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.

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

trembling with strong resistance, obviously terrified of Kieran coming

her into his arms,

finally reached Julie’s ears.

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

forehead and comforted her softly, “Don’t be

body gradually calmed

blanket, gently cradled her

finally found her voice and

holding Julie, placing her head on his chest. His arm was on Julie’s back, gently soothing

carefully held in the palm of his hand. His steady heartbeat

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

mind was a mess, but for some reason, listening to his steady breathing and smelling the familiar scent deeply ingrained in

didn’t bother her again that night. It was only when she woke up the next morning that she realized she

hour late for work.

her who was late, it was

had his eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Looking at the time on her phone, Julie felt like giving up on going to work. But eventually,

the hand returned to her waist.

we’re late!” Julie said

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

woken up by the sound of footsteps could not hear her loud voice.

ear and shouted louder in his

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

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

rough thumb caressed her skin around the waist. Julie was wearing a thin T-shirt last night, which had slid up to

hand held her waist, as if lighting a fire on

erratic, and a moan

kiss began to

Julie suddenly

neck. His morning desire was pressing against her leg. Julie

love?” Kieran didn’t seem willing to let go of last night’s topic. He

before finally blushing and speaking, “This has nothing to

sweet voice swept over Kieran’s heart like a

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

Julie quietly replied.

looking at Julie displeased, “What’s

mumbled, looking

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

thought for a moment and then asked Julie, “Is that another name for

in Lionel’s bed,