Two days later, Daisy was finally found. The woman’s body was discovered in an abandoned house located not far from where Daisy’s car and belongings were found. They were all shocked that Daisy was so close, as initially, the police and search teams had already scoured that location. There were no signs of Daisy’s presence or any suspicious activity whatsoever.
Everyone concluded that whoever had kidnapped Daisy wanted them to find her at that spot, not where the kidnapper had taken her.
When found, Daisy was in a horrific state, even worse than what Juliette remembered before. While Juliette had only seen cuts resembling knife scratches previously, now she could see whip marks that seemed to be made from a sharp object, as the whip wounds were so deep. Daisy’s face was also bruised, and Juliette shuddered at the sight of the letter ‘D’ carved into Daisy’s abdomen and both thighs.
Daisy was declared unconscious, and it was unknown when she would regain consciousness. She had a critical phase, but fortunately, the medical team managed to save her. Daisy lost a lot of blood, requiring her to undergo a lengthy blood transfusion. Juliette felt weak when hearing the explanation of Daisy’s condition from one of the doctors’ representatives. Accompanied by Leo, along with other De Lavigne family members, they gathered in a waiting room of a private hospital in New York.
Her eyes were tightly shut, tears streaming down her cheeks, soaking Leo’s simple shirt. “Why? How could it come to this?”
“What’s wrong, dear? Why do you say that?” Juliette shook her head and hugged Leo tighter, burying her face in his warm, broad chest. “Have you told Hannah and Tamara about this? They called me because they were very worried about you. You returned to the apartment shortly before going back out. Did something happen?”
Juliette began to cry harder. She didn’t know how to explain everything that had happened to Leo. Juliette feared the man might target Leo, likely because Leo was her boyfriend. Still, if Leo was unaware, that man might release Leo from his radar. “I… I don’t have anything…” she replied hoarsely.
“Julie.” Juliette lifted her head when she heard Robbin call her name. She released herself from Leo and wiped the tears flowing down her cheeks. Robbin stood in front of them somberly, but he seemed to stare at Leo for quite a while before shifting his gaze to Juliette. “I want to talk to you.”
Juliette nodded and stood up. Robbin turned around and walked away, leaving Juliette behind. After making sure Leo was okay to be left, Juliette ran to catch up with Robbin, who had already gone ahead. They entered a quiet room, which seemed to be a children’s playroom, when Juliette noticed a small plastic slide at the end of the room. “What’s up, Robby?”
“I haven’t given you your gift.”
“Gift?”
“Yes. Your birthday. You recently had a birthday, right?”
“Yes.”
Robbin smiled and took out his phone. He seemed to fiddle with it momentarily before showing Juliette the screen. “Look, this is the gift I’m giving you.”
Juliette blinked before reaching for Robbin’s phone. She briefly saw a ring worn by Robbin that looked very familiar. “Since when are you wearing that ring?” Juliette asked casually, her eyes curiously looking at Robbin.
Robbin smiled wryly and rubbed the ring he was wearing. His dark brown eyes turned towards the wall behind Juliette, gazing into the distance as he said, “For a long time. I just don’t wear it often. This is my lucky ring. A gift from my late grandfather Gabriel.”
“Why do you rarely wear it?”
Robbin shifted his gaze directly into Juliette’s eyes. “Because Julie, at that time I hadn’t yet taken on the role of head of the family. I could only wear this ring during formal occasions. Now, since I’ve replaced my late father’s position, I can wear this ring every day, but for some reason, I am reluctant to wear it. However, since today is my inauguration as the new managing director by the executive board, I have to wear it.”
“I didn’t know that becoming a director requires an inauguration.”
“Because I will also become the Chairman. Remember? My father’s position carries a huge responsibility.”
Juliette nodded in agreement and looked down, seeing the photo Robbin wanted to show her. She blinked rapidly upon seeing a kitten with white fur and blue eyes photographed in a soft white basket. Juliette’s heart melted instantly upon seeing the cute little creature. “You…”
“I’m giving you a kitten. I know you are a cat lover. So I found a cat suitable for you at the pet shop while in Canada. It has arrived with me in New York, but I haven’t had the chance to give it to you because of the issues that have arisen.”
