Chapter 119

Stella said coolly, “What kind of kid he is depends on what he has done.”

Haynes’s voice was thick with disapproval. “No matter what he’s done, he’s still your son. Stella, don’t you plan to acknowledge him?”

“It’s not me who doesn’t want to acknowledge him,” Stella replied with a blank expression. “To him, I’m just an embarrassing mom. Maybe he’s better off without me.”

“So, you’re just going to keep taking care of this scheming little kid?”

Stella’s face darkened. “Haynes, I won’t let you talk about Marvin like that. He’s only five years old; how could he be scheming? But you…”

A cold smile played on Stella’s lips. “You’d rather believe a five-year-old is cunning than think your beloved Rachel is anything less than perfect.”

“Haynes, that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all year.”

Haynes frowned. “We’re talking about Keen, why bring up Rachel?”

“Didn’t you say my relationship with Keen is strained because of Marvin? I think it’s because of Rachel. Is there a problem?”

“If just mentioning Rachel’s name sets you off, Mr. O’Brien, I don’t see a point in continuing this conversation.”

Stella was really done wasting words on someone like him. She turned to Marvin. “Marvin, let’s go.”

With that, she ignored the others, turned on her heel, and left. After all that drama, it was already lunchtime. Stella took Marvin to a well-reviewed nearby diner.

“Marvin, I’m sorry,” she apologized to him. “I didn’t mean for you to get caught up in all this.”

Marvin shook his head, trying to be mature. “I’m not upset.”

He hesitated, then said, “Actually, Keen doesn’t care as little as he says he does about you. If he really didn’t care, he wouldn’t feel like I’ve taken his mom.”

Stella looked into Marvin’s eyes, saying, “Marvin, even now you’re willing to speak for him?”

“I just think Keen isn’t that bad.” Marvin suddenly grabbed Stella’s hand. “Stella, let’s just drop it, okay? Please don’t be mad at Keen. And…” He glanced around, innocent as ever, “Let’s not tell Dad about this, alright?”

Stella was taken aback. “But your injury…”

“I’ll be fine in a couple of days—barely even stings now. And Dad’s always drilling into me that real men tough it out. If I go crying to him over every little scrape, he’ll just think I’m soft.” Marvin blinked eagerly. “Stella, I don’t want Dad to think I’m weak. Can we keep this a secret?”

Stella was flooded with guilt. Marvin was still a child and couldn’t hide his feelings like an adult. Stella could tell Marvin was lying. He was just trying to make things easier for her.

Stella’s heart was warmed yet burdened with guilt. Even if Marvin was mature for his age, she couldn’t help but be partial to Keen over Marvin.

At that moment, she understood why, when Rachel did something wrong, Haynes and Keen were quick to defend her. The scales were just tipped differently!

Stella called over the waitress and ordered a kid’s meal for Marvin and herself. Marvin’s health wasn’t exactly robust, but compared to Keen, he had it easy—at least he could eat most foods without worrying.

Keen, who had just arrived at the diner, watched from afar, feeling a pang of resentment as he saw Stella sharing a milkshake with Marvin. Rachel, noticing Keen’s gaze, followed his line of sight and saw Stella enjoying the milkshake with Marvin.