Chapter 74
Keen couldn’t figure it out, but something about Marvin annoyed him. He glared at Marvin with intensity. “That’s because Mom is mean to Rachel!”
“I don’t believe it!” Marvin retorted, raising his voice. “Stella is the sweetest person. She would never be mean to anyone. It’s you all ganging up on her!” Marvin was on a roll. “Like just now, Rachel fell, and you blamed Stella for pushing her! Stella is the best mom ever!”
Keen’s eyes began to sting with tears. Stella, who usually doted on him, was fussing over Marvin, leaving Keen feeling like a boy with his toy snatched away.
“She’s my mom, not yours!” Keen shouted, his voice cracking.
Marvin stood his ground. “But you’ve never treated Stella like a mom. You act like she’s the nanny!”
Suddenly, Marvin stepped before Stella protectively. “From now on, I won’t let anyone bully Stella!”
Even a child could see it – her son seemed closer to another woman. Could there be anything more hurtful?
Keen’s mouth opened, but no words came out.
Watching the two boys argue, Haynes felt a simmering irritation. He asked coldly, “Whose child is this?”
“My son,” Neville grinned. “I heard Ms. Cameron’s credit card got frozen, and she’s short on cash. As I’m busy with work, I asked her to help with childcare.”
Haynes’ lips thinned in displeasure. “Stella, you’d rather care for someone else’s kid than look after Keen? When was the last time you were home?”
Keen couldn’t help but feel a pang of hurt. Yeah, why hadn’t Mom been around?
Neville chuckled, “Maybe it’s because looking after someone else’s child earns her some appreciation and money, while taking care of her kid gets her no respect, only treated like a nanny.”
His eyes flicked between Keen and Haynes. “If you don’t see her as a wife or a mother and don’t fulfill your roles as husband and son, why expect her to be the perfect wife and mom?”
Stella’s eyes brimmed with tears, and sadness washed over her. Whenever it came to Rachel, Haynes and Keen would criticize her. Neville’s words struck a chord, making her heart swell with emotion.
As Stella turned to Neville with gratitude in her eyes, Haynes’ expression darkened, a mix of anger and something unreadable flickering across his face.
His voice was as cold as winter rain. “Our family matters are none of your business, Neville.”
Surprised, Neville responded, “If it’s a family matter, why is Ms. Pearce allowed to meddle? Unless… she’s part of your family, too?”
Haynes’ expression hardened. Ignoring Neville, he turned to Stella. “Come home with me. Keen needs you.”
Stella’s voice was cold and steady. “I already told you. I’m not coming back.”
She took Marvin’s hand. “Let’s go get that wound cleaned up.”
“Okay,” Marvin nodded obediently.
As they were about to leave, Keen darted before them, his little face determined. “You can’t go!”
Stella looked down at the child she had raised. She often wondered if she had spoiled him.
Was she trying to be a good mother, or was she imposing her idea of ‘good’ on him? Why did he gravitate toward Rachel among all people?
Stella’s gaze was calm. “Are you going to apologize to Marvin for pushing him earlier?”