Chapter 158
Stella let out a laugh that sounded like she’d just heard the punchline to a great joke. “He’s so fond of Rachel, he’s probably been hoping for our divorce, waiting for you to give him a new mom. Do you think…he’d stop us from splitting up?”
Haynes sighed deeply, his voice heavy with frustration. “Stella, could you please stop letting your imagination run wild all the time?”
“My imagination?” Stella smirked, turning her gaze to Keen. “Keen, why don’t you tell your dad, between Mom and Rachel, who do you like more?”
The mention of his parents divorcing threw Keen’s mind into chaos. Divorce? His mom and dad…breaking apart? It was a thought he’d never entertained. He always believed, no matter what, his mom would never leave him, never leave dad.
“Keen.” Stella’s voice pulled him back from his spiraling thoughts.
He stared blankly at Stella, confusion written all over his face, having missed the conversation between his parents.
Stella repeated her question, “Between me and Rachel, who do you prefer?”
Even though Keen was just a kid, he knew he should say he liked his mom more. But as he looked into his mom’s bright, clear eyes, the words stuck in his throat, refusing to come out.
“Is it such a tough question?” Stella asked, her voice laced with a light, teasing laugh.
Haynes stepped in front of Keen protectively. “Stella, why are you putting him on the spot like this?”
“Asking a question is putting him on the spot?” Stella’s voice was practically dripping with amusement. “Alright, I won’t put him on the spot. I’ll ask you instead. Haynes, between Rachel and me, who do you prefer?”
Haynes pursed his lips, ready to respond, but Stella interrupted him. “Don’t try to sidestep the issue by claiming I’m being unreasonable. I’ve heard that too many times. Haynes, if you’re a man, give me a straight answer.”
The room felt like it was holding its breath, the tension almost tangible.
Keen looked up at Haynes, his heart pounding in his chest.
He liked Rachel. She was gentler than his mom, and in his eyes, even more amazing. Especially when Rachel played the violin, she looked like a fairy, always smelling sweet.
Unlike his mom, who was always bare-faced, smelling of cooking or herbs.
Rachel didn’t scold him like his mom did, always telling him what not to eat or scolding him for staying up late. Rachel let him eat what he liked, took him to do fun things he couldn’t normally do because of his health. When he stayed up late, Rachel would just smile gently and ask if he was sure he was okay.
At times, when he fought with other kids at school, his mom would make him apologize, no matter what. But Rachel, no matter who was right or wrong, would always take his side, saying he did nothing wrong.
With Rachel, he felt a warmth he’d never known before. Whatever mistakes he made, he wasn’t scared, because Rachel always had his back.
Even when he got into a fight with a kid like Marvin, he wasn’t afraid of getting in trouble. He knew if Rachel pleaded with his dad, he’d be off the hook.
His mom, on the other hand, just stood there silently whenever dad scolded him, too afraid to speak up for him.
Rachel had many admirable qualities. It seemed only natural for someone to prefer her over his mom.
But if his dad liked Rachel more than his mom…was that normal?