Chapter 70
Jasper sneered, “Want to know if it was you? Just ask Rachel.”
Keen said, “Mom, I won’t forgive you if you don’t apologize to Rachel.”
In the past, Stella would have been in a panic, trying to soothe him. But she only glanced at him this time, not bothering to explain, and quickly looked away.
The change left Keen feeling uneasy. Recently, Stella had been acting strangely. But his grandma and Jasper assured him it was only a ploy to get attention from him and Dad, telling him not to fall for it.
With that in mind, Keen added, “Even if it’s for attention, Mom shouldn’t hurt Rachel. If you do it again, I won’t take you as my mom!”
Stella’s fists clenched instinctively, but her expression remained icy. “Do what you want.”
Keen was stunned. Was that her another tactic?
Just then, Rachel was wheeled out. Haynes and Keen immediately followed her to the hospital room, leaving Jasper behind, his gaze fixed coldly on Stella. “Stella, you need to take responsibility for what happened to Rachel. Don’t think you can get away with it.”
Inside the hospital room, Rachel had regained consciousness and was comforting Keen, whose eyes were red from crying.
“Keen, I’m okay now. I don’t know if I’ll get to play the violin for you again…” she said, a hint of worry crossing her face.
Mentioning the violin reminded Keen of Rachel playing in public, leaving the other kids in awe. “Keen’s mom is amazing, like a fairy, and his dad is handsome!” they had said.
She was unlike Stella, who Keen felt he couldn’t boast about to the other kids.
“Rachel, you’ll be fine,” Keen said with determination. “If Mom doesn’t apologize, I won’t acknowledge her.”
Just then, Stella walked in. Keen felt momentarily guilty, but Stella didn’t look at him. Her focus was on Rachel. “Ms. Pearce, feeling any better?”
“Nothing major,” Rachel replied with a nod. “Thank you, Ms. Cameron, for coming to see me.”
Rachel’s calm demeanor, free of resentment, irked Jasper. “Rachel, why are you being so nice to someone who tried to kill you?”
“Mr. Wilkinson, I’m not a murderer,” Stella smiled faintly. “If I were, Ms. Pearce wouldn’t be here doing just fine.”
Jasper’s voice rose in anger. “You pushed Rachel down the stairs! Isn’t that attempted murder?”
Stella glanced at Rachel’s bandaged head and said indifferently, “Jasper, you need evidence when you speak. I’ve made it clear that Ms. Pearce lost her footing and fell. I didn’t push her.”
“Stella, you’re twisting the truth!” Jasper retorted, turning to Haynes, who had remained silent. “Haynie, don’t you want to stand up for Rachel?”
Haynes looked at Rachel and asked, “How do you want to handle this?”
Rachel’s face was pale as she replied softly, “As long as my hand is okay, let’s let it go, alright?”