At that moment, the carousel whirred to life.


    A park attendant stopped Haynes at the entrance.


    Neville, noticing themotion, waved at Haynes with a smirk that was just a little


    too smug.


    Dropping the previous conversation, Neville turned to chat with Ste about


    something else, and she let out a quiet sigh of relief.


    When Keen and Marvin climbed down from the carousel, both boys were beaming


    with joy.


    Without missing a beat, they began scanning the area for their next adventure.


    Neville''s gaze drifted to Rachel, who was practically glued to Haynes'' side like a piece of stubborn tape.


    His eyes sparkled mischievously, and he suggested, "Marvin, didn''t you say you wanted to try the pirate ship ride? Should we give it a go?"


    Marvin, rather than answering right away, turned to Ste for her opinion. "Ste, do you want to go?"


    Ste saw the hopeful look in Marvin''s eyes and nodded gently.


    She then nced over at Keen. "Keen, if you''d rather not, you can wait for us down here-"


    Before she could finish, Keen interrupted, "I want to go!"


    Ste studied him for a moment, then smiled. "Alright, let''s go."


    In the past, for Rachel''s sake, they only ever chose safe, slow-paced rides-like boat tours or the gentle train.


    Yet somehow, Rachel always managed to have some sort of mishap.


    Ste didn''t bother asking Haynes'' opinion; she simply led the group toward the pirate ship.


    Haynes had been watching Ste the whole time. He''d made up his mind not to let Neville and Ste get any closer.


    The second he saw them moving, he followed without hesitation.


    "Are you all going on the pirate ship?" he asked.


    Ste ignored him, but Keen answered, "Yes."


    By now, they''d reached the entrance to the ride.


    Haynes was about to step on when Rachel suddenly tugged at his sleeve.


    "Haynie, are you going too?"


    Haynes frowned slightly. "Yes."


    Rachel nced nervously at the swaying pirate ship. Her voice was soft. "Haynie, I don''t think my health can handle something so


    ca


    She hadn''t forgotten her role.


    Haynes gave her an odd look. "If you can''t ride, just wait for us down here."


    Rachel hesitated, surprised. "Wait... by myself?"


    In the past, if Rachel couldn''t join a ride, Haynes and Keen wouldn''t give it a second thought-they''d stay behind with her.


    But now, they were leaving her here?


    Distracted, Haynes just nodded, his eyes fixed on Ste and Neville as they moved ahead. He hurried after them, not sparing Rachel another nce.


    Rachel stood frozen, disbelief written all over her face.


    On instinct, she trailed after them and called out to Keen, who was about to go inside, "Keen, you''re still young, and your health is fragile. This ride is dangerous-maybe you should sit this one out."


    It seemed almost second nature for Rachel to take away things Ste liked.


    Anything Ste wanted, Rachel had to have.


    If Ste was excited about something, Rachel would do everything she could to


    put a stop to it—just to assert her own importance.


    Keen''s delicate face scrunched up in conflict.


    "But... the pirate ship isn''t that scary


    and I''m perfectly healthy now. Doctor Williams said if I never


    any exercise, my body will just get weaker. Besides..."


    He nced at Rachel, then added, "I want to ride with Mom."


    Rachel''s expression stiffened.


    She opened her mouth to argue, but as soon as she saw Ste step inside, she rushed after her.


    “Rachel, just wait for us down here," Ste called back.