Faux Vows, True Desires

After the family reunion, lunch was served a hearty spread of roast beef, mashed potatoes, and green beans filled the dining room with the comforting aromas of a traditional Western meal.

As the last bites of apple pie were savored, Grandma and Grandpa announced they were tuckered out and headed upstairs for a nap.

"Come on, Lucy, let's go up," said Janice warmly as she took Lucinda's hand, guiding her away from the lingering relatives.

The grandparents' departure was the cue for everyone else to scatter. Janice, already bored with the small talk, eagerly led her daughter upstairs.

Not long after, Kayla and Ashley gathered their broods and retreated to their respective corners of the large family home.

Once inside her room, Ashley turned to her daughter, her voice a mix of curiosity and trepidation. “Erin, bring me those two jewelry boxes your grandma gave you, sweetheart."

Erin trotted over, her small arms clutching the ornate boxes with ease—a bad sign. What Grandma had given her might just be the boxes-empty promises.

Little Erin, still naïve in her youth, reveled in her triumph of having been favored by Grandma. She had always heard how her cousin Lucy, who had gone missing years ago, was the apple of Grandma's eye.

Now that Lucy had returned, Erin's status as the cherished princess of the Blue family felt threatened. She realized that not only her position but also the attention at fancy gatherings might shift towards her cousin, who was, after all, the legitimate daughter of the head of the family.

But don't be fooled by Erin's tender age of ten; in the Blue household, even the youngest had their wiles.

from Grandma, I'll ask for the same. I can't let her outshine me. I'm still Grandma's favorite granddaughter," Erin declared with a cute yet calculated smile, handing the boxes over to

just boxes-empty at that.

sighed, her intuition

they empty?" Erin's confusion was evident as her eyes widened in

the floor in frustration and gave Erin a pointed look. "Didn't you think to ask for the jewelry

from the sting of the lesson. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she realized that Grandma's affections might have

into an embrace. "It's alright, sweetheart. I'm not upset with you. But you have to be smarter, Erin. We

lecturing her own daughter, Judith, who

you see how Erin is on her toes now that Lucy is back? Yet you seem as impassive as a log. If you just asked, Grandma would show

and cool as a cucumber, lounged on the sofa. "Didn't you notice how easily Erin carried those boxes? Lucy's were heavy with actual

the realization. "Surely Grandma

for boxes, and that's exactly what she

cackled at the thought, her spirits lifted. "Let's pop over to Ashley's and see the show,” she said, eager to witness her sister-in-law's

gently refused her mother's impulsive plan. "Mom, with Aunt Janice and Lucy back, Ashley won't divorce Hayden that easily. Stick With Ashley is not wise to kick someone while they're down. You've burnt

husband are more cunning than they seem. Tread carefully," Judith advised before heading upstairs, her demeanor calm, her

Kayla muttered to herself, vexed

the wisdom in