The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 357

Stella had started to notice something troubling: new scrapes and bruises kept appearing on Marvin lately.

Whenever she asked Marvin about them, he'd brush it off-sometimes claiming he'd just bumped into something, other times saying he got hurt during gym class.

But to Stella, the explanations didn't quite add up.

One morning, after Marvin had gone off to preschool, Stella brought it up with Abby over coffee.

Abby's first reaction was instinctive. "You don't think he's getting into fights with other kids, do you?"

Stella frowned. "Marvin's always so well-behaved at school. Even his teachers can't say enough good things about him. I really don't think he's the fighting type."

"True," Abby agreed. "He doesn't seem like the sort. Did you ask his teachers? What did they say?"

"I did. They said they haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary with Marvin lately."

Abby shook her head. "That's strange. You should check him over tonight when he bathes. See if he has any fresh bruises."

Stella sighed. “He insists he's a big boy now and doesn't need anyone helping him wash up anymore."

two of them puzzled over the mystery. Whatever was going on, Stella resolved to have a serious

actually went home

several days, he

home, he'd always call or ask to come back after just one night.

in: Could Marvin's injuries... be Neville's

couldn't help but pick up the

his deep, smooth voice

"Star?"

hesitated for a moment. "Mr. Connolly, you haven't been away on business lately, have

I'm at the Neo-Vespera Hotel these days," Neville replied with a small laugh. "Why?

quickly. "I just wanted to ask about

surprised. "I thought he's been staying with you this whole

for several days now. You didn't

at the hotel since it's closer. The kid never told

assumed Marvin returned home because Neville was there.

come back here for four or five days. I thought he

tone grew serious. "Don't panic. Let me call the house and