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

resistance, obviously terrified of Kieran coming closer.

her hand and pulled her into his arms, “Joyce,

familiar voice finally reached

she lifted her pale face. The sweat on her forehead was especially clear

the sweat from her forehead and comforted her softly, “Don’t be scared, I’m

body gradually calmed

a nightmare?” He covered her tiny body with a blanket, gently cradled her in his arms, and adjusted

found her voice and

sleep…” Kieran lay down holding Julie, placing her head on his chest. His arm was on Julie’s back,

arms, felt like a child being carefully held in the palm of his hand. His steady heartbeat rhythmically echoed in his chest. With her ear pressed against his chest, she heard

But now she realized that the person who was there for

for some reason, listening to his steady breathing and smelling the familiar scent deeply ingrained in her memory, she fell

only when she woke up the next morning that she realized she had

half an hour late for work.

just her who was late, it

at the time on her phone, Julie

up, the hand

we’re late!” Julie said helplessly.

if he hadn’t heard her, kept his hand on her waist and

a man who could be woken up by the sound of

in

next to her suddenly rolled over,

to look at the man on top of her. Before she could say

her teeth, his breath mixed with hers, his rough thumb caressed her skin around the waist. Julie was wearing a thin T-shirt last night, which had slid up

if

a moan escaped

began

suddenly yelled

it fell on her smooth neck. His morning desire was pressing against her leg. Julie was

go of last night’s topic. He had

about two or three seconds before finally blushing and speaking, “This has

sweet voice swept over Kieran’s heart

deep voice slightly raised, “Then what

quietly

looking at Julie displeased,

Julie mumbled, looking

raising her exquisite face, asked

Julie, “Is that another name for

in Lionel’s bed, sneezed