Back then, he had said, "Mom, Rachel didn''t mean it. Why do you always assume the worst about people? You should apologize to her."


    Ste''s cold voice snapped Keen back to the present.


    "Keen, why do you always think so badly of Marvin? As far as I know, he''s never done anything to hurt you. Why do you insist on targeting him?"


    Keen''s emotions began to spiral out of control. "I''m not! I''m not, I swear! He''s always two-faced-acting nice to my face and different behind my back. He does it on purpose!"


    At that moment, Abby returned with the first aid kit in hand.


    She looked a little uneasy. "Ste, someone''s here."


    Ste lifted her head, catching sight of a man and a woman-both all too familiar.


    Seeing them, Neville arched an eyebrow.


    "Mr. O''Brien, Ms. Pearce. What a coincidence-meeting you here of all ces."


    Rachel smiled politely. "We actually came looking for Keen. When we went to pick him up from school, we found he''d already left. We checked his GPS watch and saw he was here, so we hurried over. But we didn''t expect to find... this."


    She nced at Ste, her words trailing off with barely concealed usation. "Ms. Cameron, next time you want to take Keen out, could you let us know in advance? Otherwise, we worry that something''s happened to him."


    Let them know in advance?


    So Rachel already thinks of herself as thedy of the house?


    A cold, mocking smile flickered in Ste''s heart, but she couldn''t be bothered to respond to Rachel''s obvious provocation.


    Instead, she turned to Keen. "Did you tell your dad you wereing here?"


    Keen lowered his head. "...No."


    Ste was about to say more when Rachel''s pointed voice chimed in again. "Ms. Cameron, are you going to say Keen just ''followed you'' again?"


    Even a fool could hear the implication behind Rachel''s words.


    Haynes''s dark eyes were icy. "Ste, I''ve never stopped you from seeing your son. There''s no need to sneak around like this."


    Ste''s face was unreadable, and she clearly had no desire to defend herself. She''d been through this routine too many times to bother trying to exin. Even if she did, Haynes would never believe her.


    Keen hurried to speak up, his voice anxious. "It wasn''t Mom who brought me here. I came on my own-I wanted to give her a birthday present."


    A flicker of emotion passed over Haynes''s face.


    But Rachel''s gaze was fixed on the shattered pieces lying on the floor.


    "Ms. Cameron, Keen did loan me this mug for a while, but it was always just a loan. He told me a few days ago he wanted it back, said it was your birthday present." She frowned slightly. "I know you don''t like your things being touched by others, Ms. Cameron, but Keen poured so much time and effort into this... for you."


    As she spoke, Rachel crouched down and began gathering the scattered shards.


    "If you don''t want it, you could''ve just given it to me. Why smash it? No matter what, it was a gift from Keen."


    "Ah!" Suddenly, Rachel cried out, her eyes welling with tears as she drew her hand back.


    A shard had sliced her finger, and blood welled up instantly.


    Marvin, Ste, Abby, and Neville: "..."


    Keen stared nkly at Rachel.


    ...This scene felt so familiar, as if it had just happened moments ago.


    Haynes stepped forward and helped Rachel to her feet.


    "Rachel, are you alright?"


    Her face had gone pale, but she managed a faint, strained smile.