Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 296

In the Director’s office at Serenity Care Hospital, Dr. Brice pointed at the surveillance screen, saying, “He’s here.”

In the frame, Kyle was holding Sansa’s hand, sitting by her bedside.

Kyle was dressed in a crisp white suit with a blue-striped tie today. The blue-striped tie matched the blanket that Sansa was covered with. At the foot of Sansa’s bed, there was a bouquet of red roses, the most vibrant color in the entire ward. It seemed to light up the blue and white tones of the room, breathing life into it.

Sansa lay there quietly, her cheeks hollowed by extreme thinness, a stark contrast to the lively woman from his memory.

He gently stroked her fallen cheeks with his hand, the pain in his heart was as if it was being carved by a knife.

After what seemed like an eternity, he finally managed to utter a sentence.

“I’m sorry, Sansa, I’m sorry, I came too late.” Tears rolled down his cheeks, landing on her pale face, yet she lay there still, like an inanimate doll.

Julie never thought that she would witness such a heart-wrenching scene. Kyle had only spoken one sentence, just one. But from his quivering back, Julie felt as if she could see the love they once shared.

He was always a gentleman, always considerate. He would pull out the chair for Sansa during meals, even test the water temperature before she drank.

Her mother always said that Kyle had spoiled Sansa, letting the usually independent and strong Sansa act like a child in front of him. Julie remembered the proposal, how it

had been.

He had bought her favorite red roses, knelt down on one knee, and looked up at her. It was winter, Julie was at Kieran’s house finishing her homework.

It was the first snowfall of the year, Julie had made plans for her and Kieran to spend the day together. The rumor was that a confession under the first snow would last forever. But tragically, she had spent the day working on her assignments.

When she stepped out of Kieran’s house, feeling disappointed, the snow had already covered the entire ground. In the evening, outside the villa lit with festive lights, Kyle was kneeling in the snow, holding Sansa’s favorite red roses, and a ring in his hand, he asked her, “Miss Sansa, would you like to be my silly girl for life?”

Even though it was a distant memory, that beautiful scene was etched in Julie’s mind. Until later, when Sansa and Kyle inexplicably broke up, she was watching Sansa cry her heart out all night, and then watching her pull herself together, saying she wanted to be a woman worthy of Kyle.

Sansa made herself strong and fearless, but Kyle seemed to have disappeared from the world. And now, the man she loved was sitting in front of her, but she didn’t even have the chance to say a word.

Julie felt as if someone was sawing at her heart, her eyes welled up with tears, unable to describe the pain she felt. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Kieran reached out and pulled Julie into his arms, letting her cry on his chest.

Kyle held Sansa’s hand tightly, their fingers intertwined. He spoke to her as if chatting about their daily lives, whispering, “Sansa, I’ve opened a law firm, it’s called S&J. which stands for Stefan and June – signifying both me and your favourite month. You said you loved June because you were born in June, and we met in June. I asked you, who you loved the most, and you said Joyce. You promised to protect your sister from the moment she was born. So I said, okay, you protect her, and I’ll protect you. But you kept your promise, and I failed…”

Julie was crying in Kieran’s arms, and Kieran was gently patting her back.

Kyle traced Sansa’s features softly with his fingers, “I’ve put down all the responsibilities and burdens I had, and came to you empty-handed to fulfill my promise. You’re my last piece of luggage…”.

This time, let me protect you. If you wake up, I’ll take you to see the vast sky and sea. If you don’t, I’ll stay here with you until the end of time… Kyle thought so, leaning down and placing a devout kiss on Sansa’s forehead.

Dr. Brice looked at the emotional Julie, his brow furrowed. He gently closed his laptop, and said to Kieran, “Don’t worry, there will be someone on duty tonight, she will be fine.”

**

The next morning when Julie woke up, she found that her eyes were red and swollen.

Shannon came over, “Young Master left for the office early. He said he’d pick you up at noon. Madame..”

Shannon paused, as if she was unsure whether to continue.

Julie laughed, “Shannon, just say what you want to say, it’s alright.”

