Chapter 30
Patrick had never experienced the feeling of being struck by lightning–until now.
And it wasn’t just lightning. It felt like electricity coursing through every part of his body.
The icy look in his eyes melted into one of utter disbelief, Patrick thought, ‘So Juliette has been here the entire time?
Watching me take down those eight men with swift, precise moves? Watching me face off against her? And hearing everything I have just said?
Patrick shut his strikingly beautiful eyes and, without warning, collapsed onto Juliette.
It all happened so fast that Juliette barely had time to react before she felt the full weight of him pressing against her.
Juliette froze. The firm expanse of his chest and the solid lines of his body pressed against her.
And the faint scent of cedarwood filled the air, stronger now–dean and enticing.
Juliette nudged his arm. No response. “Patrick… Patrick?” she called out.
Still nothing. When Juliette’s hand accidentally brushed against his fingers, they felt ice–cold
Remembering what Louis had said about his fainting episodes, Juliette lifted his head and pressed a hand to his forehead. Burning hot.
So he really had a fever. Then what’s all that strength earlier supposed to mean?‘ Juliette muttered.
“Don’t you dare pretend to pass out. Mr. Clarke, you were just showing off how tough you are. I saw everything. Keep this act up, and I’ll shove you onto the ground,” Juliette said, her voice frosty
The man on top of her didn’t move. Unamused, Juliette gave him a pusli, intending to let him drop.
Patrick’s elegant figure tilted, and he was about to hit the floor when an image flashed through Juliette’s mind–her own funeral in her past life.
With a sharp inhale, Juliette caught him by the waist just before he hit the ground, pulling him back up and into her arms.
In one smooth motion, she lifted him and carried him bridal–style off the motorcycle toward the house. As she walked, her gaze involuntarily dropped to the man cradled in her arms.
The cold glow of the moon blended with the soft, warm light spilling from the house, casting a serene radiance over him Patrick’s eyes were closed, and his long lashes cast delicate shadows on his pale skin.
At that moment, Patrick looked ethereal and fragile. The commanding aura that always surrounded him was nowhere to be found.
Instead, Patrick looked like a vulnerable man in desperate need of care.
Juliette had seen many of his movies before, but not once had she seen him like this–not even in his most dramatic roles.
“Daddy, is Mouy here yet? Did you scare the bad guys away?” Louis’s small voice echoed from the doorway as the boy ran toward them.
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Chapter 30
But what Louis saw stopped him in his tracks: Juliette carrying Patrick inside.
Louis’s tiny face scrunched in confusion, his big, bright eyes filled with questions. He blinked up at Juliette and asked, “Mommy, what’s wrong with Daddy?”
“Didn’t you tell me he fainted and told me to hurry over?” Juliette asked, feigning annoyance.
Louis hesitated, his little face showing a moment of guilt. He peeked out the door, scanning the yard for signs of the supposed intruders. Not a single bad guy in sight.
Then Louis quickly pieced it together: Patrick must have dealt with the intruders and then conveniently fainted in front of Juliette.
“Daddy’s so sneaky,‘ Louis thought, his little mouth pouting. ‘Now instead of hugging me, Mommy’s carrying him.
“Daddy really did have a fever earlier, but when the bad guys came, he jumped out of bed, even though he was super sick, to protect us. Did they knock him out?” Louis asked, still determined to help Patrick sell the story.
Juliette placed Patrick on the couch and turned to Louis. “Do you think your dad is that fragile? That he’d get knocked out so easily?”
Louis twiddled his chubby fingers, blinking up at her with wide eyes. He wasn’t sure if Juliette had caught onto their plan or
So Louis hesitated, thinking. If I tell the truth, will Mommy stop liking me? But if I keep lying, will she see through us?
And if she does, Daddy’s chances of winning her over will be ruined.”
Soon, Louis made his decision. He’d stick with Patrick
“Daddy’s not fragile, but he was really sick, and even though he was hurt, he still fought them off for me. He’s a hero, right, Mommy?” Louis continued.
Louis’s words dissolved some of Juliette’s frustration.
“All the bad guys were taken down, but the moment he saw me, he fainted. Strange, isn’t it?” Juliette said, her tone lightening. as a smile tugged at her lips.
Louis nodded solemnly. “Not strange at all. Mommy’s so beautiful. Daddy probably fainted because he got overwhelmed.
“But most importantly, he knew you’d take care of me, so he felt safe enough to pass out.”
Juliette was momentarily stunned by how reasonable that explanation sounded.
Patrick had been burning with fever–he must’ve pushed himself to his limit to protect Louis.
And after Patrick recognized her, his tense resolve must’ve snapped, leaving him to collapse. It made sense.
“Don’t worry, Mommy. Daddy’s strong. He just needs some rest. He’ll wake up soon? Louis assured her with a confident nod.
Juliette mulled it over and finally nodded back. “Alright.”
With that, Juliette went to the bathroom, washed her hands, and returned with a basin of warm water.
Juliette placed a cool towel on Patrick’s forehead, dissolved some fever medicine in water, and coaxed him into drinking it.
Chapter 30
Once Patrick was settled, Juliette turned on the TV and sat on the couch with Louis.
“What should we watch? Peppa Pig, SpongeBob, or Tom and Jerry?” Juliette asked softly.
Louis sat up straight, serious as ever. He wanted to suggest One Piece, but Juliette hit My Little Pony without waiting for his
answer.
Louis stared at the screen, dumbfounded. Why even ask?‘
Still, this was the first time he’d ever watched cartoons with Juliete, so Louis sat quietly beside her, happy just to be close.
Out of nowhere, Juliette leaned over and pinched his chubby cheeks. “Babe, your little face is just so cute.”
Louis’s eyes widened in horror. ‘Really? That ridiculous! Am I unrealistically round face? How do I look anything like that?”
“Sit still. Let Mommy take a picture,” Juliette said. She snapped a photo of his side profile, the soft curve of his round cheeks captured perfectly.
“See? Round face, right?” Juliette teased, her smile bright. “Look those lines, this little roundness. Mommy just wants to
take a bite.”
Louis was happy, and no matter what he looked like, it didn’t matter; what was most important to Juliette was that she found him cute.
Then Louis tilted his head back with a grin. “Mommy, kiss me!”
Juliette laughed, leaning down to plant a kiss on his cheek. The soft, warm feel of his skin filled her with satisfaction. The sound of the kiss seemed to stir Patrick. His brows twitched slightly, and he felt the cool towel on his forehead.
Deciding he’d “fainted” long enough, Patrick started to stir
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