The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 573

Stella stopped and turned to face Keen.

"Is something wrong?"

Her tone was calm, her expression unruffled. She wasn't especially warm, but she wasn't cold, either-just neutral.

Keen stood there, a little stunned.

Lately, Mom seemed different again.

A while back, her indifference had made him angry, left him feeling miserable and unwanted. Now, though, there was something else—something heavy and cold pressing on his chest, as if a stone were weighing him down.

Children are keenly perceptive. Keen could sense it: his mother didn't love or care for him the way she used to.

He blurted out, voice anxious, "Mom, about just now-it wasn't me who told Dad. I promise."

Stella just nodded lightly. "I know."

Her calmness washed over him like a bucket of cold water, dousing whatever hope or excitement he'd carried.

His eyes went red. "Mom, do you... not want me anymore?"

Stella looked at him and spoke, steady as ever. "No. Even if you live with your father, I'm still your mother. That won't change. I'll always have responsibilities toward you—nothing will take that away."

But her words didn't bring Keen any comfort.

He looked up at her, hesitated, then said softly, "Mom, I... I don't want to live with Dad. I want to stay with you."

Stella seemed surprised.

to stay at my

"No, I want to live with you. I want to be

was a

father and your grandma won't agree

earnest, hopeful. “But I talked to some other kids at school- they said when parents get divorced, we're allowed to choose who we want

stared at Stella, searching her face for a sign of

want to choose you,

down at him quietly. "But what about Rachel? If you live with me, you might not get to see

blinked, caught off guard.

because he couldn't. He wanted to

been good to him. She'd even risked her life to save him,

your father now. If you really want to live with me, you'll need to talk it over with him. I have to go.

she walked away, his lips quivering, sadness etched all over

the hospital room door opened again and

Keen's red eyes and his own softened,

mom think you were the one who told

asked. When I tried to explain, she didn't really say

up at his father. "Dad, do you think Mom really doesn't

course not.

would have risked her

moment, Keen

"Is Mom mad at me because she thinks I told you everything? Dad, could you explain things to

was that bad man who left

found out that Stella knew the kidnapper because a recorder with their conversation had been discovered in Lind's