Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 307

She delicately held the cupcake in her hand, its frosting artfully swirled and topped with a fresh strawberry. Her fingers contrasted with the vibrant sweetness, and her softly curled hair was gathered into a low bun, with a few tendrils caressing her ears, adorned with pale pink teardrop pearl earrings. She wore a thin, white knitted sweater with a delicate openwork pattern that, despite its loose fit, accentuated her graceful figure. Her beauty was distinct, not the sultry kind that Adeline possessed with an almost aggressive allure, nor the austere elegance of a Julien. It was a clean, distinguished elegance that resonated with a unique quality.

From another woman’s perspective, like Julie’s, her allure was undeniable, and her voice… it was the kind that soothed the soul.

At that moment, Julie was leaning against Kieran’s back, looking at the screen that displayed the woman.

Kieran, for his part, didn’t expect Julie to be there at that moment, let alone to be leaning so affectionately against him. So when he turned his head, his expression was one of mild surprise.

Julie, who had been resting on Kieran’s back, slowly let go of his shoulder. Kieran was about to explain when Julie, with a smile, took the phone from the screen and, still smiling, said, “What a pretty cupcake. Maybe you could make one for me when you get back?”

Kieran was at a loss for words.

The woman, hearing Julie’s voice, looked up, clearly not expecting to see her suddenly, and after a moment’s pause, she smiled and nodded, “If you don’t mind.”

Julie laughed while holding the phone, “Mind? With such a gorgeous cupcake and a beautiful lady, how could I?”

She then moved in front of Kieran, playfully sitting on his lap, her arm around his shoulder and the phone in her other hand. The screen now showed both Kieran and Julie.

Julie turned to Kieran with a smile and said, “What do you think, Mr. Hernandez?”

It seemed to be the first time Mrs. Hernandez had taken such an initiative, and at that moment, Mr. Hernandez was still pleasantly shocked by his wife. When Julie turned to look at him, he was staring at her, seemingly lost in thought and not responding. Julie prodded him, “Aren’t you going to introduce

me?”

The background of the video call and the intimacy of their conversation suggested that this wasn’t their first chat, and they must have been quite familiar with each other for a while.

Hence Julie’s question to Kieran.

But before Kieran could answer, she chuckled and said, “You must be Joyce, right?”

With the memory of Annalise Hansen fresh in her mind, Julie took another look at her, half expecting another twist like Kieran having an aunt she didn’t know. But confirming no resemblance to Annalise, Julie nodded, a bit stiffly, “And you are?”

“I’m sorry to meet you like this,” she said with a timid smile, “I think Kieran should have told you about me sooner, but we didn’t want to burden you, so! didn’t introduce myself.”

Julie gave Kieran a deep look. His expression was meaningful as he gazed at the phone screen. She found the W

heard it somewhere before.

voice oddly familiar, as if she had

Maintaining her composure, Julie prompted the woman on the other side of the call, “It’s not too late to introduce yourself now.”

“Before I lose my temper with Kieran!” She thought.

But that woman hesitated, then with a shy nod, said softly, “Perhaps you should tell her, Kieran.”

“Perhaps you should!” Julie’s gaze at Kieran was sharp enough to slice. Her patience was wearing thin.

Kieran tenderly ruffled Julie’s hair as if she were a little lioness showing her claws.

Pointing on the screen, he said, “Silly, this is Camilla Stewart, Bertha Stewart’s sister.”

Julie was stunned for a good ten seconds before she finally found her voice, “Camilla?”

It was then Camilla lifted her head and beamed at Julie, “Did you think your husband had another woman on the side?”

Well, she almost went nuclear on Kieran!

It wasn’t until Camilla say some words that Julie realized why the voice seemed familiar. She had overheard Kieran and Camilla on a video call before she and Kieran had reconciled, making Camilla’s voice recognizable to her.

So, she was Bertha’s sister… Julie’s expression turned to one of mild embarrassment.

Suddenly, a little head popped into view on the screen. A tuft of hair belonging to a little one trying to snatch the cupcake.

Camilla handed the treat to the child and pointed at the screen, “Phoebe, say hello to your uncle.”

