The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 212

"Keen told me he can't stand me and doesn't want you to be with me. He came to the amusement park just to reconcile with you. He said if he acted all apologetic and charming, you'd listen to him and stop paying attention to me. And then he said... he said..."

At this point, Marvin's eyes started to well up, his voice becoming choked with emotion.

Stella pressed gently, "What else did he say?"

"Keen said that I'm just his stand-in... Stella, am I really just Keen's stand-in?"

Marvin's big, beautiful eyes were glassy with unshed tears, resembling a forlorn puppy that's been left out in the rain.

Stella's heart ached at the sight.

Her disappointment in Keen deepened.

A stand-in? Just like his father, always playing the same game. The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree.

"You are no one's stand-in, Marvin. You're just yourself," Stella said with conviction, looking him straight in the eyes. "I promise I'll stand up for you in this."

She paused for a moment, then added, "Besides getting him to apologize, is there anything else you want? I'll do my best to make it happen."

Marvin looked at Stella with a fearful, uncertain expression.

"I don't have any other requests. I just want Stella to stay with me."

Stella felt a pang of sadness.

Ever since they met, Marvin seemed to have been caught in a string of bad luck, often getting bullied by Keen.

Yet, he never blamed her or Keen.

Stella took a deep breath and turned to Neville, who had been silently standing by.

"Mr. Connolly, if there's anything you'd like, please let me know..."

Neville met her gaze steadily. "Stella, you need to understand, the child isn't just your responsibility. It's not something you should bear alone."