Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 152

Julie understood the original intention of Kieran signing the contract with Bertha, as well as the deep

brotherly bond between him and

Lucian.

She thought, if Kieran’s choice was for Lucian’s child, then she could understand Kieran’s decision and

respect his past choices.

However, Kieran never told Julie that when he made these decisions. The first thing he thought about

was her safety.

Kieran had always been giving, whether it was in the past or now. But Julie understood better than

anyone that they had been through too much together, and some wounds were hard to heal once

formed.

Julie didn’t deny that she was obsessed with Kieran at first, didn’t deny her intense dislike of him later,

and didn’t deny that after going through so much, she still couldn’t erase him from her life and memory.

But…

“I understand his decisions, but he never told me why. He never thought that I’m not a pushover! Didn’t

he ever think of telling me the truth and facing it together? Why treat me like an ignorant person?”

Just like Kieran said, when Julie was in love with him, he never said he liked her because he was

considering for her, not wanting her to be in a relationship too early. But Kieran never considered

whether Julie wanted to be in a relationship early, as if he was never afraid that she would suddenly

change her affection, as if he had already determined that she would only like him in her life.

Later on, the decision Kieran made behind Julie’s back deceived her. He never talked to her about

divorce, but forced Julie to sign the divorce agreement herself. Everything he seemed to do was for her

good, and every choice he made was right and justified.

Julien looked at Julie for about half a minute before he chuckled and said, “Are all you lovebirds so

sensitive?”

At that time, Julie was baffled by Julien’s look…

She asked Julien somewhat puzzled, “How am I being sensitive?”

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“You said Kieran makes decisions without considering your feelings, let me counter-question, did you

ever ask about his feelings back then?” Julien’s counter-question left Julie speechless.

Julien, like an experienced master, patted Julie’s shoulder and said, “What you should be most grateful

for is that you are both still alive, there are no permanent goodbyes, and no one is physically impaired.

Being alive is the greatest gift.”

Julien’s words were easy and relaxed, like a person who had been through a lot. But Julie heard his

emotion.

Sometimes people demand too much and forget their original goal, forgetting that only the living have

the right to make demands and desires…

At that time, Julien said to Julie, “I’m not sure why Kieran didn’t choose to face the difficulties with you

at the time, but you know the man you loved deeply best. What I can tell you now is that I’m sure

Lucian is still alive. Bertha didn’t commit suicide, even though we know Lucian misunderstood Bertha,

but Lucian must have feelings for Bertha. And you happened to be at the scene when Bertha jumped

off the building, meaning, we can’t guarantee that Lucian won’t turn his attention back to you because

of Bertha. So, the safest way for you now is to stay within Kieran’s sight.”

Julien said, “I don’t care whether you love Kieran or whether you can end up with Kieran in the end, but

my goal is the same as his. First of all, you have to survive, if you are around Kieran, at least I don’t

need to worry about you distractedly. Meanwhile, you can build a bond with Ivan.”

Julie understood Julien’s kindness. Although Julien didn’t talk much and didn’t say some touching

words like Daphne from time to time, since they met, Julien really treated Julie as her lifesaver.

Julien looked at Julie earnestly, “No matter how you choose, you must admit, Ivan is safer with Kieran

than with you. Not to mention that you still have Sansa to take care of, Ivan being with you, first of all,

it’s hard for you to raise him financially. You can’t provide Ivan with a comfortable financial environment,

that’s the first point. Secondly, if Lucian wants to harm you, Ivan may be affected.”

Julie was silent after hearing this.

Julien’s words were very objective and reasonable.

“Wait until you and Ivan have established a good relationship, three months later, if you still don’t want

to stay by Kieran’s side, I will quit my job at the National Security Agency and take care of you

personally. I guarantee Kieran won’t be able to find you, I mean what I say, this is to repay you for

saving my life.” This was the last thing Julien said to Julie that day.

Eventually, Julie dialed Kieran’s number with the recorder Julien gave her.

The following press conference went much smoother than she expected.

From today on, in everyone’s eyes, she officially became Mrs. Hernandez.

When she returned home with Kieran and Ivan, it wasn’t until Daphne called Julie that she came back

to her senses.

