Chapter 136
“Rachel,” said defensively, “I didn’t mean to, I rarely cook, honestly… I thought it was just to add some flavor…”
Stella wasn’t interested in Rachel’s explanation. She turned her attention to Haynes instead.
“And what do you have to say for yourself now?”
Haynes moved his thin lips slightly, “Rachel might genuinely not know about these things.”
Stella let out a sarcastic laugh before turning to Keen.
“And you?”
Keen whispered, “Rachel probably didn’t do it on purpose…”
Stella nodded, “Alright, if you all think it wasn’t intentional, then so be it.”
With a slow exhale, she released the urge to intervene some battles weren’t hers to fight. A sharp turn, and she walked away.
Haynes frowned and asked, “Stella, where are you going?”
Stella replied coolly, “I’ve been up all night, obviously I’m going to rest. Does Mr. O’Brien really expect me to be at his beck and call day and night?”
“Alright, go take a break then,” Haynes’ expression softened a bit. “Keen needs to stay in the hospital for about a week. Come back in the evening.”
Stella’s voice was flat, as if commenting on the weather. “Keen would rather be with Ms. Pearce anyway. Might as well let her.”
Haynes, not pleased, retorted, “You’re Keen’s mother. Are you really going to leave someone else to take care of him?”
“And you’re Keen’s father,” Stella shot back. “Why don’t you stay with him? Don’t use the word ‘mother’ to guilt-trip me only when it suits you.”
“When something happens to the kid, everyone comes running to ask why I didn’t take care of him properly.”
“People who’ve never spent a day looking after him questioning the person who does it every day, really?”
Stella’s cold gaze swept over Keen and Rachel.
“If you think Rachel is so great, let her take care of you then. See if she’s willing to stay here day after day.”
“And Ms. Pearce, stop with the lip service. You ought to put your money where your mouth is. If you’re so fond of Keen, there should be no problem with you taking care of him while he’s in the hospital, right?”
“Lastly, I wish the three of you the best. Lock it down and don’t let your drama spill into the world to harm more innocent people.” With that, Stella ignored them and walked out without looking back.
“Stella, what do you mean by that?” Haynes’ face darkened as he followed her out.
After Stella and Haynes left, the room was silent with just Rachel and Keen remaining.
Keen stared blankly in the direction Stella had gone, his little face looking pale.
Rachel waited until the sound of footsteps faded, then spoke softly, “Keen, when did you wake up? What did your mom ask you?”
Keen snapped back to the present, “I just woke up a little while ago. Mom asked me how I had the allergic reaction. Oh, and she also asked about the spray in my pocket.”
Rachel studied Keen’s expression, “And what did you tell her?”
“I didn’t get a chance to answer before you came in.”
Rachel breathed a slight sigh of relief, but soon wore a worried expression. “Keen, I’m sorry, I gave you too much of what you shouldn’t have had. Your mom says I almost harmed you, so please… avoid those foods from now on.”
Keen, being at an age where snacks were a treasure, grew anxious at Rachel’s words.
“Rachel, don’t listen to Mom. Didn’t you say that it was because mom ate all sorts of things she shouldn’t have when she was pregnant with me? That’s why I’m not healthy… She’s the one who caused it!”