The first time you file for divorce, and the second time, you need to wait six months in between. With all the mediation and other procedures, it can take at least two years to finalize a divorce.
Getting married is as easy as signing a piece of paper. But getting divorced is so difficult.
Even if both parties agree, there's a mandatory cooling-off period.
On the other end of the line, there was a pause.
"Stella, is Keen with you?" came the voice.
Stella frowned. "No, he's not here."
Haynes pressed on. "Are you sure Keen isn't with you?"
Stella's patience was wearing thin. "What exactly are you getting at, Haynes?"
"Keen is missing."
Stella's tone turned icy. "If Keen's missing, go and look for him. What's the point of calling me? Do you expect me to magically make him appear?"
Haynes' voice was as cold as ice. "You don't seem surprised at all, nor are you worried or anxious."
Rachel's words had planted a seed of doubt in him about Stella, especially since she showed no signs of shock.
Stella could read between the lines. She let out a bitter laugh. "When I was worried about him, you and your mother always said I was overreacting, making a mountain out of a molehill."
Haynes was silent for a moment. "Stella, now is not the time to rehash the past."
"So, what's your point?"
"You're Keen's mother. If you wanted to take him somewhere, you could have just told me. There's no need for all this sneaking around."
Stella retorted, "Exactly, I'm his mother. Why would I need to sneak around? Maybe you should ask Rachel. Keen likes her a lot; maybe he went to see her."
"I already asked Rachel. She said he isn't with her."
"Where's Stella now?"
Benson was an efficient assistant. When Haynes asked him to track down Keen's movements, he simultaneously looked into Stella, Rachel, Deanna, and anyone connected to Keen.
Benson avoided meeting his eyes. "She's also... at the amusement park."
Haynes' lips formed a tight line.
He chose to trust Stella, and she deceived him!
His eyes darkened like a stormy night. "Get the car ready. We're going to the amusement park. And send someone to make sure Stella doesn't leave the park."
"Right away, sir."
Benson drove towards the amusement park. But halfway there, Haynes' phone rang.
"Mr. O'Brien, there's been an accident. The young master has fallen into the lake!"
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