"Keen, I''m really sorry. I''m heading for a full check-up and can''t stay with you today. But I''ll be back tomorrow, okay?"


    "Hey Keen, sorry again. I really want to keep youpany, but you know how your mom feels about me. If she sees me here, she might note to visit at all..."


    Keen''s grandmother and aunt had visited briefly, but the hospital''s difort drove them away after just two days - never to return. His father? Buried in work, then conveniently called away on ''urgent business.''


    In the end, it was Zoey and Maisie from home who took turns looking after him at the hospital.


    And his mother... Not a single visit since that day. Not even a phone call to pretend she cared.


    Rachel exined that his mom disliked her, and because Keen spent so much time with Rachel, his mom decided not to visit him.


    Deep down, Keen knew his mom was upset because he had eaten something he shouldn''t have. It was just a little bit, why was she so petty? It was an allergic reaction, just an ident. His mom''s change in attitude left Keen feeling angry. Just then, his kindergarten teacher''s voice interrupted his thoughts.


    "Has everyone got their performance sheets ready?"


    The kids responded in unison, "Yes, we''re ready!"


    The teacher continued, "Now, I wille around to collect everyone''s


    performance sheets. If there are any changes, please submit them by Friday."


    The kids'' performance pieces were decided with their families and filled out on the sheet.


    The teacher would invite professional judges to score them on site.


    For children this age, live scoring could be a bit harsh. But this wasn''t just any kindergarten; it was a ce to nurture young minds and talents.


    This talent show was designed to uncover their artistic potentials.


    After ss, Keen strutted over to Marvin with a smug look.


    "Hmph, you little troublemaker. Are you going to skip the contest again with some excuse?"


    Keen already disliked Marvin because he felt Marvin had "stolen" his mom''s attention.


    Marvin acted all nice in front of teachers and parents, but Keen knew the truth: Marvin always had something snarky to say behind his back, which only fueled Keen''s anger.


    Keen had never met anyone quite like Marvin - the kid got under his skin like no one else.


    After Rachel revealed Marvin had intentionally distracted the doctors, Keen''s dislike hardened into something fiercer.


    What really burned him? How Marvin turned into Little Mr. Perfect around adults. Keen just knew that two-faced act was why his mom had stopped visiting. The little weasel must have poisoned her against him.


    Since leaving the hospital, Keen took every opportunity to taunt Marvin. Marvin always stayed silent.


    Keen assumed Marvin felt guilty, which is why he never responded.


    Marvin paused his drawing when he heard Keen.


    "Didn''t you see the sheet that got collected? Ste agreed to join me for the performance this time."


    Keen froze, then burst out angrily, "No way, she wouldn''t join you!"


    Marvin put down his crayon, smiling. "Maybe Ste sees me as her son now, which is why she''s joining me."


    Marvin leaned closer to Keen, his voice low and taunting. "From today, I''m Ste''s son. You''re the one who''s not wanted. Keen, Ste doesn''t want you anymore."