Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 169

Julie hadn’t had a nightmare in ages.

Maybe it was because she was back in a familiar environment, which triggered some scenes from her subconscious mind.

She dreamt of teenaged Sansa in a white ballet dress, dancing elegantly in the living room, as Darcey, with a gentle smile on her face, guided Sansa’s dance moves with satisfaction.

Julie sat by practicing her handwriting with a pen, making a mess of it, and even splashing ink on herself. Darcey frowned and scolded her while Sansa continued to spin gracefully.

Padgett came back from work and said to Darcey, “Honey, you must be tired from all that scolding. Have some water, I’ll take over.”

Then he turned to Sansa and said, “Sansa, get your mom a glass of water.”

Sansa, who finally got a break from her dance practice, winked happily at Julie and ran to the kitchen to get some water.

Darcey sat on the sofa drinking water in a huff, while Padgett put his hands on his hips and looked at Julie sternly, “Little Julie, why do you always make your mother worry?”

Padgett winked at Julie and said, “You’re being naughty, now go clean up the weeds in the garden!”

Little did he know that Julie would rather pull weeds than practice writing. So, she happily picked up a comic book, tucked it into her pocket, and ran cheerfully towards the garden.

However, when she pushed the backyard gate open, the scene changed dramatically.

Instead of a beautiful garden, there was a winding tarred road.

Julie turned around instantly. The sunlit living room turned pitch black, with no end in sight. Sansa’s gentle and serene smile gradually disappeared.

Suddenly, heavy rain started to pour, and raindrops splashed on her face, her body….

A thunderclap roared in the sky, causing Julie to jolt in fear.

Then, there was a loud bang behind her.

Frightened, Julie spun around. She saw two cars colliding at the turn of the road. The screeching sound of brakes pierced through Julie’s eardrums. She clearly saw the bloody faces of Sansa and Darcey….

“Ah!” A scream suddenly echoed in the villa.

Julie sat up in bed, drenched in sweat.

Kieran, who was sleeping lightly next door, heard Julie’s scream and immediately got up and opened her bedroom door.

In the faint moonlight, he saw Julie curled up in a corner of the bed, hugging her legs, and trembling slightly.

“Julie.” He called her name softly and slowly approached her.

and moved away quickly, murmuring,

resistance, obviously terrified of Kieran

and pulled her into his arms, “Joyce, it’s me,

familiar voice finally reached Julie’s

she lifted her pale face. The sweat on

sweat from her forehead and comforted her

trembling body gradually

blanket, gently cradled her in his arms, and adjusted the blanket for her.

found her voice and nodded

on his chest. His arm was

the palm of his hand. His steady heartbeat rhythmically echoed in his chest. With her ear pressed against his chest, she heard

realized that the person who was there for her when she needed comfort, however plain it may be, could make her

to his steady breathing and smelling the familiar scent deeply ingrained

It was only when she

an hour

her who was late, it was

arm and she was curled up peacefully in his arms. Kieran had his eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Looking at the time on her phone, Julie felt like giving up on going to work. But eventually, she managed to

get up, the hand returned to her waist.

Hernandez, we’re late!”

the man beside her, as if he hadn’t heard her, kept his hand on her waist and continued

a man who could be woken up by the sound of footsteps could not hear her

in his ear, “Mr. Hernandez,

Julie could pull her hand away, the man next

the man on top of her.

breath mixed with hers, his rough thumb caressed her skin around the waist. Julie

her waist, as if lighting a

and a moan escaped from her lips…

passionate kiss began to trail down…

suddenly

pressing against her leg. Julie was having some trouble breathing, a hint

willing to let go of last night’s topic. He had just woken up, his voice, sexy and slightly hoarse

remained silent for about two or three seconds before finally blushing and speaking, “This has nothing to do with platonic love…”

sweet voice swept over Kieran’s

press against the woman in his arms, his deep voice slightly raised, “Then what does it have

Julie quietly

Julie displeased, “What’s

mumbled, looking down.

furrowed his brows, grabbed Julie’s delicate chin, raising her exquisite face,

a moment and then asked Julie, “Is that another name for Daphne? What does your refusal to see me have to do with

in Lionel’s bed, sneezed loudly.