The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 201

It was that troublemaker and his dad.

And... his mom.

Mom was holding Marvin Connolly's hand, chatting with him occasionally, her smile warm and gentle.

So different from the cold and indifferent look she always wore around him.

Keen O'Brien vaguely remembered a time when his mom used to smile at him like that.

When did her gaze become so distant and cold?

Keen trailed behind the three of them, watching as they enjoyed the Ferris wheel, the carousel, and the pirate ship.

They even hit up the balloon shooting game.

Marvin managed to win a stuffed toy, grinning like a fool.

He proudly handed his prize to Stella Cameron.

Stella took it with delight, giving Marvin a thumbs-up as if he had just conquered the world.

Keen scoffed at the scene.

He was a much better shot than Marvin.

Seeing Stella's bright smile made Keen's heart ache.

He muttered to himself, "Grandma was right, Mom really doesn't know much. It's just a silly stuffed toy; I could win those in my sleep... Is it really worth all that excitement?"

"This brat can only win toys, but I can get my hands on a beautiful crystal music box. If I gave her that, she'd be over the moon..."

Keen paused, suddenly reminded that the music box he had won was already given to Rachel.

Rachel had simply smiled and said thank you, not nearly as thrilled as Mom seemed to be.

Turns out, Mom was that easy to please.

Yet he had given his prize, and even her birthday gift, to Rachel instead.

When she advised Marvin to avoid junk food, Marvin, though visibly disappointed, still nodded.

"Okay, once I'm better, I'll eat it... Stella, can you make me your famous apple pie tonight?"

Stella chuckled and patted Marvin's head, "Sure, I'll whip it up for you when we get back."

"Hooray! Stella, you're the best!"

At that moment, Marvin's face was filled with childlike innocence and joy, so unlike the shadowy, cunning, and duplicitous Marvin Keen thought he knew.

What's so great about her baked goods, anyway?

He'd had them so often he was nearly sick of them.

Yet, inexplicably, he found himself craving one of Mom's pastries too.

A heavy feeling settled in Keen's chest.

After a while, Neville Connolly returned, carrying three ice cream cones.