Ste followed Keen''s gaze and, sure enough, spotted Haynes in the distance.


    Marvin, standing beside her, greeted Keen politely. "Morning, Keen."


    Keen nced at him. "Morning."


    He didn''t bristle with hostility at the sight of Marvin anymore. Maybe it was because of that fight he''d had with the other kids-defending his mom, stepping up and taking responsibility. Or maybe it was something Aunt Aurora had told him: the more temper he showed, the further he''d push his mom away.


    Whatever the reason, Keen''s attitude towards Marvin had softened. At least in front of Ste, he didn''t pick fights anymore.


    Ste looked down at him. "Keen, did youe here to see me? Is something wrong?"


    Keen nodded. He dug into his little backpack and pulled out a tube of ointment.


    "Dad said you hurt your hand. I brought you this," he said, offering the ointment to Ste. "He told me it works really well-any cut heals up in no time."


    Ste nced at Keen, then at the ointment in his outstretched hand. After a moment, she took it from him.


    "Thank you."


    Keen''s face lit up with a bright grin when she epted it.


    He reached out and took Ste''s hand. "Mom, where are you taking Marvin today?"


    It was the weekend, and both boys were off from school.


    Ste didn''t hide her ns. "I''m taking Marvin to the amusement park."


    Keen''s eyes shone with hope. "Mom, I want to go too! Can Ie with you both?" Ste hesitated, clearly unsure.


    Just then, Marvin spoke up. "Keen hasn''t seen you in ages, Ste. If he wants toe, let''s all go together. You only get a few days off, and I''ve already taken up most of your time. If Keen joins us, it''ll be more fun-and you''ll get to spend more time with him too."


    He gave Keen a sweet, innocent smile.


    Keen''s hand curled into a fist, almost unconsciously. He caught the note of satisfaction in Marvin''s voice.


    Ste thought it over, then finally nodded.


    Keen''s smile returned. "Dad drove me here. We can take his car."


    Ste started to object, but Marvin chimed in first. "My dad drove me too. We can go in his car."


    Ste looked surprised. "Marvin, your dad''s here?"


    Marvin nodded.


    At that moment, a sleek ck sedan pulled up in front of them. The door opened, and a tall, imposing man stepped out.


    "Star, Marvin-am Ite?" Neville called out.


    Marvin ran straight into his father''s arms, grinning. "You''re right on time, Dad!"


    Ste hadn''t been expecting Neville to show up; she looked startled.


    "Mr. Connolly?"


    Neville smiled warmly. "I thought I''de along too. You don''t mind, do you, Star?"


    Ste started to reply, "No, but—”


    Before she could finish, another tall figure walked over.


    "Mr. Connolly, isn''t it a little rude to just show up without being invited?"


    Neville raised an eyebrow. "Uninvited? What, were you invited, Mr. O''Brien?"


    Haynes''s face was unreadable. "My son came to see his mother. I


    Neville gave a soft, knowing smile. "A child


    than his mother, sure,


    that''s only natural. But Star isn''t mother, is she?


    belongs to swnov?l


    Haynes''s voice was cold. "I''m the boy''s father. Coming to see his mother is perfectly reasonable Bu you Mr. Connolly you don''t have much of a im, do you?"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!