Sweet Subterfuge

Thanks to Ruby, Larissa’s vacation was extended indefinitely. Fortunately, Kevan never brought Ruby back again.

Larissa did not like sitting idle. Being cooped up at home at day, she had nothing to de except watch TV and play with her phone, which made her extremely restless.

Thankfully, Welet was kind enough to bring Larissa downstairs for a walk occasionally when the weather allowed it instead of allowing her to suffocate at home.

On a particular day. Violet took her to the park downstars after lunch. The park was filled with elderly people who had taken their children out for some test air. There was hardly anyone Larissa’s age.

As they cher ran into each other Violet had become acquainted with them and would chat with them when they sat together.

“Is she your daughter?” asked a woman next to Violet pointing at Larissa.

Grinning. Violet answered, “She’s my daughter–in–law, as dear to me as my daughter,”

Her words brought Larissa more warmth than the sunlight did.

nodding as she continued to make

minutes later, a little girl in a pink jacket rushed over to the

a thermos and handed it to her, reminding her. “It’s

drinking the water, the little girl rushed off, swift as the wind, retuming to her friends to climb a structure in the center of the park.

she safely reached the top,

asked. “You’re taking

care of the child. Although we hired a nanny at home, you know, recently there have been news reports about rannies abusing children! So. I must take care of her. However, since she’s mostly at preschool from Monday to Friday where teachers would look after her, it’s only on weekends that

Violet nodded her head, looking at the children playing and trollicking not far away, full of my and longing. “It must be

waved her hand. “It’s too rowdy! Let me tell you, this one in our family has boundless energy. She wreaks havoc at home all day long! If her parents arent at home, she can play until 11 or 12 pm before going

was playing with a gare full of adoration. “When she goes to kindergarten on weekdays, something feels missing at home. I feel particularly

lips, sneakily glancing at Larissa without saying a word.

and daughter–in–law haven’t

right violet smiled. “They just got maried, it’s not time for them to have a child yel.”