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"I agree," she says with a smile. "God, it's been so long. I didn't think you two would get back together."

"Being engaged to her friend, I suppose you'd prefer her to be with Damien," I say with a bitter smile.

"What? You know?" she asks, but I don't respond to the obvious. "Hey, believe it or not, I really only care that Juliette is with someone who truly loves her, no matter who it is. Besides, you're the man she loves. So if you're going to be back together, I'll only ask that you don't hurt her again."

"You don't have to ask. Shoot me if that happens," I reply, and she just laughs at my response.

As I get closer to that asshole's house, I grip the steering wheel even tighter. It's impossible not to feel anger when it comes to that guy.

Shortly after, I park in front of his house, and the first thing I notice is that none of his cars are in the driveway.

That could mean he's not here, but I can't allow myself to be left in doubt. Without waiting another second, I step out of the car, followed by Isabella.

As we reach the main entrance, I ring the doorbell, anxiously waiting for someone to answer, but that doesn't happen.

"It looks like there's no one here," the woman accompanying me says.

We wait there for what feels like minutes, and no one appears despite me repeatedly and insistently ringing the doorbell.

"Damn it!" I exclaim, giving the door a frustrated slam with my hand.

"Gérard, Juliette might not be here. We should look somewhere else."

"Where the hell could she be?"

"With her mom? We could call her."

"You do it, that woman hates me," I retort, walking back toward the car.

However, before getting into the car to leave, something makes me turn my gaze towards the house's garden, visible from the outside.

I must be wrong. It can't be possible that what my mind is concocting could actually happen.

But this time I decided to ignore my mind and go with what I feel. This house gives me an eerie sensation, and I can't be left wondering.

Before I realize it, I find myself walking briskly toward that spot, scaling the tall fence that connects to the garden.

"Gérard, what are you doing?" I hear Isabella's shout, but I ignore it and end up leaping to the other side, entering the backyard of the house.

I walk among the large bushes, looking around, and the closer I get, the harder my heart pounds.

When I reach the back door, I try to open it but unfortunately it's locked and there seems to be no way for me to get in.

Damn.

I gaze up at the second floor of the house, and soon my eyes fixate on one of the windows, the only one that's open.

But how the hell am I going to get up there? The tree.

Upon noticing the large tree right in front of me, I know I don't have another option. I gather momentum to climb the thick trunk, holding on tightly as I ascend.

I'm not even close to reaching the window from here. Nevertheless, I carefully climb up one of the branches, making sure not to slip at this height.

I'm almost at the window, but when I'm finally close, things get complicated due to the distance. It's not like I can just easily get in.

I'll have to jump.

Without taking too much time to think, I take a leap that I think will fail, but luckily, I manage to grab onto the window frame. I use all the strength in my arms and press my feet against the outer wall to help myself climb.

Finally making it, I fall into the room with a thud.

The impact on my back is painful, but I quickly get to my feet, looking around. This is an empty bedroom, so I step out and reach the hallway on the upper floor.

Being here, there's no sign of anyone in the house. Everything is in absolute silence. However, I didn't come all this way for nothing, which is why I decide to enter every room to make sure there's no one.

I go into the first three rooms along the hallway, and just like before, there's no one. I open door after door, checking everything without pausing.

After a while it truly seems futile, until I reach the end of the hallway.

When I try to open the door to the last room, it doesn't budge. The bolt seems to be in place, and soon, my alarms go off.

"D... Damien," I hear a faint voice from inside, and it feels like my heart is about to burst out of my chest.

There's no place where I wouldn't recognize that voice.

"Juliette," I call out, but I don't hear her voice again. "Juliette!"

I try to desperately open the door, shouting for her this time.

My pulse is racing, and the damn bolt won't give way.

"Damn it!" I shout. "Juliette, please tell me you're okay. Talk to me! Juliette!"

I'm shouting like a madman, pressing my ear against the door and trying to hear the slightest sound.

I know it's her, she's in there and she can't get out.

"Juliette, I'm going to try to open the door. Please move away if you're close," I tell her. "Do something to let me know you heard me."

Upon making that request, I immediately hear three knocks from inside, and that's a signal for me. I deliver powerful kicks to the wood, attempting to separate it from its hinges.

I feel more desperate with each blow I deliver, and the damn door won't give way.

It's the anger I feel towards that son of a bitch and the desire to get her out of there that drives me to make a superhuman effort. After what feels like hours, I finally manage to break down that damn door and rush in search of her.