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

resistance, obviously terrified of

hand and pulled her into his arms, “Joyce,

finally reached

the moonlight, she lifted her pale face. The sweat on her forehead was

comforted her softly, “Don’t be

gradually calmed

tiny body with a blanket, gently cradled her in his arms, and

found her voice

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

of his hand. His steady heartbeat rhythmically echoed in his chest. With her ear pressed against his chest, she heard it very clearly.

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

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

she woke up the next morning that she realized she

hour

just her who was late, it was

on his 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 wriggle free from

up, the hand

we’re late!”

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

could be woken up by

shouted louder in his

Julie could pull her hand away, the man next to her

of her. Before she could say

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 night, which had slid up to her waist during their

large hand held her waist, as if lighting

breath became erratic, and a moan escaped from her lips…

his passionate kiss began

Julie suddenly yelled

on her smooth neck. His morning desire was pressing against her leg. Julie was having some trouble breathing, a hint of what seemed

last night’s topic. He had just woken up,

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

swept over Kieran’s heart

his deep voice

quietly

at Julie displeased, “What’s

Julie mumbled, looking

delicate chin, raising her exquisite face,

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

far away in Lionel’s bed,