Chatper 307


    Chapter 307


    She delicately held the cupcake in her hand, its frosting artfully swirled and topped with a fresh


    strawberry. Her fingers contrasted with the vibrant sweetness, and her softly curled hair was gathered


    into a low bun, with a few tendrils caressing her ears, adorned with pale pink teardrop pearl earrings.


    She wore a thin, white knitted sweater with a delicate openwork pattern that, despite its loose fit,


    entuated her graceful figure. Her beauty was distinct, not the sultry kind that Adeline possessed


    with an almost aggressive allure, nor the austere elegance of a Julien. It was a clean, distinguished


    elegance that resonated with a unique quality.


    From another woman’s perspective, like Julie’s, her allure was undeniable, and her voice… it was the


    kind that soothed the soul.


    At that moment, Julie was leaning against Kieran’s back, looking at the screen that disyed the


    woman.


    Kieran, for his part, didn’t expect Julie to be there at that moment, let alone to be leaning so


    affectionately against him. So when he turned his head, his expression was one of mild surprise.


    Julie, who had been resting on Kieran’s back, slowly let go of his shoulder. Kieran was about to exin


    when Julie, with a smile, took the phone from the screen and, still smiling, said, “What a pretty


    cupcake. Maybe you could make one for me when you get back?”


    Kieran was at a loss for words.


    The woman, hearing Julie’s voice, looked up, clearly not expecting to see her suddenly, and after a


    moment’s pause, she smiled and nodded, “If you don’t mind.”


    Julieughed while holding the phone, “Mind? With such a gorgeous cupcake and a beautifuldy, how


    could I?”


    She then moved in front of Kieran, yfully sitting on hisp, her arm around his shoulder and the


    phone in her other hand. The screen now showed both Kieran and Julie.


    Julie turned to Kieran with a smile and said, “What do you think, Mr. Hernandez?”


    It seemed to be the first time Mrs. Hernandez had taken such an initiative, and at that moment, Mr.


    Hernandez was still pleasantly shocked by his wife. When Julie turned to look at him, he was staring at


    her, seemingly lost in thought and not responding. Julie prodded him, “Aren’t you going to introduce


    me?”


    The background of the video call and the intimacy of their conversation suggested that this wasn’t their


    first chat, and they must have been quite familiar with each other for a while.


    Hence Julie’s question to Kieran.


    But before Kieran could answer, she chuckled and said, “You must be Joyce, right?”


    With the memory of Annalise Hansen fresh in her mind, Julie took another look at her, half expecting


    another twist like Kieran having an aunt she didn’t know. But confirming no resemnce to Annalise,


    Julie nodded, a bit stiffly, “And you are?”


    “I’m sorry to meet you like this,” she said with a timid smile, “I think Kieran should have told you about


    me sooner, but we didn’t want to burden you, so! didn’t introduce myself.”


    Julie gave Kieran a deep look. His expression was meaningful as he gazed at the phone screen. She


    found the W


    heard it somewhere before.


    voice oddly familiar, as if she had


    Maintaining herposure, Julie prompted the woman on the other side of the call, “It’s not toote to


    introduce yourself now.”


    “Before I lose my temper with Kieran!” She thought.


    But that woman hesitated, then with a shy nod, said softly, “Perhaps you should tell her, Kieran.”


    “Perhaps you should!” Julie’s gaze at Kieran was sharp enough to slice. Her patience was wearing thin.


    Kieran tenderly ruffled Julie’s hair as if she were a little lioness showing her ws.


    Pointing on the screen, he said, “Silly, this is Cami Stewart, Bertha Stewart’s sister.”


    Julie was stunned for a good ten seconds before she finally found her voice, “Cami?”


    It was then Cami lifted her head and beamed at Julie, “Did you think your husband had another


    woman on the side?”


    Well, she almost went nuclear on Kieran!


    It wasn’t until Cami say some words that Julie realized why the voice seemed familiar. She had


    overheard Kieran and Cami on a video call before she and Kieran had reconciled, making Cami’s


    voice recognizable to her.


    So, she was Bertha’s sister… Julie’s expression turned to one of mild embarrassment.


    Suddenly, a little head popped into view on the screen. A tuft of hair belonging to a little one trying to


    snatch the cupcake.


    Cami handed the treat to the child and pointed at the screen, “Phoebe, say hello to your uncle.”


