Keen broke into a happy grin. "Yeah, I haven''t hung out with Mr. Joshua in forever."


    With that, he looked at Ste eagerly, his eyes filled with an undeniable yearning. "Mom, you''reing with us tomorrow, right?"


    Ste opened her mouth to refuse, but the words wouldn''te out.


    However, if she just agreed like this, what would be the point of her n?


    Ste remained silent.


    For a moment, the atmosphere gradually cooled down.


    Just then, Haynes spoke up.


    "Since that''s the case, let''s all go together."


    Joshua turned to him with a smile. "Is Mr. O''Brien joining us as well?"


    Haynes acted as if he didn''t catch the hostility and unweing tone in Joshua''s voice. "It''s rare for our family of three to have a chance to spend time together. Naturally, we can''t let it slip by so easily," he said calmly.


    He looked down at his son.


    "Isn''t that right, Keen?"


    Keen had spent a lot of time with Joshua recently. He liked Mr. Joshua, but he also wanted to be with his parents.


    For him, getting to hang out with all his favorite people was the best thing in the world.


    He nodded emphatically.


    Ste cast a nce at Haynes and didn''t object any further.


    Dinner was prepared by the staff Haynes had brought over from his own ce.


    Ste was in a bad mood and barely spoke, and Haynes was never much of a talker anyway.


    Instead, Joshua and Keen chatted about recent amusing events at the dining table, keeping the atmosphere from bing too heavy.


    After a long day of flying, Keen could barely keep his eyes open once dinner was


    over.


    Ste asked Haynes to take Keen back to his room first.


    After Keen left, Ste turned to Joshua. "I''m going to stay here with Keen tonight. I won''t be going back, so you can head home."


    Joshua looked at her. "Then when are youing back? Tomorrow?"


    Ste found an excuse he couldn''t refuse. "It''s rare for Keen to visit Solmaris. I want to spend more time with him."


    Joshua indeed didn''t refuse. "Alright. Since you want to spend some time with him, I''ll stay here and keep youpany."


    Ste''s voice was indifferent.


    "There''s no need. Last time I went back to Novaris, I missed his parent-child activity and didn''t really get to take him out want to make t? up to him this time."


    Pausing, she looked up at Joshua.


    "A mother and father''s presence is something no one else can rece.


    No matter how much Keen likes you, when ites down to his dad and you, he will always choose his dad.


    After all, his dad is his blood rtive."


    The smile on Joshua''s lips gradually faded.


    "What do you mean by that, Star?"


    Ste turned her head, avoiding his eyes.


    "I''ve thought about it for a long time, and I really feel... we shouldn''t get married.


    Romance, to me, is just icing on the cake. It''spletely optional.


    I don''t deny that I do like you quite a bit.


    If your emotional state could always be as stable as it was when we first met marrying you wou


    undoubtedly be the best cus


    But now..."


    Ste paused. "I''m sorry. Even if I don''t think about myself, I have to consider the people around me.


    I just don''t think we''re a good match.


    So..."


    Before she could finish, Joshua cut her off.


    "Star."


    Ste instinctively looked at him.


    A soft curve touched Joshua''s thin lips, but the smile never reached his eyes. Deep within his gaze was a chilling emptiness utterly devoid of humaremotion.