The child, Phoebe Hernandez, looked back at the camera. She was the spitting image of Lucián, from the shape of her face to her mouth and even her ears-just like a miniature version of him, except for those eyes. Clear and luminous, her beautiful big eyes seemed to hold galaxies within them, reminiscent of Bertha’s.

Camilla and Bertha didn’t look much alike, but their mannerisms and speech could seem similar at times. Bertha was elegant and graceful. Camilla, on the other hand, was easy-going and gentle.

Phoebe, despite turning around, was just staring blankly at the cupcake in her hand, silent and expressionless.

Camilla frowned slightly and gently patted Phoebe’s shoulder, “Sweetie, why don’t you go sit on the couch and enjoy your cupcake?”

Later, a housekeeper came up and led Phoebe away.

09:55

Camilla’s expression turned somber as she spoke to Kieran on the other end of the video call, “Phoebe is still the same, no improvement. I’ve found a new doctor, and we’ll take her there tomorrow.”

“Thank you for your efforts,” Kieran said, ending the video call.

Only then did Julie turn to look at Kieran, “What’s wrong with Phoebe?”

“Autism,” Kieran explained, holding Julie in his arms as if recalling a memory. “Last year, Camilla took Phoebe to Britain for treatment, but it didn’t help,

Julie had encountered a child with autism once, while she worked at a café.

Indifference to emotions, refusal to communicate, delayed speech development, repetitive behavior, and a significant limitation in activities and

interests.

They have sight but often avoid eye contact, they have language but struggle to communicate, they hear but seem to ignore, they act but often against your wishes… With no explanation at hand, they are called “children of the stars” – like the stars in the sky, each in their own world, shining on their own.

“Phoebe is smart. She can speak multiple languages, but never uses language to communicate with others. Sometimes she locks herself in her room, talking to herself, and sometimes she communicates with plants and animals, she draws. She’s different from most children with autism.”

Julie’s expression grew somber with Kieran’s words, “Has it always been like this?”

“Yes,” Kieran kissed Julie’s forehead before changing the subject. “Thought you’d be at the hospital, but you weren’t here when I arrived.”

“Julien found Rankin’s grave, so… I went there,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning on his shoulder. “I keep thinking about Davina. She said that I am responsible for Rankin’s death. I keep wondering why she would say that, but she never told me why before she died.”

“Some answers don’t need to be pursued. When it’s time to know, you’ll know,” he said, bending down to scoop her up in his arms. “What do you feel like eating?”

“Are you planning to carry me into the elevator like this?” she laughed, hugging his neck tighter. “Stop it, put me down.”

Noblewood Retreat.

As soon as they got home, Julie asked Shannon, “Shannon, how’s Amanda’s appetite today?”

Ever since Amanda found out that Lucian, whose identity had finally been confirmed, had gone missing again, she had been anxious and had lost her appetite.

Shannon wore a smile, telling Julie, “After Miss Julien brought Ms. Daphne over, the lady’s appetite has improved a lot. They’re in the room right now, laughing and having a good time.”

Daphne… Julie smiled and gave Kieran a glance, then ran upstairs to Amanda’s room.

The bedroom door was ajar, and inside, Amanda and Daphne were sitting on the couch talking with smiles. Daphne was more relaxed, holding her phone ́and pointing at it as she said to Amanda, “Granny, check this out, isn’t this comment just nasty?”

Amanda, peering over her reading glasses, took a look and nodded in agreement, “It is nasty. How could someone write that? You should reply.”

“How should I reply?” Daphne massaged her temples, looking a bit tired.

After a moment’s thought, Amanda said, “It must be one of Lionel’s fans. Calling you a social parasite is one thing, but to speak ill of your late parents, that’s just poor character.”

Suddenly, Daphne laughed, “What about this? How about I reply like this?”

Amanda read the response and broke into a hearty laugh, “Perfect, that’s a great comeback!”

It seemed that Daphne had been battling online trolls all afternoon… Julie approached, bemused, and asked, “You’ve been on your phone all afternoon, aren’t you tired?”

Daphne turned around excitedly, “Come here, tell me what you think of my reply!”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.