“I’m… pregnant.”
Robbin, shocked by Juliette’s confession, stood frozen, his hands hanging by his sides. The belt he was holding slowly slipped from his grasp, hitting the floor with a loud clatter. “What did you just say?”
“I’m pregnant, Robby.” As if doused with cold water, Robbin snapped out of his shock, and a joyful smile spread across his face. He quickly freed Juliette’s hands from the cuffs that bound her, then carefully repositioned her more comfortably. His dark eyes were fixated on Juliette’s still-flat stomach, filled with awe. He couldn’t believe his wish had come true.
His Kitten was carrying his child-his heir-the fruit of their love! What had once been a mere dream was now reality. Robbin felt like shouting with joy and announcing his happiness to the whole world.
“But, he’s not entirely sure yet, Robby. Dr. Joseph said that based on the early signs of pregnancy. I didn’t want to tell you because I was afraid it might just be false hope… that’s why Dr. Joseph recommended I go to the hospital for a full check-up with an obstetrician. So I planned to do it after our engagement party.”
Another stream of lies flowed from Juliette’s mouth as if she were an expert liar who constantly spun untruths. Even her voice sounded calm, almost hopeful. At the very least, she had to make sure Robbin didn’t contact Dr. Joseph to verify what she’d just said.
Robbin’s brow furrowed slightly as he listened to Juliette’s words. “Why after the engagement party? We could go to the obstetrician tomorrow morning.” He then pulled his phone from his blazer pocket and began fiddling with it for a moment. Juliette immediately panicked when Robbin brought the phone to his ear and said, “Hello, I-” Without thinking twice, Juliette jumped off the bed and snatched the phone from Robbin’s hand, successfully cutting him off and shocking him at the same time.
Juliette hurriedly ended the call and placed Robbin’s phone on the nightstand. “Why did you grab my phone?” Robbin narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“Are you hiding something? Is that why you don’t want to go to the obstetrician with me tomorrow?” Juliette’s once frantic expression quickly turned calm. She gave a forced laugh and shook her head.
“Then?” Robbin pressed on, unwilling to let it go until he got a satisfying answer from Juliette.
“Or… is it possible that the child isn’t mine, but that loser’s?” Juliette held herself back when Robbin referred to Leo as a ‘loser,’ but she chose not to comment. There were more important things at stake.
Even if she were genuinely pregnant, the child couldn’t be Leo’s, as their relationship hadn’t progressed that far. Leo had been a gentleman, respecting Juliette’s decision not to go that far before marriage. Perhaps Leo thought Juliette didn’t want to because she was an honorable woman guarding her virtue. But the truth was, Juliette was still traumatized by past events, and if it were true that Robbin had always kept Leo from touching her, the chance of any sexual relationship was zero. It had never happened and never would.
“No!” Juliette shouted the word. She took a deep breath and murmured, “You’re the only man who has ever touched me.” Damn it! Her cheeks felt hot, and she was sure Robbin would notice the flush of embarrassment spreading across her face.
“I… I just wanted it to be a surprise for you… for… your birthday,” Juliette whispered. At least she had a solid excuse to back up her claim.
Robbin was stunned, taking a deep breath, and then, with overwhelming joy, he lifted Juliette’s bridal style and carried her back to the bed, gently laying her down. After removing his shoes, he joined Juliette, pulling her into his arms. “Really?”
Juliette clutched Robbin’s turtleneck tightly, burying her face in his warm chest. She could hear his steady heartbeat and closed her eyes.
“I’d never forget your birthday.” As a younger sibling, it was her duty, she added silently. Luckily, Robbin’s birthday was close to the company’s anniversary celebration; otherwise, she wouldn’t have known what excuse to use to divert Robbin’s suspicions.
Robbin chuckled softly. Suddenly, he felt lighthearted, and all the suspicions that had clouded his mind disappeared. “Alright. I’ll grant your request,” Robbin said in a calm tone, his voice sounding slightly raspy. Juliette shivered as Robbin’s hand began to move, gently stroking her body before slowly trailing downward, making her realize she wasn’t wearing any clothes. “But on one condition, Kitten.”
“What’s that?”
“We need to celebrate this happiness, don’t we?”
“Yes?”
“Alright then…” Robbin shifted their position, placing Juliette on top of him, her legs straddling his body. “Entertain me, Kitten. I want to see you please yourself.”
“But… I…”
“Use my body however you want, to satisfy yourself, because I belong to you.”
“Robbin…”
“Do it!”
“Alright.” Juliette unzipped Robbin’s pants, lowering both his trousers and boxers.
“Oh, before that…” Juliette’s movements froze, and she swallowed hard at the sight before her. How could he get aroused so quickly? Juliette cursed inwardly. Robbin took her hand, gently holding it. “Tell me you’re mine.”
“I’m yours,” Juliette whispered.
“And… that you love me.”
Juliette’s eyes widened. “Robby…”
“Say it, Kitten. You don’t want to keep me waiting, do you?”
With a deep breath, Juliette steeled herself and said, “I love you.”… ‘Leo,’ she whispered silently in her heart.
.
.
.
Juliette patted her cheeks to snap herself out of the memories running through her mind. She couldn’t believe that Robbin had forced her to say those words, but there wasn’t much she could do. It was better to comply than to face Robbin’s punishment. Besides, with her lie, Hannah was freed from the psychopath’s torture and sent away. That was better than having her friend suffer by watching her be treated like a slave.
