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.

startled and moved away

with strong resistance, obviously

held her hand and pulled her into

finally reached Julie’s

face. The sweat

comforted

gradually

with a blanket, gently cradled her in his arms, and adjusted the blanket

found her voice and nodded gently.

Julie, placing her head on his chest.

His steady heartbeat rhythmically echoed in his chest. With her ear pressed against his

child, Julie always fantasized about a prince riding a white horse and giving her a passionate love story. But now she realized that the

mess, but for some reason, listening to his steady breathing and smelling the familiar scent deeply ingrained in her memory, she fell into a deep and sweet sleep.

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

an hour

was

asleep. Looking at the time on her phone, Julie felt like giving up on going

could get up, the hand returned to her waist.

late!” Julie said helplessly.

her,

woken up by the sound of footsteps could

ear and shouted louder in his ear, “Mr. Hernandez, we’re late!”

hand away, the man next to her suddenly rolled over,

opened her eyes wide to look at the man on top of her. Before she could say anything, he suddenly leaned down and kissed

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

waist, as if lighting a fire

breath became erratic, and a moan escaped

his passionate kiss began to trail down…

suddenly

neck. His morning desire was pressing against her leg. Julie was having some trouble breathing, a hint of what seemed like shyness immediately blushed

night’s topic. He had just woken up, his voice, sexy and slightly hoarse

seconds before finally blushing and speaking, “This has nothing to do with platonic

Kieran’s heart like a

his deep

Julie quietly

Julie displeased,

mumbled, looking down.

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

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

was far away in Lionel’s