Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 134

That night, way past bedtime.

Julie and Kieran were strolling back home, with the streetlights illuminating their path Taking advice she got online, Julie pretended to twist her ankle, then grabbed Kieran’s sleeve, shooting him a pitiful look, “I think I sprained my foot”

Kieran looked Julie up and down, and instead of pushing her away immediately, he looked at her ankle and asked, “Break a bone?”

Julie was feeling down, “No… no bones broken, but twisted. Hurts a bit. Can we sit down for a while?”

While Kieran was mulling over her request, Julie was already limping towards a bench with Kieran in tow. She clung to his sleeve as she sat down, then looked at her ankle, pretending to be in pain, muttered, “What if I can’t walk later? Can you carry me?”

Julie saw Kieran pull out his phone and dial the emergency number.

She quickly snatched his phone away, laughing. “I’m not that bad off. No need for an ambulance. Can’t waste public resources, right? I’m touched that you care so much.”

Kieran extended his hand, “My phone.”

Julie stuffed his phone into her coat pocket, then covered the pocket, looked up at Kieran and asked, “What are your thoughts on dating?”

Kieran just looked at her without a reply. The dim light made his facial features more prominent. Julie’s heart was pounding.

“Do you mind dating while in school?” Julie persisted.

no

Despite Julie’s daily efforts to get closer to Kieran, intimate moments were rare. Most of the time, she could only daydream while watching his back. Therefore, under the dim light, when Kieran looked at her, Julie couldn’t meet his gaze and quickly averted her eyes

After a while, Kieran still hadnt answered. Julie cautiously spoke again, “So… do you think you’ll date in school?”

“No, especially not with you,” Kieran responded firmly.

Julie should have focused on the latter half of Kieran’s answer, but she only registered the first half.

So she excitedly asked Kieran, “So you’ve never dated before?”

Kieran was speechless.

Is your first kiss still intact? Julie’s gaze landed on Kieran’s closed lips and she couldn’t help swallowing.

Just as Kieran was turning his head away, he turned back to look at Julie

cupped Kieran’s face, leaned in like a dragonfly skimming the water, gently pressed her lips to the corner of his

red ink.

faster than a rabbit. Falling plane tree leaves landed on her shoulder. She wore a flowing white school uniform, the skirt flapping in the evening breeze,

way home, her face as red as a boiled shrimp.

messy hair behind her ears, “Why are you back so late? Your face

mumbled, “I’m

sat next to Julie

have a fever… touch me, don’t I feel like I’m burning up? Can you call in sick for me tomorrow? Just tell therm I have a

want to skip class, just say so. No need to fabricate a high fever.”

helped Julie take a day off and didn’t

that he would confront her. In class, Kieran always sat in the front row while Julie sat

rang. A few minutes before dismissal, she would leave early Although she

by the teacher was still better than getting yelled at by Kieran.

Abraham family hadn’t declined yet, so Julie was always surrounded by fake friends. Many people were curious why she was avoiding Kieran, and told her that many people had confessed to

confront Julie. Even though Julie had been avoiding

express her feelings. But, when she plucked up the courage, bought two ice creams, and was ready to make peace with Kieran, she saw Annalise sitting on the back of Kieran’s bike at the door. They disappeared from her view like a

As the ice cream melted, the cold melted ice cream slid down her fingertips. Even though it was

a warm place, closer

warmth. She comfortably leaned into the warmth, and then slowly, peacefully fell asleep.

at the woman lying in his arms, his heart ached as he gently wiped away the tears that slipped from the corner of her eyes.

next day, when Julie woke up, she found herself

last night, but she didn’t expect to sleep so heavily that she didn’t even know she had

up groggily. Her mind was in a fog for a few seconds

Karl popped out of nowhere, giving her a polite nad,

was too preoccupied to correct Karl’s address. She asked him straight to the

is working. What would you like for breakfast?” Karl

can you make?” Julie asked.

then said, “Most things. What

him, cook him and bring him

That’s not possible.”

back to Whispering

Karl nodded.

when he’s done working! I don’t mind what I have for breakfast” Finished speaking, Julie looked around the cabin. She couldn’t find her bag and phone, so

Julie went back

of this version of Julie. He quickly relayed Julie’s words to Kieran, “Mrs. Hernandez

glanced at Karl, “Tell her there