Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 73

Ivan was leading Julie to his room, not giving her any chance to refuse. This was the first time Julie realized how assertive this kid could be.

As the thunder outside roared, Ivan clung tightly to her in bed. Julie was usually terrified of storms but felt strangely comforted with the kid in her arms.

“Mama Julie, do you hate me?” Little Ivan asked, gripping her hand tightly with fear in his eyes

Julie was taken aback by the question. She looked down at the kid in her arms and shook her head firmly, “Of course not”

“Then you like me?” Ivan said, looking satisfied with her answer.

Julie ruffled his hair, feeling a strange attachment to the kid. It was a kind of fondness that she could not let go.

Out of the blue, Ivan said, “Then be my mom! My dad is super handsome, rich, kind, and charming. You’ll definitely like him”

Ivan almost blurted out his real name. His dad, Kerry, had warned him earlier that he mustn’t tell Julie his name. It’s a good thing he caught himself just in

time!

Julie looked at the earnest little boy in front of her. She had seen kids looking for stepmoms for their dads but never one who was this proactive about it Ivan was looking up at Julie, eager for her response. But from Julie’s expression, he knew she would disagree.

Suddenly, a clap of thunder sounded outside. Ivan pinched himself and started crying. His phone vibrated, and a ringtone echoed in the empty room: “And if that mockingbird doesn’t sing, Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring! The sound was heart–wrenching

Seeing Julie touched, Ivan cried even harder.

He picked up the phone and started complaining to the person on the other end, “Dad, my mom doesn’t want me, and you don’t either. Why doesn’t anyone want me? Is it because I’m not well–behaved, not smart enough? Dad, I’m so sad.”

For the first time, Julie was at a loss. She ignored the thunderstorm outside and just hugged the crying child, “Sweetie, stop crying. You’re so good and smart. How could I not like you?”

be my mom. My mom doesn’t want me, my dad doesn’t want me, dad won’t even stay with

before and thought they could be easily appeased. She never imagined how serious a child could be. So when Ivan cried uncontrollably, all Julie could do was

want to?”

my stepmom?” Ivan’s crying suddenly stopped, and

his mood had changed, Ivan’s pouty face showed he was upset. He looked like he

want to hear him cry again. So, she said without thinking,

joy. He picked up the phone and said to Kieran on the other end, “Dad, did you hear that? Mama Julie agreed to marry you. You’re going

from Ivan while shouting to Kieran on the other end, “Mr. Kennedy, it’s not what you think. I was

phone, his eyes welling up with tears. It looked like he was about

couldn’t bear to

to explain to Kieran. It seemed like if she said “no,” he would cry

other end of the phone, still hadn’t said anything. In the end, Julie was defeated by the kid’s pitiful

Only then did Julie take out her phone and texted Kieran, “Mr. Kennedy, there was a misunderstanding

the whole story

a black leather sofa at home, looking at the message on his phone. Julie had explained everything clearly, but Kieran didn’t reply. Finally, Julie couldn’t help but ask, ‘Mr. Kennedy, are you there?”

on the

a sigh of relief. There was

why are you at my house?”

change of topic caught Julie off guard. She couldn’t possibly tell him that she came because Ivan was afraid of thunder, could she? That would make her seem too forward. From the location and decoration of the villa, it was apparent

she knew was that she had nowhere to stay and Ivan needed company, so she

right? Maybe Mr. Kennedy would misconstrue her as trying to worm her way into Ivan’s life to get close to him. Didn’t all the rich folks have this kind of paranoia?

over. So he casually asked her, “Is Ivan bugging you again?”

1

time, “No,

ides

a favor and look after

phone lit up, and Julie didn’t expect Mr. Kennedy to respond like that, Her fingers flew over the keys, wanting to tell Mr. Kennedy that tonight was just a fluke. But before she could send her drafted message, Kieran sent another one, I’m out of the country working on a new project, probably for a couple of months. I’ve checked you out. If you don’t mind, could you