Juliette stood up and walked toward the glass table where her clutch was. Its contents were just lipstick and powder, but she needed to carry one more critical item without arousing Robbin’s suspicion.
A phone.
Robbin had no idea Juliette had a phone, as the one she currently possessed was a gift from Christian during their conversation in the lounge, along with another crucial item she planned to use later. Just as Juliette closed her clutch, there was a knock on the door, and it opened. Juliette didn’t question why the door wasn’t locked as it had been before-she already knew the answer.
The event was about to begin.
“Miss Juliette, the event is about to start, and Mr. Robbin is waiting for you at the door to the hall.”
Juliette nodded briefly to show that she understood. After making sure her appearance was still flawless, she walked out of the room and headed toward the hall where the party was being held.
Here it was-the actual event was about to start.
.
.
.
The loud applause marked the end of Robbin’s opening speech. Juliette sat at the main table with the De Lavigne family. She glanced around and noticed William and Adalyn engaged in a severe argument. At the same time, Daisy chose to focus on the cake she had asked a waiter to bring.
“And tonight, there is something important I want to share with all of you. I want to bring you some good news.” Juliette’s heart began to race, and the tension was evident in her posture. William and Daisy immediately turned their attention to her, their gazes filled with meaning that only Juliette could understand.
“Once upon a time, I met a woman. She was so beautiful and graceful, like an angel. To me, she was the perfect woman, and only she could complete my life.” Juliette held her breath as Robbin’s sharp, dark eyes settled on her from the stage.
Juliette hid her clenched hands under the table. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from Robbin, no matter how hard she tried-her eyes wouldn’t move elsewhere. “At first, I didn’t realize my feelings, but in the end, I knew-I love this woman deeply.” Juliette wanted to scream at the top of her lungs right then and there. The hall was dead silent, all eyes on Robbin and his words. The guests were all curious to know who had captured the heart of a man as extraordinary and perfect as Robbin De Lavigne. Juliette scoffed softly. If only they knew what lay behind the mask.
“Then, I proposed to her. I asked her to marry me, and she said yes.” Applause erupted once more.
“And so, this party, in addition to celebrating the company’s anniversary, is also to celebrate my engagement to the woman of my dreams.” Robbin extended his arm, gesturing for Juliette to join him. “Juliette, come here. Join me.”
With two deep breaths, Juliette rose from her chair. The spotlight immediately followed her, and all she could do was smile as she walked toward Robbin. Each of her steps was accompanied by the sound of applause that filled the banquet hall. When she reached the stage where Robbin was standing, Juliette wrapped her arms around his and kissed him on the cheek as a public display.
“From tonight onward, you are officially mine. I only need to wait until your name changes and you officially become my wife.” Then Juliette saw Aldrich approach and hand Robbin a black velvet box. Juliette cringed inwardly. What would her mother think when she saw the news of their engagement tomorrow?
Robbin positioned them face-to-face, then opened the box and took out a beautifully adorned diamond ring worth a fortune. He reached for Juliette’s hand and slid the ring onto her finger. Afterward, Juliette did the same. Once they turned back to face the guests, another round of applause greeted them.
After the ring exchange, Juliette and Robbin descended from the stage as the musicians began playing, entertaining the guests. On their way back to the table, they were constantly stopped by guests who offered congratulations, followed by light conversations. Finally, when they reached the table where the De Lavigne family was seated, Juliette felt a wave of relief.
Juliette had already anticipated William and Daisy’s reactions. Still, she couldn’t predict how the other members of the De Lavigne family and their relatives would respond. Glares of disdain were the first thing she received, but Juliette hadn’t expected that they would outright oppose the engagement. She figured that none of her family members would approve either. So, Robbin issued a threat that immediately silenced them and changed their minds, forcing them to accept the engagement between him and Juliette.
“If any of you continue to speak ill of my fiancee or persist in opposing our marriage, I can guarantee you won’t see the sunrise tomorrow morning, and I mean every word.”
After that, nothing significant happened. Robbin stayed close to Juliette’s side, whether during meals or while speaking to guests. The dance was about to start, signaling to Juliette that it was time to begin her plan. She tugged on Robbin’s jacket to get his attention, then whispered in his ear, “I’m going to the restroom for a moment. Wait for me.”
Robbin, who was discussing business topics with his colleagues, simply nodded and kissed Juliette’s forehead before releasing his hand from her waist. He watched her walk away until she disappeared into the crowd, then resumed his conversation with his colleagues.
The atmosphere in the hallway leading to the restroom was vastly different from the lively banquet hall. While the hall was bustling, the corridor was eerily quiet. Even the sound of her heels echoed loudly. Juliette finally reached the restroom and glanced around before stepping inside. The restroom was empty, so Juliette decided to wash her face while waiting. Sure enough, not long after she arrived, the door opened, and Juliette saw Daisy enter through the mirror’s reflection.
“Daisy,” Juliette greeted her with relief.
Daisy smiled, then reached for Juliette’s hand, gently holding it while discreetly slipping something into her palm before embracing her.
When they broke the hug, Daisy said in a raspy and stammering voice, “I believe in you… you can do it.”
“You can talk?” Juliette asked in disbelief.
Daisy nodded, then pulled out a tablet from her bag. ‘Just a little, and it takes extra effort, but I’m confident I’ll be able to speak properly again.’ Juliette smiled with joy as she read the words Daisy had typed on the tablet. ‘All of this will end, Julie.’
Juliette nodded in agreement. “Yes, this will all come to an end.”
…