y be counted on one hand, as most people still chose to stay at home even though the government had reopened public facilities and given the green light to resume normal activities. She s

ar continued t

her out of her trance. Juliette blinked, startled, as Leo waved his hand in front of her face, tryi

he had been holding. "Nothing. I'm just a bit tired, that's all." She sighed softly befor

said, his tone tinged with nostalgia. "We talk a lot on the phone. My f

spite her clouded thoughts. "Did you talk

lly since he works as one of the managers at your family's hotel. In fact, I r

questions, adrenaline rushing through her veins. She wanted to demand answers but stopped when she heard the soft chime of the door opening. A moment later, Leo stood up from his chair, greeting a

e eyes, which carried a mysterious sharpness. The contrast made him striking yet unsettling. His thick eyebrows and sharp nose formed an almost perfect profile. Julie

rlfriend, Juliette," Leo said. Juliette offered a pol

ove. "Well, Dion," Leo continued, "I was just telling Juliette that

Something about this man made her feel deeply u

it was about five years ago. The hotel is where I work, but I was transferred

to keep herself from spiraling into a panic attack as Dion explained his situation. Dion... D... Master D... Could

I got the job at your family's company. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't

easingly. "To me, she's more like a kit

Her face turned pale, and her body trembled, struggling to contain the terror rising within her. Dion's words felt like a veiled threat, and her he

mur, she excused herself to the restroom in a voice barely audible. Her steps

r and retched violently, emptying her stomach in a miserable display. She

and her body shook uncontrollably. After a few minutes, she took a deep breath and forced herself to stand up. She washed her face, now dr

her with concern. "Jullie? Are you alright?" Le

lied, "I'm fine. I think I ate something b

e you sure? You look like

eally, it's nothing." Dion gave a brief nod while Leo chose to rub her back

could feel an intense gaze piercing her. She snapped her head up and found Dion staring at her, his gaze sharp and fierce

. She felt a pain-not physical, but emotional. She wanted so badly to escape this place, far f

s genuinely

might have

esn't like roses. She hates them. The first time I gave her roses, she yelled at me and threw them away. But

ag. Though she tried to remain calm, she couldn't help but feel afraid every time her phone rang or vibrated, even though

Did you get a new phone, Jullie?" Leo asked when he noticed the different device in her hand. Jul

g and said you changed your number.

tte muttered quietly, her voice barely audible. "I need to take this, excuse

screen, her hand trembling as she did so. She took a deep breath, trying to cal

ice was full of worry. "Juliette!

mother's voice was panicked. "What

... he's

ded the call and hurried back to the table where Leo and Dion sat. "I need t

h concern. "What's go

e De Lavigne estate." She tried to sound calm, but it was clear that something much bigger was going o

urmoil. Her hands were still shaking as she tried to take a deep

ng might have happened to her mother. But her heart stopped when she saw a mes

in her eyes as she read th

or your punis

r past resurfaced before her eyes. All the fears she had buried deep inside came rushin

.