The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 99

As soon as Stella stepped into the living room, she unexpectedly saw Keen.

Keen caught her staring and turned his head away with a loud, dramatic huff, his cute little face frozen in a cold glare. His silent message was obvious: "I'm not talking to you. You come apologize first."

Stella simply shifted her gaze away, unfazed.

"Bang!" Deanna slammed her hand on the table, causing the silverware and coffee mugs to clatter loudly.

Her face was stern and angry as she spoke, "Stella, do you realize what you've done wrong?!"

Stella furrowed her brow but remained silent.

In the past, she had viewed the O'Brien family through rose-colored glasses and had often been belittled by Deanna. Over time, she had even started to believe she wasn't worthy of the O'Brien family, seeing Deanna as someone high and mighty, almost untouchable.

Now, with the illusion shattered, Deanna seemed much less intimidating.

Haynes glanced at Stella, his voice steady as he asked, "Mom, what's going on?"

"You should be asking your dear wife!" Deanna fumed, pulling back Keen's shirt sleeve to reveal a bruise. "Your wife has been encouraging other kids to bully her own child. What kind of mother does that?! Haynes, let me be clear—if Stella doesn't win Keen's forgiveness, she won't be stepping foot in our home again!"

With Deanna backing him up, Keen's little face was raised high with an air of arrogance. His mom always listened to Grandma, and she was scared of Grandma too. When Mom came over to apologize, he wouldn't forgive her easily. And, he thought, she should also apologize to Rachel.

Haynes looked at the bruises on Keen's arm, his expression turning serious.

"What exactly happened?"

Callie, standing nearby, spoke up softly, "Brother, Keen says there's a kid named Marvin at preschool who bullies him every day. These marks on his arm are all because of that kid. And..."