Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 23

Julie swiftly tossed the ring on the trash bin lid, hailed a taxi, and hopped right in.

Elliot watched the taxi drive away. He picked up the ring, gently rubbing it with his slender fingers, then chuckled helplessly.

Though she changed her name and despite her failed marriage, her coldness and stubbornness have never changed.

Just like when she was head over heels for Kieran, she ignored everyone around her. Even when she met him for the first time a few days ago, she had no

clue who he was.

Suddenly, Elliot’s phone rang in his pocket. He glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was his dad. Elliot’s sudden proposal to Julie at the party tonight. had thrown off his dad’s plans, so there was no chance of his dad getting any peace tonight.

Elliot squeezed the ring in his hand and turned to leave.

Julie took a cab to the hospital, where Daphne was lying in a hospital bed. As soon as Daphne saw her, she asked eagerly. “Julie, how did it go? Did you make the headlines for tomorrow?”

Julie felt guilty looking at Daphne’s hopeful face.

Daphne and muttered, “The

something was off about Julie’s expression.

mention the headlines again; instead, she held Julie’s hand and asked

that

eyes lit up. She looked at Julie and asked, “What

think? Julie

+

proposed to you in public! It’s clear he loves you. Can’t you

Julie’s answer was straightforward.

but what came out was, “You’re not still hung up on that jerk. Kieran, are you? Do you want to find another guy to obsess over? Julie, let me tell you, women need to find someone who loves them, not someone they love. Kieran is the perfect example. One minute he’s marrying Bertha, and the next there’s no wedding. And who was the jerk that saved another woman over you when

worried. But the way Daphne was digging into her wounds made her

gripping Daphne’s hand tightly, looking at her with heartfelt eyes, “I won’t go looking

loved with all her heart was buried in

back.

so she smiled at Daphne, “Alright, don’t worry! You’re getting old worrying about

a boyfriend!”