"No."


    Even with Keen standing there, Ste''s answer was firm and unwavering.


    Haynes tried to exin, "Star, nothing ever happened between me and Rachel. I never cheated on you-I never did anything to betray you. The only reason I was kind to her was because she''s terminally ill. Can''t you give me just one more chance? If not for me, then at least for Keen?"


    Ste met his gaze, her eyes cool and expression calm.


    "Haynes, when you left me to be with Rachel, I forgave you. When you took Rachel''s side and made me apologize to her, I forgave you. When I was sick with a fever and then kidnapped, and you were still with Rachel, I forgave you. Even when you gave our wedding to Rachel, I forgave you for that too. I gave you chance after chance, and you never valued any of them. No one will wait forever. My feelings for you were worn out every time you asked me to step back for Rachel. Haynes, there''s no future for us."


    Haynes clenched his fists without realizing it. "But what about Keen? Even if you don''t care about me, can''t you at least think of Keen?"


    Ste lowered her eyes and nced at Keen.


    Keen stood quietly at her side, no longer the willful, spoiled child he once was. He looked mature beyond his years, almost like a little adult.


    Ste asked, "Keen, do you want Mom and Dad to get back together?"


    Keen suddenly thought of Neville Connolly and something Mr. Joshua had said. He answered, “I do want Mom and Dad to get back together—then I could see Mom every day again. But if living together again would make Mom unhappy, then... I don''t want you to be together, even if it means I can''t have both of you at home. No matter what, Mom will always be my mom, and Dad will always be my dad. I just want Mom to be happy, and to live the life she really wants."


    Ste''s eyes stung with emotion.


    Rachel''s presence had wrecked her marriage and family, but she couldn''t deny that it had also pulled her out of a dead-end life that felt like a tomb. And Keen had grown up a lot because of it.


    Ste wasn''t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.


    "Well said, Keen!"


    A voice came from the doorway.


    Joshua, just back from lunch, walked into the room.


    Keen''s eyes lit up. "Mr. Joshua!"


    Joshua smiled and walked over. "Keen,


    you have ss this


    you if not, how about el


    out for some target practice?"


    Keen''s face brightened instantly. "Mr. Joshua, I''m free today!"


    Haynes'' expression darkened the moment he saw Joshua.


    "What are you still doing here?"


    Joshua turned to him, unfazed. "Mr. O''Brien, you look surprised to see me. Why? Did you think I shouldn''t be here?"


    Haynes shot Joshua a look full of


    disdain. He turned to Ste and said, "Star, he''s just a gold-digger living


    off women. You shouldn''t keep someone like him around."


    At that, Ste''s eyes went cold.


    “Haynes, those people online smearing Joshua—was that your doing?"


    Haynes replied coldly, "I wouldn''t waste my time with something like that."


    Ste that


    already found out


    Scaen iming.


    d them all have bet


    to the O''Brien Group."


    Haynes frowned. "And what does that prove?"


    Ste continued, "Did you know Joshua was in a car ident a few days ago?"