The two women were deep in conversation when Ste''s phone suddenly rang.


    Abby shot her a nervous nce. "You don''t think Haynes is up to something again, do you?"


    Ste checked the screen-it was Deanna calling.


    She hesitated for a moment before answering. If Haynes really couldn''t make it, she needed to know right away.


    As soon as Ste picked up, Deanna''s icy voice came through the line.


    "Ste, Keen has a fever. You need toe back to the house and take care of him. Now."


    Deanna''s tone was as imperious as ever, every wordced withmand.


    Ste''s reply was cool and even. "If he''s sick, call a doctor. I''m not a nurse- there''s no point calling me."


    Deanna was stunned, her voice rising with anger.


    "You''re his mother, and that''s your response? How can you be so heartless?"


    Ste''s tone didn''t waver. "Haynes and I are about to finalize our divorce. Keen belongs with the O''Brien family now. In the future, don''t call me for this sort of thing."


    She paused, then added, "Of course, if you don''t want custody, just say the word. I''lle pick him up myself."


    "Divorce?" Deanna''s voice shot up an octave. "You''re actually getting divorced?"


    "That''s right." Ste nced at the time. "Haynes should be here in about five minutes."


    Instead of any sadness or regret about her son''s broken marriage, Deanna felt nothing but relief. She''d disliked Ste from the very start.


    If Keen hadn''t been sick and crying for his mother, Deanna wouldn''t have called her at all. The household staff could keep an eye on him, but it wasn''t the same as having his mother there all night. And if Ste wanted to y the role of free babysitter, so much the better.


    But now-her son was finally divorcing Ste. It was cause for celebration.


    "I told you from the beginning," Deanna sneered, "someone with your background


    and education was never good enough for Haynes. Divorce was inevitable. Just remember, for Keen''s sake, stay away from him from now on."


    "For a boy like Keen, having a mother like you—no degree, no family, no standing -will only ever be a stain on his life."


    With that, Deanna hung up, leaving nothing but a cold dial tone.


    Abby turned to Ste, worried. "What happened? It''s not Haynes bailing again, is it?"


    Ste shook her head. "No, it was Deanna. She said Keen has a fever."


    Abby raised her eyebrows. "Seriously? Keen''s been getting sick a lottely, hasn''t he? I thought ever since you started looking after him, he''d stopped having these fevers. Wasn''t thest time he got sick this much before he turned three?"


    A shadow crossed Ste''s face.


    "He stays up toote, eats junk food, and even though he''sctose intolerant and has a weak stomach, they still let him have sweets and cold drinks. It''s no wonder he keeps getting sick."


    Abby studied Ste''s expression. "Haynes is a jerk, but Keen''s your son... Can you really just let him go?"


    Ste parted her lips to answer, but before she could speak, a tall figure appeared


    in the distance, striding toward them.


    Abby noticed Ste''s gaze shift and turned to look as well.


    "It''s Haynes! He actually showed up!"


    For some reason, Abby seemed even more excited than Ste to see him arrive.