As the car pulled away from the curb, Haynes nced at Ste in the rearview mirror.
"So, home or the studio?"
"The studio," Ste replied without looking up.
He nodded and turned the wheel, steering them in a new direction.
From the mirror, he studied her a moment longer. "You don''t look like you''re in the best mood."
Ste''s answer was cold, tinged with biting sarcasm.
"That''s none of your business. If you''re so eager to worry about something, focus on Rachel''s health. If she gets sick again before her concert, everything you''ve done for her will be for nothing."
Haynes heard the edge in her voice; the underlying mockery was unmistakable.
Eyes fixed on the road ahead, he said quietly, "Yesterday, I had Rachel go through another full checkup."
Ste turned to him, expression unreadable. "And? Is she getting worse, or better?"
He was silent for a moment. "Dr. Burton''s medication seems to be working."
A wry smile tugged at Ste''s mouth. "So, she''s improving?"
"Rachel has weekly checkups," Haynes exined. "At first, I couldn''t believe she was really that sick. I even brought in specialists for second opinions. But every result came back the same."
Ste caught his meaning immediately. "Are you suggesting Dr. Burton lied to help me?"
"That''s not what I''m saying."
She let out a coldugh, then fell silent.
There was no waking a man who only pretended to sleep. Even if she threw the truth about Rachel''s illness in his face, he''d just find another excuse for her.
The car grew quiet.
Keen, sitting between them, looked from his mother to his father, lips parting as though he wanted to say something-but thought better of it.
After a while, Haynes broke the silence, his voice low and heavy.
"Whatever the truth is whether Rachel''s really sick or not-once the concert is over, my debt to her will be paid in full."
Ste gave no reaction, staring out the window as the city passed them by.
Haynes opened his mouth, as if to speak again, but said nothing.
Finally, it was Keen who broke the tension.
"Mom, can I stay with you for a while?"
Ste turned, surprised. "Why all of a sudden?"
"Dad''s barely ever home, and I don''t want to stay in the house by myself. And...”
His voice grew softer, almost shy. "I miss you, Mom."
There was a vulnerability in his eyes that Ste hadn''t seen in so long-
something achingly familiar, yet distant.
She''d almost forgotten thest time Keen had said he missed her.
A strange ache rose in her chest.
She''d raised Keen herself. When was little, he''d cling to her at the preschool gates, sobbing and
refusing to let go. Somewhe
along
the line, he''d drifted away from her.
After a brief pause, Ste said gently, "I''m busy preparing for the concert right
now. I''m afraid I won''t have much time to take care of you."
Keen hadn''t expected her to say no-especially since she''d invited him over just days ago.
His eyes filled with tears, the hurt in on his face.
"Mom..." His voice trembled, barely more than a whisper.
Ste looked away, her heart twisting as she avoided his gaze.
Haynes spoke up, his tone even. "Keen, your mom has a lot on her te right now. Why don''t you wait until the concert is over, then you can stay with her?"
He turned to Ste. "Does that sound alright to you?"
Keen''s eyes lit up with hope, staring at her with silent pleading.
Meeting that gaze, Ste hesitated, then gave a small, reluctant nod.
The sadness melted from Keen''s face, reced by a shy, glowing smile.
Soon, Haynes pulled up in front of Ste''s new studio.
She wasn''t surprised he knew the address; with Rachel and Jasper monitoring her every move, it wouldn''t be long before they tried to take this ce from her too, if they thought it was nicer than thest.
Ste opened the car door. "I''ll go ahead."
But just as she started to close it, something urred to her. She looked back at Haynes.
"Haynes, I hope you''ll take Keen''s safety more seriously."