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?”

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

be. So when Ivan cried uncontrollably, all Julie could do

want to?”

dad? Will you be my stepmom?”

showed he was upset. He looked like he was about to

again. So, she said without thinking, “Yes, Ivan, stop crying. It breaks my

and said to Kieran on the other end, “Dad, did you hear that? Mama Julie agreed to marry you. You’re going to have a wife

mortified. She tried to snatch the phone from Ivan while shouting to Kieran on the other end, “Mr. Kennedy, it’s not what you

the phone, his eyes welling up with tears.

couldn’t bear to hurt

to Kieran. It seemed like

of silence, Kieran, on the other end of the phone, still hadn’t said anything. In

satisfied. He snuggled into Julie’s arms, a smile of contentment on his face, and fell asleep. Only then did Julie take out her phone and texted Kieran, “Mr. Kennedy, there was a

the whole story and sent it to

phone. Julie had explained everything clearly,

paused on the

was a

why are you at my

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

she knew was that she

Kennedy was suddenly popping the question if she spilled the beans about having no place to live, no one would buy that, 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

waiting for Julie’s response, Kieran had already guessed she must be mulling it over. So he casually asked her, “Is Ivan

1

“No, Ivan’s

ides

me a favor and

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