Shannon chuckled awkwardly before finally saying, “Madame, did someone bully you? If someone did, you must tell the Young Master…”

Shannon’s genuine concern warmed Julie’s heart, reminding her of her own mother. Her mother was always so elegant, always eager to raise her and Sansa well, hoping they would thrive. Shannon was never this caring in her childhood memories with Sansa.

She hugged Shannon gently, sincerely thanking her, “Shannon, thank you. For staying with me unwaveringly back then, and for caring about me now.”

Shannon patted Julie’s back, her smile kind, “Silly girl, I’m just doing my job! It was Young Master who asked me to stay with you. There’s not much I can do, but seeing how you two have struggled and been apart for so many years, it pains me too!”

“Hmm…” Julie responded, her voice soft and childlike.

Shannon patted Julie on the shoulder and then headed downstairs.

Julie hadn’t forgotten about her lunch meeting with Zenith that day. As she tidied up and made her way downstairs to greet Amanda…

She found Amanda and Shannon chatting on the sofa.

Amanda was a tough woman on the outside but had a soft heart. Frowning, she asked Shannon, “Isn’t it Bertha’s birthday coming up?”

At this, Shannon paused in the act of pouring tea, then responded with a touch of emotion, “Yeah, good people just… go. If Bertha were still alive, her birthday would be in a couple of days.”

“She’s buried at Peaceful Garden Cemetery?” Amanda asked.

Shannon nodded. “Yeah, the young master arranged it.”

Amanda sighed lightly, seemingly lost in memories. “I remember when Ivan was two or three, constantly crying and asking for his mom. I pitied him, so I let Bertha play the role. Bertha, instead of spending time with Phoebe, spent all her time telling Ivan stories.”

Shannon chuckled in a pained manner, also reminiscing. “Yeah, she told him stories about when the young master and Madame were young. Ivan enjoyed them immensely. Bertha said she had done too many things to betray the Madame and feared she wouldn’t even have the right to ask for forgiveness. But she didn’t have an easy life either…”

“The disappearance of Lucian has affected many people over the years,” Amanda said, frowning. “Both Lucian and Joyce are my family. I’m too old for this… Will I live to see the family reunited?”

Julie, standing on the stairs, took a deep breath before she descended, pretending not to have heard anything. She walked over to Amanda with a smile. “Grandma.”

“Who upset you last night?” Amanda asked brusquely.

Knowing Amanda’s harsh words masked a soft heart, Julie shook her head with a smile. “No one… no one upset me.”

As Kieran entered, he heard Julie earnestly explaining that she hadn’t been upset by anyone.

He laughed and walked over, draping an arm around Amanda’s shoulder. “Grandma, isn’t my wife cute even with puffy eyes?”

Amanda shot Kieran a look. Julie reached behind Amanda to poke Kieran.

“Why are you back so early?”

“I’m competing with you for her time! I plan to take my wife out for lunch,” Kieran replied jovially.

Amanda wasn’t as relaxed. “Take Bolt with you.”

To reassure Amanda, Kieran and Julie agreed to bring Bolt along.

Karl was in the driver’s seat, so Bolt took the passenger seat.

As soon as Julie and Kieran climbed into the car, Karl handed Kieran a tablet. “Mr. Hernandez, this is an invitation from the Fitzgerald Bank. It’s for a dinner at the Cardinal Hotel tonight at six.”

When Julie and Kieran arrived at the restaurant, Zenith was already there.

He was alone in a private room, studying the menu intently.

On seeing Kieran and Julie, he finally looked up.

Without any unnecessary small talk, Kieran and Julie sat down directly opposite Zenith.

Zenith ordered a few dishes, then handed the menu to Julie.

“I’m here to get back my favor,” he said, addressing Kieran.

Julie, looking up from the menu, suddenly understood that by “favor,” Zenith meant the life-saving incident from before.

“And how do you plan on this?” Kieran asked, his expression unreadable.

Zenith ordered an expensive bottle of wine from the waiter before speaking. “The Fitzgerald Bank is hosting a dinner tonight at the Cardinal Hotel. I heard that Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez are invited. I guess I’m not important enough to be on the guest list. I was hoping you two could help me deliver something to someone at the dinner.”