Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Patrick had just begun to stir when Juliette’s phone rang
Seeing the caller ID, her smile froze. Juliene gently helped Louis sit properly on the couch, then stepped into a corner to
take the call.
“Ms. Vaughn, I’ve expedited the results for you. Should I tell you over the phone, or would you prefer we meet in person? Asher’s voice came through the line.
At that moment, everything felt surreal to Juliette. She glanced toward the living room.
Louis was kneeling on the couch, holding onto the backrest, his big eyes fixed on her, waiting for her to return.
Before the call, her time with Louis had felt almost natural, as though they were truly mother and son
Meanwhile, Patrick had also sat up, his sharp gaze resting on her. His eyes seemed to silently ask if something troublesome had come up.
And it had. Juliette felt a kind of tightness in her chest, her breath hitching slightly.
It hit her then–Juliette wasn’t ready for this. Not yet.
“Not right now,” Juliette finally replied after a long pause. Tll come to the hospital tomorrow morning. Hand me the results then, and don’t say anything else.”
“Yes, Ms. Vaughn. I’ll be waiting for you in my office at 10 am, Asher responded politely.
The call ended, and Juliette realized her palm was damp with sweat.
Then Juliette’s eyes returned to Louis. His delicate, fair face was so strikingly similar to Patrick’s. And yet, the shape of his eyes… they mirrored hers.
Juliette thought back to that day by the lake at the Vaughn estate. The moment Louis saw her, he had immediately called her “Mom Was this what people meant by blood ties?
All that remained was a piece of paper to confirm it.
“Do you need any help?” Patrick’s low voice came as he approached her, his piercing gaze searching hers.
Juliette lifted her head and met his eyes. “Where is Louis’s mother?”
The moment the words left her lips, Juliette realized it was impulsive
But Juliette didn’t regret it. Her eyes stayed on him, watching closely for any reaction.
Yet Patrick remained silent, his expression unreadable. That only made Juliette more uncertain.
Still, Juliette caught it–the faintest shift in his demeanor, his expression darkening just slightly.
It was enough to tell Juliette she’d crossed a line, pushed against a boundary she had no business testing.
“I didn’t mean to offend you. Please don’t be upset, Mr. Clarke, Juliette added quickly. Tm just curious. Louis seems to really want a mother. Why isn’t his mother with him?”
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Chapter 31
Patrick kept his eyes on her, his gaze heavy with unspoken thoughts.
For a long time, he said nothing. Then Patric asked. “Now that your curiosity is satisfied, what’s next?”
“What?” Juliette blinked, caught off guard.
Patrick stepped closer. Juliette instinctively moved back, only to find herself pressed against the wall.
The next moment, Patrick’s tall, lean frame loomed over her, and the warmth radiating from him seemed to fill the entire space, leaving her nowhere to escape.
“Ms. Vaughn, Patrick said, his voice low and rough, yet commanding, “you want to know about Louis’s mother. Should I take that to mean you’re ready to understand our family’s situation?
“And if so, are you prepared to become Louis’s mother? Or my wife?”
Patrick’s words were like a slow burn, deliberate and confident, his voice laced with an intensity that was impossible to ignore. It was dangerous–hypnotizing.
Juliette’s heart skipped a beat. There was something overwhelmingly magnetic about Patrick, about the way he looked at her, the way he spoke.
Juliette hated it. Hated how Patric made her feel like she was losing control.
I came back to take revenge, not to fall in love, Juliette reminded herself fiercely.
Regaining her composure, Juliette smiled–soft, yet tinged with playfulness. She asked, “What’s the matter?
“No one else wants to be Mrs. Clarke or Louis’s mom? Is that why you’re settling for me?”
Patrick froze for a moment, his brows knitting together. Just as he opened his mouth to respond, Juliette placed a hand over
- it.
Instantly, Patrick stiffened. Her fingers were soft and cool, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance that stirred something buried deep in his memory.
But Patrick couldn’t place it–it was like chasing fog, vanishing the moment he got close.
“Don’t confirm or deny it, Mr. Clarke, Juliette said, her smile unwavering. “I already have a fiancé, remember?”
With that, Juliette removed her hand, stepping back. And Patrick closed his eyes briefly, willing himself to stay composed.
Patrick hated this–hated the way she made him feel. It reminded him too much of his father, a man who had chased after countless women, never content with just one.
Patrick prided himself on being different. Yet now, faced with Juliette, the desire to possess her, completely and utterly, was nearly overpowering.
“Is this the blood 1 inherited from him?’ Patrick thought bitterly, anger rising within–him.
When Patrick opened his eyes again, the storm in them had been replaced with icy calm.
“Louis, Patrick called, his tone firm. “It’s time for bed. Go wash up.”
Louis pouted, reluctant to leave. He glanced at Juliette, hoping for an excuse to stay longer.
Wed,
Chapter 31
Juliette ruffled his hair gently, saying, “Listen to your dad, okay? You have to wake up early for school tomorrow.”
Her touch seemed to pacify Louis. He nodded obediently and ran off to get ready for bed.
“I assume the Vaughn house is going to be chaotic tonight,” Patrick said. “You’re welcome to stay here. It’ll save you from all the noise.”
Hearing this, Juliette caught the shift in his tone–detached, formal. She frowned slightly but exhaled slowly.
Maybe this is for the best, Juliette thought. “Distance is safer. Necessary. Tonight, let’s just consider it me temporarily escaping the noise of the Vaughn family.
Later that night, Patrick sat alone in his study, dressed in a dark silk robe. On his laptop screen, an article titled “How to Treat Sleepwalking” was open.
The page detailed possible causes–stress, emotional trauma–and treatment options, from therapy to medication.
Patrick tapped his fingers against the desk. It was clear Juliette didn’t know about her sleepwalking.
So Patrick needed to tell her. Therapy seemed preferable, but if that didn’t work, medication might be the only solution.
“Daddy! Something’s wrong!” Louis exclaimed.
Patrick shot up instantly and rushed out of the study. When he reached the bedroom, he found Louis standing there in his pajamas, his hair a tousled mess, his face pale.
“Did you have a bad dream?” Patrick asked, his brow furrowed.
“No, not me… Mommy,” Louis stammered.
Patrick’s frown deepened. ‘Is Juliette’s sleepwalking severe enough to wake Louis? But why haven’t I heard anything” Louis grabbed his hand, pulling him downstairs. When Patrick saw Juliette, his chest tightened, his breath catching painfully.
AD
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