"Wait... Is she your wife?"


    As he spoke, Joshua gently pulled a still bewildered Keen to his side.


    "Keen, buddy, your dad''s just having a rough day. Don''t be upset with him, alright?"


    Keen nodded, still a little confused. He truly didn''t understand why his father was in such a bad mood.


    Joshua, ever tactful, managed to keep things light-no me, no stirring the pot, not like Rachel, who always managed to fan the mes with her pointed remarks. Even Haynes, who never particrly liked Joshua, couldn''t find fault with his words.


    Still, Haynes didn''t warm to him. If anything, he only became more convinced that Joshua was sly—someone who yed the long game. He''d already fallen for his act more than once.


    His tone was cold. "Save your little schemes for someone else. Don''t pretend to be all warm and caring here."


    Joshua just sighed. “Mr. O''Brien, I really care about Keen. That''s all there is to it."


    He turned to Ste. "Honestly, I''m not sure what I did to make Mr. O''Brien misunderstand me so badly. Ms. Cameron, maybe I should just go. I didn''t realize you''d already made ns with him and Keen. If I''d known, I wouldn''t havee."


    He smiled politely at Haynes. "Wouldn''t want to intrude on your family time, after all."


    Ste''s voice was calm. "There''s no need for you to leave. We didn''t make any ns. And if anyone should go, it certainly isn''t you."


    She beckoned to Keen and Joshua. "Let''s get going. Joshua, would you mind driving?"


    Joshua nodded. "Of course."


    As they passed Haynes, Joshua nced at him with a dazzling smile.


    "So Mr. O''Brien just showed up unannounced? Well, since you''re not in the mood for fun today, maybe take Keen out instead. When you''re feeling better, you can join us. No need to let your mood spoil O everyone else''s day."


    Keen, who''d wanted to invite his dad along, hesitated after hearing Joshua''s words. He realized Joshua was right-if Dad was upset, it could bring everyone down. Maybe it was best not to invite him along this time.


    With that thought, Keen gave Haynes a polite wave. "Bye, Dad."


    Then the three of them climbed into Ste''s car. Joshua started the engine, and in


    a moment, they''d pulled away, leaving Haynes standing alone in the parking lot.


    He stood there for a long time


    before snapping out of it, a strange sense of déjà vu washing over him Suddenly, he remembered—this scene was just like the times he''d picked up Keen with Rachel by his side. Except now, he was the one left behind.


    Ste hadn''t said a single harsh word to him today, yet he felt miserable. How much more must Ste have hurt, back when he''d constantly criticized her for being thoughtless and immature?


    A heavy weight pressed on his chest as he stood motionless. After a long while, he finally decided to follow them. He didn''t trust this Joshua-he''d never been able to find out anything about the man''s past, and that alone was suspicious. Cóntent