“Where is the kitten now?”
“It’s in your room.”
For the first time after the presence of her psychopathic stalker-Master D, Juliette could smile widely and sincerely. She squealed with joy and hugged Robbin tightly. Happiness bubbled up inside her. She had long wanted to adopt a cat from an animal shelter. Still, Juliette was afraid that the psychopathic man would target her cat. However, Juliette could breathe a little easier now because she was temporarily staying at the mansion until the situation became safe again or for Juliette until the psychopath was found and imprisoned.
“Thank you, Robby!”
“Take good care of that Kitten. I went to great lengths to find it for you.”
“Of course, I will take care of it.”
“So what do you want to name it?”
Juliette stared intently at the photo of the cat displayed on Robbin’s phone. She couldn’t think of a suitable name, but after thinking for a while, Juliette finally murmured, “Pure. I want to name her Pure. Just like her name, I want my cat to have pure love for me.”
“Good idea, Julie.”
.
.
“Congratulations on your new kitten, ‘Kitten’. I’m sure you can learn a lot from it. To obey all of its Master’s commands. Am I right?”
Juliette was sitting in the hospital cafeteria when she received that message. She shivered after reading the content of the message sent by Master D. The message was also accompanied by two photos: one of Pure and the other of herself with Robbin embracing.
A panic attack began to hit her. How could that man know her every move? And Juliette was utterly unaware of it. She glanced to her right and left, ensuring no suspicious person was around her, when she realized there was nothing suspicious, just families whose members were being treated in this hospital.
Juliette felt extremely scared. She didn’t know who to trust or how to tell anyone everything she had experienced without that man knowing. Frustrated, she ran her fingers through her long hair before burying her face in her palms. Juliette desperately wanted her life to return to normal and free without any ties binding her. Juliette didn’t notice someone near her because she was too preoccupied with her thoughts. She was startled when the chair in front of her was pulled out, and a man with brown hair and green eyes sat down across from her with a warm smile. “Hi, is one of your family members being treated here?”
The man laughed and answered, “Oh, of course. What else would a beautiful woman like you be doing in such a sad place?” The man extended his hand, introducing himself.
“Christian.”
“Juliette,” Juliette mumbled hesitantly.
Christian laughed and rubbed the back of his head shyly. “Sorry for startling you; I just couldn’t help but see you sitting here looking upset.”
Juliette smiled awkwardly but didn’t say anything.
It seemed Christian realized Juliette was not interested in starting a conversation, so he fell silent and sipped from the can of milk he had brought. “Sorry if I’m bothering you; I just need someone to talk to.”
“No. It’s fine. I’m just-”
“Julie!”
Juliette quickly turned her body when she heard her name being called. Her eyes welled up when she saw her two friends, Hannah and Tamara, come in with reassuring smiles. They hugged, making Juliette’s heart feel slightly more at ease. “Now that we’re here, you don’t need to worry.”
Juliette nodded, touched, and invited her friends to sit down, making Christian, who had been sitting quietly, now look awkward. “Julie? Who is this? Did you decide to leave Leo? Good, Julie! I don’t like that guy! He’s so mysterious and has something strange about him. My instincts tell me that Leo is not a good man,” Tamara said casually, without a hint of remorse.
“Tamara, we’ve talked about this.” Hannah said softly. “Hi, I’m Hannah, and the woman next to me is Tamara.”
“Oh… hi… I’m Christian.”
Juliette sighed heavily and tiredly, “I just met Christian a few minutes ago. Don’t think too much of it. I’m sorry, Christian. My friends do tend to speak without thinking.”
Christian nodded and slowly stood, awkwardly mumbling, “I should probably go. Nice to meet you all.” With a mysterious smile, the man glanced at Juliette and said, “We will meet again.”
Juliette paled upon hearing Christian’s words. “Again,” the man added before turning and walking out of the cafeteria.
“What a strange guy,” murmured Hannah.
“Yeah, you’re right, Hannah. He’s a really strange man.”
Juliette couldn’t focus on what her friends were discussing because the only thing in her mind were the three words that Christian had just said.
“We will meet again.”
Was it just a coincidence?
….