The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 9

Stella turned her head to see Keen trailing behind Haynes. Although he was talking to Stella, his worried gaze was on Rachel.

In the past, any slight problem with Rachel would send Haynes and Keen into a tizzy.

One time, all four of them went to the park. No one knew if Rachel got sunstroke or if one of her sudden illnesses acted up.

Whatever it was, Rachel suddenly looked like she was about to faint. Haynes and Keen rushed to her side. Haynes, in his panic, even knocked her down.

Oddly, no one seemed to notice. The irony was that when Haynes saw her bandaged hand, he asked her how she got hurt.

A weak voice snapped Stella out of her thoughts.

at Keen, tears slipping

"But I saw, with my own eyes, Mom pushed

taught me to admit my mistakes. You're an adult. You won't

gone to great lengths to ensure Keen's health, but she

Keen had mastered three languages, his eloquence unmatched. Even at such a young age, he could often leave adults at a loss for words.

the tables on her for

an adult and Keen's mother, Stella knew she had to set an example. How could she ask her child to do something she couldn't do? If she went back on her word, how could she continue to

at the two figures, large and small, gathered around Rachel. Suddenly, she felt like they were more of a family than she was with them. Even though she'd long since given up

Keen's eyes. "You're right. I did tell

word, "I didn't make a

the past, Stella would have compromised for Keen. But

instinctively replied, "I