However, the moment he reached for Marvin''s hand, there was a loud *crash*. The mug Marvin was holding slipped from his grasp and shattered on the floor, fragments scattering everywhere.


    Everyone froze in shock, staring at the mess. Only Neville''s eyes flickered with a shadowy, unreadable glint.


    Finally snapping out of his daze, Marvin immediately began apologizing. His voice trembled, and his eyes brimmed with tears. "Keen, I''m so sorry-it''s all my fault, I was so clumsy..."


    Keen stared at the broken pieces of the mug he''d made himself, fury rising fast in his chest.


    He lost all control, jabbing an using finger at Marvin.


    "You did it on purpose! You smashed the birthday present I made for Mom-on purpose!"


    It hadn''t been easy, not at all. He''d spent countless hours in the workshop, failing again and again, until finally, he''d managed to make this one perfect mug, every detail just right.


    And now, in an instant, all his hard work was ruined.


    Keen felt like his heart was breaking.


    Marvin just looked helpless and stricken. "I swear I didn''t, Keen-you''ve got it wrong..."


    Tears welled in Marvin''s eyes. "Keen, I really am sorry."


    He crouched down, small and miserable, and began picking up the shards.


    "Ow!" A sharp piece sliced his finger; fresh blood welled from the cut.


    “Marvin!" Ste''s face changed at once. She rushed to scoop him up, concern etched deep on her features.


    Head bowed in shame, Marvin barely whispered, "Ste, I''m sorry. I broke the mug Keen made for your birthday."


    "My birthday was ages ago," Ste said as she examined Marvin''s bleeding hand. "It''s just a mug. If it''s broken, it''s broken."


    Keen''s eyes went wide with shock, disbelief flickering across his face.


    Every gift he''d ever given his mother-whether a scrap of candy or a crayon drawing-she''d treasured it. He still remembered the time his aunt had eaten a piece of candy he''d given his mother; gentle as she was, it was the first time she''d ever looked genuinely upset.


    His mother had always cherished his presents. Even the tiniest scratch or chip would have upset her, let alone something being smashed.


    But now, the mug he''d worked so hard on was broken, and she didn''t even nce at it. All her attention was on Marvin.


    "Abby," Ste said, "could you please ask the restaurant for a first aid kit? Marvin''s cut needs to be cleaned and bandaged."


    The cut wasn''t bad enough for the hospital, but it still needed care.


    Marvin shrank back, cradling his hand. “Ste, I''m fine. Really."


    He ducked his head, shame and sadness weighing him down.


    "This is all my fault. I can''t even hold a mug properly."


    Ste tried tofort him. "It''s not your fault-"


    But Keen''s angry voice interrupted her.


    He red at Marvin with open resentment. "Mom, he broke the mug I made for you! I made it myself, just for your birthday!"


    Ste sighed and looked directly at Keen, her brows pinched in concern.


    "Keen, right now, you should be more worried about Marvin''s injury than the mug."


    Her words stung. Keen felt a wave of hurt and betrayal crash over him.


    "He did it on purpose! He always acts pitiful, just like now! How many times does this have to happen before you see it, Mom?"


    "I honestly don''t see it," Ste replied, meeting Keen''s eyes. "All I see is you targeting Marvin. When did you be so unreasonable, Keen?"


    Keen''s pupils shrank, her words echoing in his mind.


    He suddenly remembered a fight between his parents about Rachel, words that sounded painfully familiar.


    "Ste, why are you always picking on someone who''s already suffering? When did you be so unreasonable?"