In the end, Julie thought Julien made a lot of sense, no matter what happens between Kieran and

herself in the end, she would never

give up Ivan.

From Julien’s objective analysis, Kieran could provide Ivan with a better life, which was actually

secondary, the important thing was, as long as Lucian’s issue wasn’t resolved, both she and Ivan were

in danger.

Although the feelings between Julie and Kieran now couldn’t be measured by the deep love they had in

the beginning, Julie still trusted Kieran, trusted that he could handle all matters related to Lucian.

It was a trust from her bones.

So, from any perspective, making her relationship with Kieran public was the right choice.

Julie leaned on the balcony, deep in thought.

At this moment, Ivan suddenly brought out a cup of warm milk from the living room, and came out

carefully.

He tugged at her sleeve, his face full of anticipation, “Mom, do you want some milk? It’ll help you sleep

better.”

It was a bit windy on the balcony in late autumn. Julie had been standing there after hanging up the

phone with Daphne. She took the milk from Ivan’s hand, feeling a warmth in her heart.

Just as Julie was about to take a sip, Ivan suddenly said, “Mom, the milk isn’t too hot, right? Dad tasted

it before giving it to you! It’s definitely good.”

Julie accidentally spit a mouthful of milk all over Ivan’s face.

Ivan helplessly closed his eyes…

Julie quickly put down the cup, rolled up her sleeves to clean Ivan’s face, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do

that. I guess I’m a clumsy mom…” Before she could finish her sentence, Julie froze.

The casual ‘mom’ she had just said, it came out so naturally, as if it came from the depths of her heart.

The little boy, covered in milk, suddenly broke into a wide grin and ran into the house, shouting at

Kieran as he ran, “Kieran!! My mom finally admitted that I’m her son, haha, she acknowledged me

before even acknowledging you as her husband!”

Kieran was speechless. This kid is a natural comedian!

Kieran, holding a wool shawl, walked to the balcony, while pointing at Ivan’s head, “Go take a bath.”

Ivan touched his face, he himself was grossed out by his own mess…

He thought Ivan would go to bathe immediately as Kieran suggested, but instead, he turned to Julie

and shouted, “Mom, can you help me bathe?”

Julie was stunned.

Kieran’s large hand cupped Ivan’s head, making the little guy look at him.

Kieran smiled at the little guy, “How about I help you bathe?”

Kieran’s expression was neither gentle nor kind.

Ivan decisively shook his head, “No, you won’t clean me properly!”

Kieran patted Ivan’s shoulder, raising an eyebrow, “Do you want my help or will you shower yourself?”

Whenever Ivan saw this expression on Kieran, he knew he was up to something.

Growing up under Kieran’s guidance, Ivan…

Ivan reluctantly glanced at Julie, then quickly scampered upstairs.

Kieran’s gaze followed Ivan, then, holding the shawl, he turned back towards the balcony.

Julie stood on the balcony, holding the cup of milk that Ivan had just handed her, about to go inside.

She saw Kieran walking towards her, and she froze, holding the milk cup.

The cool breeze was messing up her smooth hair.

Kieran draped the dark grey checked wool shawl over Julie’s shoulders, then glanced at his watch and

said, “It’s getting late, and it’s windy out here. Let’s go inside?”

Julie didn’t refuse Kieran’s kindness, as she was feeling a bit chilly. She adjusted the shawl on her

shoulders, then, holding the cup of milk, headed towards the room.

Shannon brought a cup of tea and handed it to Julie, “I heard Mrs. Abraham coughing this afternoon,

so I made you some ginger tea. Have some, you might catch a cold.”

Julie gave Shannon a sweet smile, “Thank you, Shannon.”

She finished the ginger tea in one gulp. It warmed her stomach, making her feel comfortable.

As Shannon turned to go back to the kitchen, Julie called her back, “Shannon, where are the blankets

for the guest room?”

“Mrs. Abraham, are you planning to sleep in the guest room?” Shannon looked surprised, holding the

cup in her hand, she looked at Julie, then at Kieran.

Kieran spoke directly to Shannon, “She’ll be sleeping in my master bedroom, you can go rest now.”

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