Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 360

Julie wriggled free from the embrace of the kiss, her cool hands cupping Kieran’s face as she spoke with urgency, "I've remembered what I wanted to talk about! It’s Camilla!"

She held his face, looking up into his eyes with a determined gaze, "I've noticed something about Camilla—her hands, they have calluses!"

His eyes narrowed dangerously, his tousled hair dripping wet, clinging to his cheeks but somehow not diminishing his charm. Instead, it made him look all the more captivating.

"And?" Kieran raised an eyebrow, taking Julie's hands off his face, questioning, "What's that got to do with me?"

"No, it's not that!" Julie, with a serious tone, grabbed Kieran's hands, her voice earnest, "These calluses, I've seen them on Julien's hands, too. Julien said they're from long hours at the shooting range, but Camilla, she..."

Julie shook her head, dismissing her own thoughts, "Never mind, I must be overthinking it. Camilla's so delicate... I guess my mind's been adrift lately. I'm always worrying about nothing. You go back to your shower."

With that, she pushed away from him, heavy-hearted, and left the room.

By the time Kieran came to his senses, Julie had already closed the door behind her. Julie picked up her phone and searched for Julien's contact, sending a message, "Julien, could you send me some photos of your hands?"

Waiting for Julien's response seemed like an eternity, but no answer came...

Meanwhile, Julien and Hayden stood outside the presidential suite of the Cardinal Hotel.

"Why not go back to the villa?" Julien asked Hayden casually.

But Hayden merely shrugged, offering no reply.

"Whatever," Julien, genuinely tired, swiped her key card and opened the door, her movements smooth and efficient. She had expected to find a room ready for rest, but was instead greeted by the overwhelming scent of roses...

A sea of red roses covered the floor, with a path marked by elegant white candles leading straight to the bed. Above, myriad heart-shaped helium balloons with trailing ribbons floated near the ceiling. Each balloon bore a beautiful bookmark...

Julien was so startled she stood frozen, not daring to step further into the room. She looked up to see her name written on a bookmark. The handwriting was bold and fluent, as beautiful as the man behind her. She recognized it instantly.

Below her name was a date—March 21st, 2009.

Turning to face him, her eyes betrayed a hint of confusion.

He casually plucked a balloon, revealing a bookmark tied to it, also inscribed, Julien—March 21st, 2014.

March 21st...

"Do you remember this day?" he asked, suddenly wrapping his arms around her from behind and presenting the bookmark to her.

Of course, Julien remembered that day. It was the day she had boldly entrusted herself to him, a memory so deeply etched in her heart that she believed she would never forget it, even in another life.

"Every year on this day, I've wondered what would have become of us if I hadn't left. I've written it down a hundred, maybe a thousand times, with no one to answer my question. Now I know, Lien, you are the answer I've been looking for, you’re my redemption."

His voice was husky and intoxicating, seeping into her mind, becoming an indelible part of her memory.

Surrounded by his familiar scent, she took the bookmark from his hand, turned to face him, her eyes sincere, "If you hadn't left, Miles wouldn't have lost. If Miles hadn't died, I would still be a spy with the National Security Agency. Every day as a spy, I wondered how I would leave this world—tortured to death or dying in a blaze of glory..."

"I'll protect you, for the rest of our lives," he said, guiding her down the candlelit path, leading her to the bed.

The bed was adorned with a sleek black silk duvet.

Atop it, roses were arranged into a heart with a beautiful teddy bear sitting in the center, clutching a velvet black box with a traditional clasp—a unique design.

He let go of her hand, picked up the box, and opened it.

The box, with its smooth corners, blossomed open like a flower in bloom...

Julien's eyes held a mixture of anticipation and a desire to flee. She hoped for a simple ring inside—a symbol of love, marriage, and commitment. Yet, she feared a ring that could bind them too tightly. In the past, she had yearned for an unyielding love and a sweet marital life with him. Now, after so many years, she feared the shackles of commitment, like a sailor used to the perilous freedom of the sea, suddenly asked to find solace at home.