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.

gentle approach, Julie was startled and moved away quickly, murmuring, “Don’t come over…”

with strong resistance, obviously terrified

and pulled her

voice finally reached Julie’s

lifted her pale face. The sweat on her forehead was especially clear in the moonlight.

her forehead and comforted her

gradually calmed

tiny body with a blanket, gently

found her voice

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

in Kieran’s arms, felt like a child being carefully held in the palm of his hand. His steady heartbeat rhythmically

But now she realized that the person

steady breathing and smelling the familiar scent deeply ingrained in her memory, she fell

nightmare didn’t bother her again that night. It was only when she

half an hour late

was

at the time on her phone, Julie felt like giving up on

the hand returned to her

late!” Julie

the man beside her, as if he hadn’t heard her, kept

up by the sound of footsteps could not hear her

louder in

man next to her suddenly rolled over, pinning her underneath him.

to look at the man on top of her.

tongue gently probed past her teeth, his breath mixed with hers, his rough thumb caressed her skin around the waist. Julie was wearing a thin T-shirt last

waist, as if lighting a fire on her

erratic, and a moan escaped from her

passionate kiss began

suddenly yelled out.

was pressing against her leg. Julie was

Kieran didn’t seem willing to let go of last night’s topic. He had just woken up, his voice, sexy and

three seconds before finally blushing and speaking,

over Kieran’s heart like a

arms, his deep voice

quietly

looking at Julie

mumbled, looking

brows, grabbed Julie’s delicate chin, raising her exquisite face, asked angrily, “What are you

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

who was far away in Lionel’s bed, sneezed