"You''re Keen''s mother, so I''d rather not take extreme measures. But push me, and I won''t care about our history anymore."


    Ste watched as Haynes'' face darkened, but rather than seeming scared or upset, she simply smiled.


    "You see, just mentioning Rachel gets you all riled up, doesn''t it? Haynes, you can''t have your cake and eat it too."


    "If you don''t want a divorce, fine. But from now on, you can''t see or contact Rachel ever again, even if..."


    She paused, her red lips parting slightly, "Even if she dies, you can''t be there." Haynes'' dark eyes narrowed, a cold fury swirling within them.


    "Ste, do you really have to fight me on this?"


    Ste''s tone was calm, "I guess Mr. O''Brien isn''t willing to agree. In that case, we''ll see how it goes."


    She stepped around him and walked away.


    This time, Haynes didn''t stop her.


    ...


    Ste stopped concerning herself with Keen''s hospital visit, and Haynes didn''t call her anymore either.


    About a weekter, when Marvin got home from school, he told Ste, "Ste, Keen came to school today. Mr. O''Brien and that meandy brought him."


    Ste paused momentarily in her cooking.


    She used to suggest picking Keen up together-little surprises. Haynes always shut her down with the same line: "Not now. You go."


    Since Keen started kindergarten, Haynes hadn''t joined her even once.


    Now, he was going with Rachel all the time.


    It wasn''t that he didn''t have time; it was that she wasn''t the right person.


    Lately, she hadn''t been picking Marvin up from school, trying to avoid seeing Haynes, Keen, and Rachel together.


    She feared Marvin might be upset, so she tested the waters by suggesting they take a break from the school runs.


    Marvin agreed without any fuss, understanding as always. "Ste, I can just have the driver take me. You''ve got piano practice and you take care of me, it''s too much. Make sure you get some rest."


    Marvin''s thoughtfulness often made Ste wish he were her own son.


    "Ste." Marvin approached her, hesitating but with a hopeful look. "This weekend, there''s a talent show at the kindergarten... Dad''s away on business, probably won''t make it... Could youe with me?"


    Ste looked down at him, "What kind of talent show?"


    "The teacher said it''s for kids and parents to perform together, like ying piano, singing, or dancing." Marvin looked at her with big, hopeful eyes. "I didn''t participatest time, and there weren''t any points for the parent-child activities. If I don''t join this time..."


    Marvin hung his head and continued, "Pretty sure I''ll be deadst in the rankings this term."


    This fancy kindergarten wasn''t like regr ones where kids just yed and enjoyed their childhood. These were future heirs to big families, expected to excel from an early age, with a packed curriculum. The kindergarten often heldpetitions to encourage kids topete and improve.


    Marvin had just transferred not long ago, so missing out before wasn''t a big deal. But if he skipped again, he''d likely fall to the bottom. No kid wants to best.


    Ste looked at Marvin, his head hung low, and gently patted his head, her voice soft.


    "In that case, let''s go and participate."