Keen was right next to Rachel, clinging to her as though she was his only support.


    Haynes suddenly noticed that his wife and son had started shing like cats and dogs without him even realizing it. Ste had be attached to another child, while Keen had put all his trust in someone else.


    Where did it all go wrong? Everything seemed perfectly fine not too long ago.


    "Keen," Haynes finally spoke up, his voice steady, "You were out of it back then, not really aware of what was happening. It was indeed your mom and that other kid who helped save you."


    Keen was taken aback, instinctively protesting, "No way! How could they possibly save me?"


    Ste''s eyes glinted with a knowing look. "If you don''t believe me, why not ask Rachel?"


    Keen quickly turned to Rachel, "Rachel, didn''t you say..."


    "Keen!" Rachel cut in quickly, her eyes darting around desperately. "Yes, it was your mom and that kid who helped you..."


    Ste watched Rachel''s flustered expression with interest. "Ms. Pearce," she said calmly, "Keen was about to say something. Why not let him finish?"


    Marvin chimed in, ever the observant little boy, "Ste, is thisdy''s eye bothering her? She''s blinking an awful lot. My mom has some great eye drops; should I rmend them?"


    Even Haynes, usually not the quickest on the uptake, sensed something was off.


    However, with so many people around, he felt it was inappropriate to dig deeper right there. Instead, he gave Rachel a lingering look before turning to the kindergarten teacher.


    "What exactly happened this time?"


    The teachers, having witnessed quite a bit of drama, had a fairly good grasp of the situation by now.


    They were secretly enjoying the unfolding saga.


    "Well, it''s not exactly a major issue. These two kids just started bickering out of the blue..."


    The teacher paused, ncing between Haynes and Ste.


    "Could we have a private word with you both?"


    The kindergarten ss had more than one teacher on duty.


    Two teachers took Haynes and Ste aside to separate offices for a chat.


    Keen and Marvin were constantly bickering or fighting, and this couldn''t go on. It was starting to affect the other kids as well.


    The teachers and the principal had even discussed the possibility of suggesting one of them transfer to another school.


    While the teachers were speaking with Haynes and Ste, Rachel seized the opportunity to whisk Keen away to a secluded corner.


    "Keen, you promised me you wouldn''t tell anyone what I said, remember?"


    "Rachel, I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to say it like that. It''s just..."


    Keen looked at Rachel, puzzled. "Rachel, didn''t you say that Mom and Marvin, that bad kid, wouldn''t let the doctors help me? Why is Dad saying they saved me?"


    Rachel sighed, saying, "Sweetie, your dad''s just trying to spare your feelings and keep you from being upset with your mom. That''s why he''s saying that..."


    Before she could finish, a young voice suddenly piped up from behind them. "You''re lying!"


    Startled, they both turned around.


    Marvin stood a short distance away, watching them closely. "So, you sneaked off for a little secret chat, huh?" he said.


    Rachel was startled, looking at Marvin as if she had seen a ghost. "You..."


    At that moment, Marvin''s expression was far from the innocent and vulnerable


    one he''d worn earlier. His eyes sparkled with a sharpness and cunning that belied his young age.