Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 19

The scene was a blast from the past. She and Elliot were chatting cozily while Kieran stood not too far away, looking at her like. she was a stranger. After just two seconds, he turned his head away, as if they were in two parallel worlds.

Julie was always like that. Whenever Kieran was around, she spotted him instantly.

When they were in college, Daphne once teased her, “Honey, are you a radar or something? How come you always spot Kieran. first?

Back then, Julie responded, “Maybe because Kieran always shines bright, I can’t ignore him.”

“Are you in love with a god or something?” Daphne chuckled at Julie, who didn’t seem to mind.

Years later, Julie realized that the only change was that she once believed her life would always intertwine with Kieran’s, but now she understood they were just two lines that would never cross.

Julie took a silent step back and greeted Elliot with a smile as if she were chatting with an old friend, “You took advantage of me before, and I haven’t settled the score yet. Aren’t you afraid I’ll retaliate now that you’re so close?”

“Do you still love him?” Elliot’s sudden question caught Julie off guard.

She had been divorced for years and never dared face this question.

At some point, Kieran had moved closer amid the crowd. Elliot shot a glance at Kieran, hinting at Julië.

Kieran’s gaze also drifted towards Julie. He obviously heard Elliot’s question.

Elliot’s question put Julie in a dilemma.

She silently asked herself, “Do I still love him?”

The answer was obvious, she still loved him.

How could she easily let go of the man she had loved for half her life? But now it was a deep love that was covered by the scars buried deep in her heart.

After a moment of silence, Julie didn’t want to lie to Elliot.

So she looked at Elliot and said sincerely. Those lingering feelings will fade with time. Maybe one day I’ll even forget his face. People are meant to move on, right?”

Whether this was meant for Elliot or deliberately for Kieran to hear, it didn’t matter.

Elliot didn’t have high hopes, but Julie’s answer gave him a glimmer of hope. He didn’t hide his expression but smiled at Julie and said, “I like your answer, just as I like you. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I’ve liked you for many years.”

Julie was taken aback. She looked at Elliot, unsure how to respond.

She didn’t really know Elliot, had never thought of knowing him before, and could not determine the authenticity of his words.

Therefore, she chose to remain silent and deliberately misunderstood him, laughing. “I also like handsome, wealthy, and humorous friends like you, Mr. Sanches.”

Elliot understood Julie was dodging his question, but he just looked at her calmly and smiled without saying a word.

Elliot’s grandfather, Raymon Sanches, had just finished his speech on stage when the spotlight shone on Julie and Elliot.

The host was calling Elliot on stage for his speech, but instead, under the spotlight, he took Julie’s hand and led her towards the Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

stage.

Julie instinctively tried to shake off Elliot’s hand, but fearing a too vigorous reaction would embarrass him in front of the audience and the media, she was dragged onto the stage.

Just as Julie was about to ask Elliot to let go, he suddenly knelt down on one knee. He had a beautiful deep blue ring box in his hand, and the diamond ring inside sparkled under the crystal lights.

He knelt in front of her with a serious look, his gaze sincere as he asked, “Will you marry me? I’ve missed you for many years; I don’t want to miss out anymore.”

Julie, standing on the stage, was taken aback. Under the spotlight, her face was especially clear. But her first reaction was to look towards the dim crowd, subconsciously seeking Kieran’s direction.