**Three Months Later**
Juliette, accompanied by Christian, walked down the hallway of the psychiatric hospital where Robbin was staying. Her hazel eyes never left the rows of rooms with glass windows in the doors. She observed the individuals with special needs being cared for by their nurses, struggling to heal so they could rejoin society. A small smile formed on her lips, and one hand rested on her growing belly, showing signs of her pregnancy.
At first, Juliette didn’t want to believe she was pregnant with Robbin’s child, but she couldn’t blame the baby she was now carrying. Slowly, Juliette began to accept her fate of becoming the mother of the De Lavigne family’s heir.
When William heard of Juliette’s pregnancy, he was delighted, as he would finally be able to relinquish his role as the family head once the child was born and grown up. Although some members of the De Lavigne family refused to accept Robbin’s child, Anthony’s and Robbin’s blood flowed in the baby’s veins, so it was decided that the baby would replace William when they turned 25.
Though Juliette believed William played a significant role in restoring the family’s reputation after his nephew had destroyed it, she couldn’t say much. That’s why Juliette postponed her departure to Paris until after her baby was born. Once her child turned five, she planned to return to New York so they could grow up within the De Lavigne family and learn to become its successor.
“How’s my nephew?” Christian asked, glancing at Juliette’s belly.
Juliette’s smile widened as she replied, “He’s healthy and active.”
A soft laugh escaped her lips as she added, “I’ve even made my mother overwhelmed trying to calm him down when he starts moving around inside me.”
Christian gently patted Juliette’s back. “You’re a strong woman, Julie. If other women were in your position, I doubt they’d be able to smile like you do now.”
“I’m no different from them, Chris, but I can’t let my baby be sad. I can’t dwell on the past forever because I’m no longer alone. My baby needs me, especially after they’re born.”
Christian nodded in agreement. “I’m sure if things were different, Robbin would be happy to hear about your pregnancy. I know my cousin very well. Even with everything, what Robbin wanted was his own family.”
“I know. I saw the joy on Robbin’s face when I lied about being pregnant.”
“Well done, miss, I nearly got tortured because of that.”
Juliette winced slightly and murmured, “Sorry, but what else could I do? I had to think fast to stop him from doing something terrible to me. Besides, I was sure Uncle William would help you.”
Christian smiled. “Don’t worry, Julie, I don’t blame you. I almost got tortured by Robbin because I chose to do something behind his back, betraying the trust of my infuriating cousin.” They stopped in front of a large hall guarded by police officers. Christian showed his ID, and Juliette displayed her visitor’s pass before they were allowed to enter.
Juliette and Christian continued down the hallway until they reached a room with four doors on each side. Two of the doors had advanced security systems that just no one could open. “The two rooms, aside from the patient’s room, are observation rooms. You can see Robbin from there. It’s too risky for you to go into his room.”
Juliette nodded briefly. Initially, she wanted to stand before Robbin, hoping her presence would improve his condition. She even went against William’s orders after hearing from Daisy that Robbin’s condition was worsening. That’s what made her decide to visit. Still, like William, Christian also refused her request due to security concerns and her pregnancy, as they didn’t want Robbin to lash out and attack Juliette in her vulnerable state suddenly.
Christian opened the door to the observation room and gestured for Juliette to enter. The first thing they saw through the one-way glass was Robbin, dressed in patient clothes, sound asleep in bed. The second thing was the scribbles on the walls he had made, forming a single name:
–Juliette–.
The entire white wall of the room was covered in her name, and it sent chills down Juliette’s spine. Just that alone was enough to prove how severe Robbin’s obsession with her was.
Noticing Juliette’s silence, Christian commented, “The psychiatrist gave him crayons, which is why he’s been able to scribble on the walls-it’s the only thing that helps calm him down a little. The psychiatrist thought drawing would have a positive effect on him. Well… they were right.”
Christian pointed to the writing of her name that filled the walls.
“At least now we know how much you meant to him. Robbin’s obsession is just a side effect of the feelings he had for you. It started from his belief that he could never have you because you were his stepsister. You meant so much to him that, even in his current state, he still remembers you.”
Juliette nodded in agreement. One hand rested against the one-way glass while the other gently caressed her belly. A tear trickled down her cheek.
“I’ll leave you here alone. When you’re ready, knock on the door, and I’ll come back.” After saying that, Christian left, leaving Juliette alone in the observation room.
Silence enveloped Juliette, interrupted only by the occasional sound of her sobs. She felt heartbroken seeing Robbin in such a state. The man who once embraced her with warmth now looked so thin and pale, with dark circles under his eyes. Slowly, guilt took hold of her, knowing that she indirectly caused Robbin’s condition. But Juliette couldn’t turn back time. Back then, she had to choose between her freedom and living in Robbin’s suffocating obsession.
At least Juliette wouldn’t deny her child the right to know their father’s identity and existence.
“Robby,” Juliette whispered. As if hearing her call, Robbin opened his eyes and sat up. His head turned, scanning the room, before he got out of bed and walked to the corner of the room. One hand touched the wall, gently brushing over Juliette’s name etched there, his gaze filled with sorrow.
Seeing this, Juliette’s sobs grew louder, and she said, “Robby, I want to tell you something. I… I… I’m pregnant with your child. This time, I’m not lying. The baby is three months old now. I’m sure you’d be happy to hear this.” Juliette paused and took a deep breath, then this time spoke to the baby in her womb.
“Look, my child, over there… the man huddled in the corner is your father. I hope one day you can see him and accept him as he is.”
Juliette swallowed hard and spoke to Robbin again, “Robby, if only you knew I was still alive…”
And with that, Juliette sobbed uncontrollably as she looked at the man who had once been her source of strength, the man who always offered his shoulder for her to lean on, the man who had always supported her-a brother whom Juliette had loved dearly.
All those beautiful memories-if only Robbin had remembered them-might have made him realize, before falling into the abyss of darkness, that love doesn’t always mean possession. If love blinds both the eyes and the conscience, it’s better to let it go before it’s too late.
Juliette knew Robbin’s love for her was pure, but it had been tainted by blood and tears, turning that love into something terrifying. She wished their story had been different. Juliette couldn’t deny how things might have been if they had been together under other circumstances. After all, there was a time when Juliette felt the same way about him, even if she realized it too late.
If only their parents hadn’t fallen in love and gotten married, maybe she and Robbin would have lived happily. But that was just a fantasy and a dream because reality was far from what she had imagined.
At least now, no one else would get hurt. There would be no more tears or bloodshed. It was better this way if, in the end, everyone could live happily.
Daisy.
William and Adalyn.
Her mother.
Juliette herself.
And her baby.
“Goodbye, Robbin.”
**THE END**
…