Chapter 208

Marvin had always been afraid of water, but thanks to the many therapists his father had found for him, his phobia had almost completely subsided. He was even considering asking Stella to teach him how to swim in a few weeks.

Keen stood at the edge of the pool, staring at Marvin with a mix of emotions. Memories of Marvin purposely tripping and hurting himself to earn their mother's sympathy flashed through his mind. With a huff, Keen declared, “Anyone can play the victim! If you jump, I jump!” Let's see who Mom would rush to comfort!

Keen then leaped into the pool as well! But in his haste, he forgot one crucial thing—he could actually swim. He found himself standing awkwardly in the water, his earlier anger extinguished like a candle in the wind.

At that moment, Marvin's weak voice drew Stella's attention back to him. “Stella, I don’t feel so good.” Stella spoke soothingly, “Hang in there, Marvin. The ambulance is on its way.” Marvin clung tightly to Stella’s sleeve, his grip desperate. “Stella, don’t leave me, please? I’m scared.” Stella immediately wrapped her arms around him. “I won’t leave, sweetheart. I’ll stay right here with you.”

Marvin’s face relaxed for a moment before he fainted. Panic quickly spread across Stella’s features. Keen glared at Marvin, who was now unconscious in Stella’s arms. That little actor! Always playing the sympathy card. Keen was fuming, yet there wasn’t much he could do about Marvin’s antics. Frustrated by Marvin’s performance, Keen decided to feign unconsciousness as well. Who couldn’t play the weakling? If Marvin fainted, so would he.

Stella was startled when she saw Keen seemingly pass out! Despite knowing Keen could swim, she worried he might have hit something when he fell in. Caught between comforting Marvin and checking on Keen, Stella was understandably frazzled. Thankfully, Neville returned just then and took Marvin from Stella’s arms. Freed up, Stella rushed to Keen’s side. Once she confirmed Keen was just pretending and not actually hurt, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Soon, the ambulance arrived. At the hospital, Stella arrived with the ambulance to find Haynes already waiting for them. He wasn’t alone; Deanna and Callie O’Brien were with him. The moment Deanna saw Stella, she launched into a tirade, her eyes red with anger. “Stella, are you trying to kidnap my grandson?! Do you want me to call the police on you?!”

Stella lazily raised an eyebrow. “Go ahead, call them.” “Don’t think I won’t!” Deanna’s hands shook as she pulled out her phone, ready to dial. “Maybe a little time in jail will teach you a lesson!” Callie quickly intervened, trying to calm her mother down. “Mom, what are you doing? Stella maybe… Stella just wanted to spend some time with Keen.”

Deanna, still fuming, retorted, “If I don’t teach her a lesson, who knows what she’ll do next to corrupt my grandson!” Stella ignored Deanna’s outburst. Once out of the ambulance, she followed the doctors to get Keen and Marvin checked out. After making sure both boys were okay, a police officer approached her.

“Ms. Cameron, we received a report accusing you of attempting to abduct a child. We need you to come with us for questioning.”