Ste noticed Keen sitting beside Aurora,ughing as he chatted with her.


    As Ste''s thoughts drifted, a bright, delicate voice chimed in right next to her.


    The voice was full of excitement and surprise. "Haynie, Keen! You came to watch mepete?"


    Before Ste could respond, a sh of white darted past her.


    Rachel flung her arms around Keen. "Keen, it''s been ages since I saw you and Rachel. Did you miss me?"


    Keen had been busy talking to Aurora about ice skating and hadn''t even noticed Rachel''s arrival.


    Caught off guard by Rachel''s enthusiastic hug, he stared at her in surprise.


    "Rachel, when did you get here?"


    The preliminary round was organized by groups, and they had alle to support Ste''s event, never noticing which group Rachel was in.


    Rachel didn''t seem to care, simply grinning. "I just finished my round and spotted you and your dad right away."


    Her voice was light and cheerful. "Keen, how about I treat you to some ice cream after? My treat!"


    Kids always struggled to resist sweets and cold treats.


    And the less often they had them, the more they craved them.


    Sure enough, Keen swallowed instinctively.


    He was about to say yes when Aurora spoke up first.


    "Ms. Pearce, Keen isctose intolerant. Most of the milkshakes and ice cream at those ces aren''t suitable for him."


    Rachel''s smile faltered as she finally seemed to notice Aurora.


    She managed an awkward littleugh. "Don''t worry, Ms. Williams. I''ll be careful not to pick anything Keen''s allergic to..."


    Before she could finish, Aurora interrupted coolly.


    "Ms. Pearce, Keen has a sensitive stomach. Too many cold treats will upset his digestion and aren''t good for his health."


    She then turned to Haynes.


    "Mr. O''Brien, you''re Keen''s father. I know it''s not really my ce to say this, but can''t stand by and watch a child develop lifelong stomach. problems because of simple carelessness. If you don''t take care of his health now, these issues will follow him for years."


    For once, Aurora''s expression was genuinely serious.


    "As a father, you can''t just worry about his grades. His health matters, too."


    Instead of being annoyed, Keen looked a little lost, almost dazed by her words.


    He suddenly remembered his mother saying the same things in the past.


    Back then, he''d just found her nagging...


    Haynes was about to reply when, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar figure.


    His attention shifted as he turned to look.


    Ste stood quietly nearby. Who knew how long she''d been there, watching?


    Her face gave nothing away, impossible to tell what she was thinking.


    "Star." Haynes''s voice was low and rough.


    Aurora''s words had stirred a flood of old memories-things Haynes had ignored for too long.


    She used to make him herbal stews and remind him to avoid cold foods.


    She''d insist on regr meals.


    Every morning, she''d get up early just to make him breakfast.


    When his stomach was at its Ste even brought food


    Foffice, asking Benson torst


    Back then, it all seemed so ordinary.


    Now, there was no one left to do any of that.


    it.


    Whenever his stomach ached, little details from the past would slip back into his mind.


    Ste walked over. "Ms. Williams, Miss Lerman, you''re both here?"


    Aurora didn''t hesitate. "I wanted to


    see how the Novaris Cot


    ked up ust happened t


    Mr. O''Brien and Keen."


    SWI