away again?? At this point, I wouldn’t put it past him… hit it where it hurt.

My head lifted when I heard the bedroom door creaking open. I already knew who it was with no need to look in that direction. “What is it now? I thought I told you to fuck off. Don’t you get I don’t wanna talk to you anymore?”

“That’s fine. I don’t want to even look at you.” My head spun when I heard Grace’s voice instead. Her blue eyes still held the viper’s gleam. “Julian had to go shopping.”

Huh? I looked towards the window. It was pouring down rain with another clap of thunder now and again. The roar of the storm outside must’ve drowned out the starting engine of Julian’s car. I looked at Grace warily. I couldn’t tell if she was hiding her knife or left it behind. “And? What’s that got to do with you?”

“You mean what’s that got to do with you?” She turned the topic on me. “Don’t you think this is the perfect chance for you to escape?”

I frowned bitterly. “Pfft. You’re fucking hilarious. Don’t pretend Julian didn’t tell you to keep an eye on me.”

Grace’s smile stretched into a grin, showing her snake nature. “It’s still the perfect opportunity, isn’t it?”

“Bullshit, asshole. You just want me to get caught. Shit, I bet you’ll purposely make me fail just so you can watch Julian punish me.” I spit at her feet. “Fuck you and mind your own fucking business.”

Grace’s smile faded into a nasty glare. “You know you’re never getting free, right? Even when our parents get home, Julian will never let you go. I don’t know what he sees in you, but I can tell that you’re just a replacement.”

“Replacement? For the fuck what??”

Her grin returned as if she had just seen something humorous. “He treats you the same way he treated our dog when we were kids. Loved her, cared for her, she was everything to him when Mom left us.”

“I’m a replacement for a fucking dog?” I scoffed. “You know what? Fuck you, Grace. You can go fuck yourself too.”

“No, I’m serious.” The look in her blue embers turned malevolent as she crouched on her knees. “He loved her to death. Well, until she did die.”

“Huh?” My agitation flipped into caution. “The hell do you mean? Was she old and sick? Or did she get hit by a car?”

“Don’t know.” She shrugged. “We just found her dead. But what Dad didn’t notice…” She leaned in closer to whisper to me. “She had been running off to the neighbor’s house because they had a male dog and she was in heat. Tsk, tsk. Poor Julian. First Mom leaves and then his stupid dog? Bummer.”

My blood ran cold when I realized what she was implying. I needed to know what was waiting for me. “What did Gabriel think about the dog’s death?”

“Oh, you know, the usual when you live near the forest.” Grace smiled sweetly. “A wild animal must’ve gotten a hold of her. She was pretty messed up.” When Grace stood back up, she brushed off her knees. “Well, good luck getting out of here on your own, *mutt.*”

My horror turned into outrage. “You piece of SHIT!” I screamed before she closed the door. I couldn’t believe it, but I could tell she wasn’t lying. That settles it. I can’t wait for Mom’s miracle appearance. But at the same time, I knew, now more than ever, I had to be very careful with each step unless I wanted to end up like their dead family pet.

*Then what the fuck am I supposed to do? Do I take a chance and run for it again while Julian isn’t home? But what if he’s on his way already? Not to mention I know Grace will rat me out in a heartbeat… Fucking snake. After telling me a story like that, it sounds like she* wants *me to bite the dust!*

I took in a deep breath in an attempt to calm my nerves. *Calm down. Just calm the fuck down. If I start flipping out, then I am chin-deep in shit.* I looked at the mirror shard beneath Julian’s bed again and told myself that now wasn’t the right time. I think…

I didn’t realize the rain was easing until I heard the engine of an approaching car. *That must be Julian.* I mentally prepare myself to be covered in hugs and kisses. Being touched had always been annoying to me. As if I were a grouchy cat. But there was something about Julian’s touches that gave me goosebumps. And not the good kind.

In moments, Julian came into his bedroom and his dead expression lit up as soon as our eyes made contact. “There’s my Beautiful.”

I silently turned my head away, glaring at the floor.

“I missed you. Did you miss me too?” He asked affectionately.

I still kept my mouth shut. I didn’t even want to look at that bastard’s face. A flawlessly handsome face that captivated me now made me sick nowadays.

“Beautiful?” The affection in his voice was starting to sound impatient. “Look at me.” He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. “You missed me too, right?”

“Fuck off!” I snapped. Old habits die hard and I will forever be disobedient.

A cold frown creased his lips. I noticed lately that he’s been losing patience with me. “You shouldn’t talk to your master that way, Beautiful.”

Instead of letting his words rile me up, I tried to keep focused. “Where did our parents go?”

Julian was silent for a moment before his smile returned, but it held sadness. “Do you not like spending so much alone time with me, Beautiful?” He murmured while tucking some of my curly hair behind my ear.

“Stop fucking around, Julian,” I growled. My patience was far thinner than his.

I should’ve known better and held my anger in place. I knew I fucked up when his frown turned hostile. “Where they went doesn’t matter. All that matters is you–”

“All that matters is THEM, Julian! Them! Mom is gonna FLIP when she sees me like this!” My thigh had become so sore that it was hard to put pressure on it and both of my hands were still swollen. I hated admitting my physical weakness, but I was running out of options. “I’m not feeling good. You gotta get my ass to a hospital.”

*And get me the fuck away from you!*

Julian’s lips pursed with worry when he looked down at my darkened thigh and I saw that glimmer of hope again. Will he really take me to the hospital??