Sweet Subterfuge novel by Trina Duo
Chapter 396

Larissa was stunned, but she also felt guilty. She and Wendy had been best friends for a long time, but Larissa had never seriously paid much attention to Wendy's love life. No doubt, she had no idea that Wendy had planned such a future for herself.

"Back then, I gave up my high-paying job and went overseas to study without turning back because I wanted to escape the pressure of my parents rushing me to marry every year." Wendy gave a self- deprecating laugh and said, "They can argue about anything, but studies are the only thing they can agree on." Wendy was a Covenford local and studied at a local university, but she never went home on weekends. During summer break every year, she would be the last person to leave the dormitory and the first person to return.

Larissa had asked her out of curiosity before and found out that Wendy's parents had divorced when she was in high school. Each of them had formed a new family and had new children of their own. Larissa guessed that Wendy's decision to remain unmarried was likely strongly influenced by her family background.

"I made up my mind a long time ago that I would be a spinster. You know how well I live alone too, but I still can't fight my traditionalist thoughts of wanting a child to take care of me when I grow old and take my inheritance. If the child is yours, then that makes it even better," said Wendy.

Larissa's decision swayed for a moment, but her rationale still won. "You must bear in mind that this baby's father could possibly be a despicable rapist ..."

"But its mother is my best friend and a very outstanding person. I believe in your genes and in myself. I won't let the child go astray," said Wendy solemnly while holding Larissa's hand.

"You..." Larissa hung her head and said softly, "Give me a few days to think it over." Wendy didn't push her and said, "Okay, think about it carefully." When they got into the car, Wendy said, "Oh, by the way, Barbara asked me to tell you after you left that you might run into a long-lost close relative or friend in recent days. That person will be your lucky star, so you must appreciate them."

"Bullshit!" Larissa felt even more certain that Barbara was a scammer. "How could I have any long-lost friends or relatives?"

"Tut, 'long-lost' are just my own words! What she means is that you guys haven't met in many years and haven't been keeping in contact," explained Wendy.

"I don't have anyone like that either," said Larissa firmly. If she had to think of someone she had lost contact with for a very long time, it would be her father, whom she had never met. But there was no way he could be her lucky star! He was more like a bane!

Very quickly, Larissa started studying the language. She still had a grasp of the basics and an average knowledge of its vocabulary, but her biggest problem was she couldn't speak it fluently. Wendy often invited her classmates and friends over to the house so that Larissa could communicate with them more and improve her language skills.

One week passed in the blink of an eye, and a call came from the hospital asking Larissa to go for a checkup. Larissa glanced at Wendy, who was watching over her from the side and felt a little hesitant. "Okay, I got it," said Larissa. After she hung up, Wendy asked, "Have you decided whether you'll keep the child?"

While studying during this period, Larissa kept thinking about this question. It consumed her thoughts so much that she began having vivid dreams every night. In these dreams, she would envision a plump little boy hugging her legs and calling her "mommy." His voice was crisp and pleasant. Larissa would dash forward in fear, but the boy would chase her on all fours and catch up to her effortlessly. Then, he would look up at her and ask miserably, "Mommy, are you abandoning me?" Looking into his eyes that gleamed with tears, she would slowly lose the courage to nod.

"You really want the child?" she asked Wendy. Wendy answered without hesitation, "Very much." Larissa gritted her teeth and said, "Then I'll give birth." That night, she dreamt about the little boy again. He snuggled down in her arms and laughed joyfully.