Chapter 129
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Juliette slashed down, sending half of the pear flying into the mush cam. The blunt side of the knite grazed Madeline’s carotid artery. One inch further, and it would have em her skin
Madeline was so terrified that she screamed and nearly fell off her chair
“It was an accident,” Juliette said coolly
Madeline’s face went pale, and she lost it. “You’re just jealous because I have a childhood bond with Patrick.
“You actually tried to kill me it wasn’t an accident. You’re already Louis‘ stepmom, so why can’t you leave me alone? What if Louis ticks you off someday? Are you going to do the same to him?
“Look, Patrick chose you because he thought I was too young and naive to be Louis‘ stepmom. But if you ever lay a finger on Louis, you’re done for!” Madeline snapped.
Juliette took Louis into her arms. She sliced off a piece of pear and popped it into his mouth. He savored it.
“Thanks, but I’ve got this. As his mom, I’ll be the one protecting him, Juliette said with a smile. “Well, looks like his dad has been messing around. I need to talk to Louis about whether we should leave him”
Madeline found it ridiculous. “Leave him? What a joke! Louis is Patrick’s kid. If anyone’s got to go, it’s you, the extra one here.”
Patrick looked at her seriously and said, “In our family, my wife calls the shots. If they decide to leave, I might be the one left
1 behind. It’s not about being related by blood”
She was left speechless. How could Patrick, who always kept his distance, say something like that?
“By the way, when is your birthday?” Patrick asked suddenly.
She was about to answer him, but something dawned on her. Her voice rose in shock. “Patrick, you get me birthday presents on time every year. How could you not know it?”
Patrick stared at her. Patrick stared at her. “I’ve never known your birthday. A present for you every year? No way. You must be mistaking me for someone else.”
He was just stating the facts, but to Madeline, who had a heart full of admiration, it felt like a total rejection.
“Impossible! How could make such a mistake?” she said.
Patrick just looked at her coldly, without giving any explanation.
“Don’t you know I love dogs? I told you how cute they are. And every year, you give me toy dogs to keep me company,” she insisted.
“If someone really cared about you, they’d be there for you, not just give you toy dogs. His tone was still flat, ice–cold, and shut Madeline’s feelings down.
She looked at Patrick, on the verge of breaking down. But Patrick already rang the bell and called someone in. “I’m gonna rest now. Make sure anyone who doesn’t belong here leaves.”
He meant Madeline. She had come in brimming with confidence, only to be asked to leave. No matter how much of a scene she made, Patrick had her escorted out.
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+23
Chapter 129
The ward door closed. Juliette sat on the sofa, carefully peeling fruits.
Louis stood with his hands on his hips, glaring at Patrick. “Dad, I’ve gotta call you out on this.”
“Uh huh,” Patrick muttered.
“Before you met Mom, you weren’t very careful. That woman thought you were head over heels for her and came here to yell at Mom. Isn’t this your fault?”
Patrick threw his hands up.
“When you were a kid, you even climbed a tree to pick oranges for another girl. Didn’t it ever occur to you that she might not be your future wife?” Louis pressed.
Hearing this, Patrick glanced at Juliette. She was expertly peeling an orange, already more than halfway done.
“Why even have a childhood sweetheart? Without her, we’d avoid so much trouble.” Louis sighed. “Dad, I won’t repeat your mistakes. To keep my future wife from getting jealous, I’ll keep my distance from other girls from now on.”
Patrick frowned. He couldn’t recall ever picking an orange for Madeline. But he did remember climbing a tree to pick them because his mother wanted fresh oranges.
Juliette finished peeling the orange. “Louis, be a good boy and take this to the next room to eat. I need to talk to him alone.”
Louis had been fierce toward Patrick, but when he turned to face Juliette, his expression softened into a sweet smile.
He took the peeled orange and replied, “Okay, Mommy. Just gotta say something to Dad real quick, then I’m out.”
Louis crawled to Patrick and whispered in his ear, “Daddy, I think Mommy’s mad. I don’t want to lose her. Swallow your pride and apologize. If you don’t, I’ll support her in leaving you. I mean it.”
Louis slid off the bed, orange in hand, and trotted to the next room. He shut the door behind him, giving her the space she needed.
Juliette pulled out a wet wipe and wiped the fruit knife over and over again, the blade gleaming. The atmosphere was thick with tension.
Patrick’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he said, “I’m injured and bedridden.”
“Uh–huh.” Juliette stood up, slowly approached him, and placed her hands on either side of his body.
Of course, she was still holding the fruit knife.
Patrick swallowed hard again and said hoarsely, “Don’t get so close to me.”
“You look scared,” she said. “You’ve got the guts to keep a childhood sweetheart. You climbed trees to pick oranges for her, showered her with birthday presents every year, and let her come and yell at me. Mr. Clarke, I’m impressed.”
Patrick completely forgot about his jealousy of Louis. All he could think about was Juliette gearing up to confront him about Madeline.
His fingers lightly tapped the bed, his charming eyes fixed on Juliette.
The huge blood loss left Patrick pale, his skin almost see–through. Strangely, it made him look even more captivating.
“That’s just what she says. To me, she’s just someone from the past Honestly, I don’t see her as a childhood sweetheart at all. I
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Chapter ten
climbed that tree to pick oranges for my mom Mom was there too. About her birthday, I have no idea he explained.
you’re saying
it’s all one–sided?” Juliene asked.
Obviously. But I don’t care if it’s one–sided. All I care about is if her being around bothers you”
With a gentle but firm touch, Patrick clasped the back of Juliette’s neck, tilting her head down. He kissed her.
