Chapter 3
One by one, the firewalls were disabled.
Finally, I hit Enter.
A dialog box popped up on the screen.
[Warning: Are you sure you want to permanently shut down the Guardian system?]
I clicked YES.
The screen went black instantly.
From that moment on, Tristan's safety would no longer be my concern.
After finishing everything, I pulled my suitcase behind me and walked out of the villa I'd called home for eight years, never once looking back.
I hadn't noticed when, but rain had started falling outside.
Cold raindrops splashed against my face.
I hailed a taxi and made my way to the airport.
I bought a ticket for the next available flight to some small island in the South Pacific.
Where the sun always shines and it's spring all year round.
A perfect place to disappear for a while.
As the plane took off, I watched the city fade away beneath me, feeling nothing inside.
Eight years of my life, just thrown away.
Maybe that was for the best.
At least I was still alive.
And I had 3 million dollars.
Guess I can take it easy for the rest of my life now.
Just as I was about to turn off my phone, a call came in.
An unknown number popped up on the screen.
I hesitated for a moment, but answered it anyway.
On the other end, a voice came through, distorted by a voice changer, impossible to tell if it was male or female.
"Hello, Ms. Martin," the voice said.
It was Collector.
I frowned. "What do you want?"
"Nothing important," the voice let out a soft laugh. "Just wanted to double-check something with you.
"Did you really pull all of Tristan's security detail?"
"Everything's settled between us. I have no reason to lie to you," I said coldly.
"Good," Collector replied, sounding quite pleased.
"But just to be safe, I need you to do me one more little favor."
"I'm not interested," I said.
"Don't be so quick to say no.
"This time, the reward is 3 million dollars."
I fell silent.
"Speak," I said.
"It's simple.
"I want you to hand over control of the backup security system in Tristan's villa basement to me."
My eyes widened in shock.
How does he know about the backup system?
I'd installed that system in secret, not even Tristan knew about it.
It was my last line of defense.
If the main system ever got taken down, the backup would kick in automatically and alert me right away.
"Seems you've investigated thoroughly," I said, my voice cold.
"Of course.
"When it comes to acquiring my prized collection, patience is my specialty.
"Ms. Martin, you're clever. You know which choice to make.
"3 million dollars for the safety of a man you've already abandoned.
"Hard to say no to a deal like that, isn't it?"
A faint crackle of static came through the line.
I could picture Collector sitting in some dimly lit room, smiling as they waited for my answer.
My fingers tightened around my phone, my knuckles turning white.
3 million dollars.
Plus the 1.5 million dollars from before, and the 1.5 million dollars Tristan gave me.
That'd be a total of 6 million dollars, enough to never worry about money again for the rest of my life.
I closed my eyes, and that look of disgust on Tristan's face crossed my mind.
He said, "Get lost. Don't ever show your face to me again."'
He said, "You make me sick."'
He said, "You're nothing but a bitch."'
Fine.
Tristan Wood.
You brought this on yourself.
I opened my eyes again, all emotion wiped clean from my gaze.
"Deal," I said.
"Send me your account details," Collector said.
After hanging up, I handed over full control of the backup system to Collector.
They wired the 3 million dollars to me almost immediately.
My account balance now showed a long string of numbers.
I stared at those numbers, but felt nothing.
*****
When my plane touched down on the island, it was just after dawn.
The sun was blazing, and the air felt crisp and clean.
I found the nicest hotel around and booked a room with a view of the ocean.
Slipping into a swimsuit, I stretched out on the sand, sipping chilled coconut juice.
I tried to let myself unwind.
But I just couldn't relax.
Eight years of living this way had etched itself deep into my bones.
I was always scanning my surroundings, sizing up any potential threats.
If anyone got close, I'd instinctively tense up, ready to lash out at a moment's notice.
I guessed I didn't even remember what it was like to live like a normal person anymore.
That night, I had a dream.
In my dream, I was back in that villa.
Tristan was lying on the floor, covered in blood.
Daisy was wearing a white dress, holding a blood-stained scalpel, smiling as she walked toward him.
"Tristan, don't be afraid," she said softly.
"It'll be over soon.
"I'm going to make you into the most perfect piece of art, so you'll always be with me."
Tristan's eyes widened in terror as he reached out to me.
"Juliet, save me..." he pleaded. "Save me..."
I jolted awake from the nightmare, heart pounding.
Sweat soaked my skin, cold and clammy.
Outside, the sea was pitch black, waves crashing against the shore in the darkness.
The room was eerily quiet.
I grabbed my phone and checked the time.
It was already 11 PM.