    The child, Phoebe Hernandez, looked back at the camera. She was the spitting image of Lucián, from


    the shape of her face to her mouth and even her ears-just like a miniature version of him, except for


    those eyes. Clear and luminous, her beautiful big eyes seemed to hold gxies within them,


    reminiscent of Bertha’s.


    Cami and Bertha didn’t look much alike, but their mannerisms and speech could seem simr at


    times. Bertha was elegant and graceful. Cami, on the other hand, was easy-going and gentle.


    Phoebe, despite turning around, was just staring nkly at the cupcake in her hand, silent and


    expressionless.


    Cami frowned slightly and gently patted Phoebe’s shoulder, “Sweetie, why don’t you go sit on the


    couch and enjoy your cupcake?”


    Later, a housekeeper came up and led Phoebe away.


    1/2


    09:55


    Chapter 307


    Cami’s expression turned somber as she spoke to Kieran on the other end of the video call, “Phoebe


    is still the same, no improvement. I’ve found a new doctor, and we’ll take her there tomorrow.”


    “Thank you for your efforts,” Kieran said, ending the video call.


    Only then did Julie turn to look at Kieran, “What’s wrong with Phoebe?”


    “Autism,” Kieran exined, holding Julie in his arms as if recalling a memory. “Last year, Cami took


    Phoebe to Britain for treatment, but it didn’t help,


    Julie had encountered a child with autism once, while she worked at a café.


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    Indifference to emotions, refusal tomunicate, dyed speech development, repetitive behavior,


    and a significant limitation in activities and


    interests.


    They have sight but often avoid eye contact, they havenguage but struggle tomunicate, they


    hear but seem to ignore, they act but often against your wishes… With no exnation at hand, they are


    called “children of the stars” – like the stars in the sky, each in their own world, shining on their own.


    “Phoebe is smart. She can speak multiplenguages, but never usesnguage tomunicate with


    others. Sometimes she locks herself in her room, talking to herself, and sometimes shemunicates


    with nts and animals, she draws. She’s different from most children with autism.”


    Julie’s expression grew somber with Kieran’s words, “Has it always been like this?”


    “Yes,” Kieran kissed Julie’s forehead before changing the subject. “Thought you’d be at the hospital,


    but you weren’t here when I arrived.”


    “Julien found Rankin’s grave, so… I went there,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and


    leaning on his shoulder. “I keep thinking about Davina. She said that I am responsible for Rankin’s


    death. I keep wondering why she would say that, but she never told me why before she died.”


    “Some answers don’t need to be pursued. When it’s time to know, you’ll know,” he said, bending down


    to scoop her up in his arms. “What do you feel like eating?”


    “Are you nning to carry me into the elevator like this?” sheughed, hugging his neck tighter. “Stop


    it, put me down.”


    Noblewood Retreat.


    As soon as they got home, Julie asked Shannon, “Shannon, how’s Amanda’s appetite today?”


    Ever since Amanda found out that Lucian, whose identity had finally been confirmed, had gone missing


    again, she had been anxious and had lost her appetite.


    Shannon wore a smile, telling Julie, “After Miss Julien brought Ms. Daphne over, thedy’s appetite has


    improved a lot. They’re in the room right now,ughing and having a good time.”


    Daphne… Julie smiled and gave Kieran a nce, then ran upstairs to Amanda’s room.


    The bedroom door was ajar, and inside, Amanda and Daphne were sitting on the couch talking with


    smiles. Daphne was more rxed, holding her phone ?and pointing at it as she said to Amanda,


    “Granny, check this out, isn’t thisment just nasty?”


    Amanda, peering over her reading sses, took a look and nodded in agreement, “It is nasty. How


    could someone write that? You should reply.”


    “How should I reply?” Daphne massaged her temples, looking a bit tired.


    After a moment’s thought, Amanda said, “It must be one of Lionel’s fans. Calling you a social parasite


    is one thing, but to speak ill of yourte parents, that’s just poor character.”


    Suddenly, Daphneughed, “What about this? How about I reply like this?”


    Amanda read the response and broke into a heartyugh, “Perfect, that’s a greateback!”


    It seemed that Daphne had been battling online trolls all afternoon… Julie approached, bemused, and


    asked, “You’ve been on your phone all afternoon, aren’t you tired?”


    Daphne turned around excitedly, “Come here, tell me what you think of my reply!”