Chapter 138: Terror On The Horizon

“Hmm.” Julian tilted his head as he inspected my thigh and hands with his vision first. “How badly does it hurt?–”

I gave a pained shriek and winced when his finger lightly grazed my thigh. I didn’t have to act on that. It hurt like hell.

Julian grimaced. He hated seeing me in pain. That was comforting, at least. “I’m sorry, Beautiful. I’ll see what I can do.” He stared at me with an intensity that didn’t make me relax, even after his comforting words. “... You’re not trying to escape again, are you?”

“What?” I didn’t have to force my hostility, either. “You motherfucker, you really think I’m capable of getting out of here now?! Look at what you did to me!”

My merciless accusation made the suspicion in his eyes fade, regret and guilt replacing it. He leaned down and kissed my cheek, making me tense up. “I’ll get you some help, Beautiful.”

*GET me some help?!*

I didn’t say my echoing thoughts out loud. If I did, then it’d raise his suspicion further.

“How’re you feeling? A part from that.” He hinted at the topic by placing his hand against my belly. "Are you feeling any different?”

“No,” I grumbled, avoiding eye contact. “Am I supposed to feel it kick or something?”

“Not yet.” He smiled affectionately while stroking my hair. “That’ll happen in a couple of months.”

*Did you do your research or something?* Then again, I didn’t know whether this was common knowledge.

I felt that familiar tingle up my back like a cat’s fur bristling on her spine when he began to kiss my forehead and cheek again, leaving a trail of kisses as he continued to pet me. His once-alluring scent no longer enticed me. It now repelled me, urging me to escape.

“I love you so much.” He whispered. "I will never let anything ruin what we have. Nobody will. Not even Grace.”

Saying that he wouldn’t let Grace interfere in our relationship both took me by surprise and filled me with dread. He was so obsessed with me that he was willing to turn on his own twin.

*Crazy fucker…*

My silence made the adoration fade from his eyes. “I know you’re still having a hard time taking all of this in, but I also know that you’re still in love with me. Will you at least say the words, just this once?”

I still gave no response, and his grip tightened around my arm.

“Say the words, Sukia. Tell me how you feel.”

My restraint for my own good snapped like a twig under the pressure of the fire inside of me. I shot him a cruel glare. “I don’t love you.”

Julian recoiled from my words but, instead of feeling guilty regret like I always did before, I was struck with alarm when I saw one of his hands ball up into a trembling fist.

*He wouldn’t… would he??* It’s not like there’s anything I could do if he did get physical with me. My hands were still in awful shape and I couldn’t run.

The brilliant actor gave me a smile that looked purely genuine, but I knew it was forced. “I can see you’re not feeling good today. It’s alright, Beautiful. I’ll get you something to help your leg feel better.” He leaned in and gave my cheek one last kiss. I felt nausea building up in my gut. “I’ll be back soon.” His tone is gentle as always. As if nothing had changed.

Once he left the bedroom, my stiff body sagged, and a heavy sigh escaped me. “Holy shit…” I tried to shake the tension out of my body so that I could focus on my next steps. It was comforting knowing that I didn’t have to worry about Grace anymore, but it made me even more cautious of Julian. He had always been unpredictable to me, but this was on a completely different level. I did know one thing; he was willing to do heinous acts, believing that they were for good intentions. For us. He’d even go as far as murder.

*When Mom and Gabriel get back, Julian’s ass is going straight to prison. As for Grace… fuck her too. She’ll be joining his cell. To think I actually kissed her! …Then again, that could be my blackmail against her to keep Julian on my side.*

I looked outside the water-dappled window. The pitter-patter of rain had slowed down enough that I could barely hear it unless I focused on it.

*Should I take action now? The flood might’ve risen back up. And I don’t know when Julian’s psycho ass will be back. Sitting around isn’t gonna get me anywhere either.*

Wishing for a miracle was never my style. I always believed that you just need to man up and do it yourself. Never rely on anybody. Hold your own hand and you’ll be fine. But I never imagined something like this would happen to me. To be physically incapable of defending myself, let alone walking, and to be at the mercy of others. I had never felt so pathetic in my entire life.

*I hope Liam comes back…*

I shook the negative thoughts from my mind and listened for Julian’s car to start up. Silence. The fact that Julian hadn’t gone anywhere yet made me think that maybe the road was too flooded to drive through again.

I dragged myself toward the door, laying on one leg since walking had become unbearable. I tried to move my wrists to keep the pressure off of my swollen hands. Julian made my chain shorter, so my limit was a few feet away from it, but I made do. Despite the blasting rap music back in the west-side, my hearing was still surprisingly good.

The first thing I hear is Julian’s voice in the distance. At first, I thought he was talking to Grace, but his tone sounded different. It sounded lighter and welcoming. Friendly. I tried to crawl closer to the door and strained my hearing further. The leather from the dog collar was starting to rub my neck raw again and cut off my airway, but I had no choice.

“...No, everything is fine.” I finally was able to make out small sentences. “...She’s overwhelmed… Needs space… Pregnant… Isabella is taking care of her…”

My blood turned cold. *No…! Fuck! Who else is he telling I’m pregnant?!* If Julian is saying that my mom is taking care of me, then that must be a hint that Gabriel knows too. So the only others that don’t know are my friends. *Amy…* Her frantic ass is the only one I know that would call a dozen times when she gets anxious enough. The boys at least trusted me to handle my own shit.

“...No, that won’t be necessary… I assure you, she’s in good hands… The road is flooded… No, sorry… You’ll only upset her…”

Julian may have kept his composure, but I knew him well enough to tell he was losing his patience. Amy must be desperate to see me. No surprise, she knows the truth of how I truly feel about Julian.

“...What?” Julian’s tone changed drastically into something colder.

I began to sweat from the suspense. *Amy must’ve spilled the beans… shit.*

“...She didn’t mean that. We were just having a bad day…”

*Yup. She’s spilled the expired beans. Fuck.*

“...Sukia loves me…”

*Fuck. Fuck!* I could feel the tension from several rooms away.

“...I told you that’s not necessary…”

*You fucked up. She’s coming now.*

“...Alright. If you insist…”

I should’ve felt relief that my knight in shining armor was coming, but I only felt my dread growing. Julian will hurt Amy without hesitation. He doesn’t give a shit knowing that she’s my best friend. All he cares about is keeping people from interfering in our relationship. Confessing that he wouldn’t even let his twin get in the way was proof of how far he’d go.

Will he keep it a secret from me? Will he jump her before she gets close to the mansion? I looked at the sharp shard hidden beneath Julian’s bed. It looks like my time to break out of here is approaching fast.

When I heard footsteps approaching this direction, I quickly dragged myself back over to his bed and leaned against it. I expected Julian to look furious when he walked into the bedroom, but I had forgotten the brilliant actor he was. Or maybe he isn’t acting… I couldn’t tell. All I did know was that the big smile on his face and the glee in his eyes gave me goosebumps.

“You’ll be having a visitor soon, Beautiful.” He enthusiastically says while taking a key from his dresser on the other side of the room and unlocking my chains from his bed. He got on one knee, placed a hand beneath my chin, and murmured with gentle malice. “So be a good girl, ok?”