Chapter 338
Stella Cameron smiled warmly. “What’s going on?”
Marvin Connolly replied, “It’s about Keen.”
At the mention of Keen O’Brien’s name, Stella’s smile faltered just a little, but she still asked, “What about him?”
Marvin hesitated. “Keen seems to have found out about your divorce from Mr. O’Brien. He’s pretty upset. He said he wants to talk to you and ask if you really don’t want him anymore.”
Stella said nothing.
Marvin continued, “Actually, I just noticed-Keen’s been following us all the way here. I think he’s waiting outside. Stella, why don’t we invite him in?”
Still, Stella remained silent.
Abby Murphy glanced at Stella’s expression, then broke into a cheerful grin. “Oh, it’s been ages since I’ve seen Keen. Honestly, I kind of miss the kid. I’ll go get him.”
Stella watched Abby’s retreating figure but didn’t make a move to stop her.
A few minutes later, Abby returned, holding Keen by the hand.
“Come on in, Keen. You can sit right here.”
She guided Keen to the seat on Stella’s left, while Marvin took the chair to Stella’s right.
Stella didn’t object.
Keen didn’t look much different from before, but he was noticeably quieter.
With his arrival, an awkward tension seemed to hang over the table.
Marvin broke the silence at just the right moment. “Keen, Stella’s treating us today. Order whatever you’d like-don’t be shy.”
Marvin’s self-appointed host act made something twist uncomfortably in Keen’s chest.
He stayed silent, his lips pressed into a pout.
Marvin noticed and asked, a little nervously, “Keen, what’s wrong? Did I say something to upset you?”
The scene felt achingly familiar. Keen suddenly remembered when the three of them-he, his mom, and Rachel-used to go out for meals. Rachel would always encourage his mom to order anything she wanted, telling her not to be shy, just like Marvin was now.
Back then, he’d thought Rachel was kind and considerate, always looking out for his mom.
But his mother never seemed to appreciate it—she always seemed to have something against Rachel.
And now, sitting in Rachel’s place, he found himself feeling deeply unhappy. Abby chimed in, “Keen, what’s wrong? Are you upset about something?” Usually, if he so much as frowned, his mom would be quick to ask what was wrong.
But this time, she didn’t even look his way. She just sipped her water in silence. A strange sense of disappointment washed over Keen. He shook his head. “I’m fine.”
Abby couldn’t quite figure out what was going through his mind, so she simply handed him the menu. “Here, Keen. Take a look—see if there’s anything you want to eat.”
Keen picked up the menu and ordered a dish he’d been liking lately.
Marvin’s face clouded over. “Keen, why are you ordering fried food? We’re still kids—you know you shouldn’t eat too much of that stuff.”
Keen had never really liked Marvin, and now, hearing that, his annoyance flared.
He shot Marvin a glare. “What I eat is my business. Mind your own!” Marvin shrank back a little, mumbling, “Sorry.”
Stella opened her mouth, as if to say something, but in the end, she stayed silent.
Instead, she reached over and gently patted Marvin’s head. “Don’t worry about what others are doing-just focus on yourself, okay?”
Reassured by her words, Marvin’s smile returned.
“Stella, I’ve been good about taking the herbal remedy you made for me lately. My hands and feet aren’t as cold anymore, either!”