Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 31

In the car, the little boy, who had just been picked up from school, sat rather ungracefully on the child safety seat in the back.

Kieran, beside him, looked at the boy’s test paper, took a deep breath, and turned to ask, “Ivan Hernandez, spill it, how did you do on your test?”

“I got an “E.” Ivan, seated proudly in his car seat, announced his test score.

Karl, riding shotgun, struggled to contain his laughter.

One thing Karl had learned from the little boy was that there was always someone out there who could do better.

Kieran’s serious gaze was fixed on Ivan, this little boy looked just like him except for his mouth and his attitude.

You came in last in the class; have you got any self–respect left? Tell me, how did you manage to get an ‘E‘?” Kieran asked, resisting the urge to chuck the little boy out of the car.

Ivan pouted and then broke into a grin, saying, “I got one multiple–choice question right; that’s how I got an ‘E.”

the test paper again and saw the answer spaces, all

written on the whole test paper was the one multiple–choice question

looked at the test paper, and although he was pissed, his anger faded after a moment. After

this stunt.

at the little boy beside him, he pointed to the words ‘not a human‘ on the paper

nannies, don’t you ever look

Kieran a contemptuous look

boy. “What’s wrong with the nannies? Don’t they meet your aesthetic

a meaningful look at Karl.

tried hiring nannies, from teenagers to women in their fifties, for the little boy, but none were suitable. How was that his fault? Suddenly, Ivan unbuckled his seat belt, looked seriously at Kieran, and said, “Kerry, I’m only five! You should be finding me a stepmother, not a nanny! My teacher said children with mothers are treasures, and children without mothers are grass. Are you planning to feed me to the pigs

Kieran was speechless.

Ivan licked his lips nervously and quickly buckled

habitually pulled out a cigarette and thought of lighting

the little boy next to him, he decided to put

was silent, Ivan tried to appease him, “Kerry, smoke! I’m afraid if you don’t smoke, you might start hitting me. So, please smoke!” Kieran tossed the cigarette into