Chapter 129
“Rachel, there’s no need to feel wronged about apologizing,” Stella said calmly.
But Rachel ignored Stella and turned her attention to Haynes, desperation in her voice. “Haynie, I didn’t, I really didn’t push him…”
Haynes was about to say something when Marvin’s young voice cut through the tension first.
“Stella, let it go. Don’t let this affect your relationship with Ms. Pearce or Mr. O’Brien,” Marvin said, his tone wise beyond his years. “I chose to help Keen. No matter how badly I got hurt, it’s nobody else’s fault.”Dad says helping people isn’t a transaction,” Marvin added, wiping dirt from his scraped palms. “If I get hurt doing it, that’s my choice. Doesn’t mean they owe me anything.”
“Rachel is an adult. It’s not common for adults to apologize to kids, is it?”
Coming from an innocent five-year-old, Marvin’s words had a sharp irony to them. Everyone in the room, apart from Marvin, was someone deeply connected to Keen. Rachel, especially, always acted like she had Keen’s best interests at heart. Yet, as Keen’s savior, Marvin was neither thanked nor apologized to by Rachel or Haynes, who seemed to side with her.
It was utterly absurd.
Even if Haynes wanted to take Rachel’s side, he couldn’t bully a child. After a brief silence, he finally spoke, “Rachel, just apologize to him.”
Rachel’s eyes widened in disbelief. If she chose to apologize on her own, that was one thing. But Haynes asking her to do it was entirely different.
Her eyes welled up with tears. “Haynie, I really didn’t…”
Haynes interrupted her, “Rachel, Marvin saved Keen’s life. For Keen’s sake, thanking him or apologizing is the least we can do.”
He looked at Rachel intently. “Are you really unwilling to say even a single word for Keen?”
Rachel’s mask nearly slipped-her jaw clenched before she could stop it. The weight of their stares felt eerily familiar. It was a tactic she often used herself.
Rachel glanced sharply at Marvin. This kid… was a sly one!
When Rachel turned her gaze on him, Marvin looked at her with wide, innocent eyes and said, “Stella, it’s really okay. I’m fine.”
Rachel finally understood how Stella felt—caught between indignation and frustration. She had been outsmarted by a five-year-old!
With a sigh, Rachel put on a contrite expression. “Marvin, I’m sorry. I was just so worried in the moment that I pushed you. Please don’t hold it against me.”
Marvin nodded understandingly. “I know Ms. Pearce didn’t mean it. I don’t hold it against her.”
Just then, the elevator chimed, and the doors slid open. Two figures hurriedly stepped out.
“How’s Keen? Is he alright?” Deanna and Callie rushed over, worry etched on their faces.
Callie had heard about Keen’s accident over the phone and immediately informed Deanna. Deanna came running, heart pounding with anxiety.
Haynes replied, “He’s still in surgery, but there’s no immediate danger to his life.”
Hearing this, Deanna let out a relieved breath. But when she turned and saw Stella sitting nearby, her expression turned icy.
She marched up to Stella and slapped her hard across the face. “How could you let this happen to Keen?!”