Keen didn''t just talk to Ste regrly; he often chatted with Joshua as well.


    To him, Joshua was the most capable person he''d ever met, second only to his father.


    Like most boys, Keen looked up to the strong. In his eyes, Joshua was the ultimate example.


    "Keen," Joshua said with a smile, "what are wepeting in this time?"


    After losing to Joshua in shooting, Keen had challenged him to a horse race, only to be soundly defeated again. He had since taken up basketball, fencing, and rollerding, but no matter how hard he practiced, he could never beat Mr. Joshua. Instead of feeling discouraged, Keen was thrilled, as if he had discovered a hidden treasure. He was determined to find something Mr. Joshua couldn''t do.


    Keen tilted his chin up proudly. "Mr. Joshua, this time, I challenge you to a piano duel!"


    He reasoned that Mr. Joshua was a natural athlete, sopeting in sports was unfair. But talent was a different story. He was Ste''s son, after all, and had inherited her musical gifts. Even his piano teacher said he had the potential to be a renowned musician.


    Joshua raised an eyebrow and readily epted. "Alright. But it''s been a while since I''ve yed, so I''m a bit rusty. I''ll give you a few days to practice."


    His response surprised not only Keen but Ste as well. "Joshua, you know how to y the piano?"


    "I learned a little in music ss when I was a kid," he said casually.


    Ste was speechless. Music ss when they were kids was nothing like the specialized programs in kindergartens today. It was mostly a way for students to rx, and the teachers rarely took it seriously.


    Keen''s eyes, however, lit up with admiration. "You''re so amazing, Mr. Joshua! You can even y the piano. Is there anything you can''t do?"


    Joshuaughed. "I''ll leave that for you to find out, Keen."


    Haynes stood by, watching the three of themugh and talk, a sour feeling creeping into his stomach.t felt as if Ste, Joshua, and Keen were real family, and he was the outsider. He could see that Keen''s for Joshua was different from the way he had felt about


    -affect


    Rachel.


    He couldn''t help but interrupt their warm exchange. "Star."


    All three of them turned to look at him, reinforcing his feeling of being an intruder.


    But Haynes, everposed, quickly regained hisposure.


    "Keen and I would like to stay until after your birthday," he said, his voice low. "He''s been nning a surprise for you sincest month... so please make sure you keep that day free."


    The mention of a surprise immediately captured Keen''s attention. He looked at Ste with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. "Mom, we didn''t get to celebrate properlyst year. This time, Dad and I have nned the perfect birthday for you. Please say you''lle, okay?"


    Ste nced at Haynes, catching the hidden message in Keen''s words. She looked down at her son and said gently, "Of course. But Abby and your Uncle Antoney will be celebrating with me too. The more, the merrier, right? You love big parties, don''t you?"


    Keen hesitated for a moment before nodding. His dad had said it would be just the three of them, but he supposed it was okay if his mom''s friends joined.


    were diplomatic, but<fn9a4d> Fresh chapters posted on FιndNovel</fn9a4d>


    Ste''s words we


    Joshua was not so polite. "Mr.


    O''Brien, you had your chance to n


    a private birthday for Star, and you


    blew it Now that you two du two are


    Tonger together, it''s a bit much to


    expect her to ditch all her friends


    just to be with you, don''t you think?"


    Haynes''s jaw tightened. "You''re mistaken. She won''t be just with me. Keen will be there too."


    "Keen can celebrate with everyone else," Joshua countered. "Abby has already nned a party and invited all of Star''s friends. As for you..." A smirk yed on his lips. "You have no real ties to Star, and your rtionship is awkward at best. hardly seems appropriate for you to attend." He paused as if a thought had just urred to him. "Even Mr. Foreman Richards has more right to be there than you do."


    "Joshua is right," Ste added. "On my birthday, I''ll take Keen out. You''re a busy


    man; you don''t need to waste your time on me."


    Haynes was about to argue when two more people walked in: Aurora and Queenie.