chapter1832

Upon entering the villa, she found it was exactly as she remembered, with even the decorative items in their original places.

Maisie greeted Stella excitedly at the door. "Mrs. O'Brien, it's so good to see you again!"

Stella was on good terms with Maisie, who had been the housekeeper here since Stella married Haynes. Seeing her, Stella also smiled.

"Maisie, it's been a long time."

She paused. "Haynes and I are divorced. From now on, you can just call me Ms. Cameron."

Maisie quickly corrected herself. "Oh, right. It's just a habit..."

Maisie soon noticed the handsome young man beside Stella. She paused for a moment and asked, "And this is...?"

Stella smiled and introduced him. "This is my fianc , Joshua."

Turning to Joshua, Stella added, "Joshua, this is Maisie, the woman I told you about... She took very good care of me these past five years."

Joshua politely greeted Maisie.

Stella asked, "Maisie, where's Keen?"

"Keen is in his room doing homework," Maisie replied. "Mr. O'Brien had to step out on an urgent matter, but he said he'd be back soon. He said that if you... Ms. Cameron, arrived, you could make yourself at home."

Stella nodded gently.

"I'll go see Keen first."

Though it had been a long time, Stella still knew her way around the house perfectly. She led Joshua upstairs.

Joshua seemed very curious, his eyes scanning the surroundings and taking in the environment.

Soon, Stella brought Joshua to Keen's room and knocked softly.

Keen's young voice came from inside. "Coming."

When he opened the door and saw Stella, his eyes widened in surprise and delight. "Mom, you... what are you doing here?!"

Haynes had wanted to surprise Keen and hadn't told him Stella was coming today.

Seeing Keen's shock, Stella guessed Haynes's intentions and smiled. "Keen, how's your recovery going?"

"I'm all better," Keen said. "I can even start elementary school in a few days."

Stella paused, suddenly remembering that Keen was indeed old enough for school

now.

Keen looked at Stella with pleading eyes. "Mom, can you stay for a few more days this time?"

Stella asked, "Is there something you need my help with, Keen?"

Keen nodded. "The school is holding a Family Fun Day this weekend... Can you come with me, just this once?"

Parent-child activity. The phrase sounded so familiar yet so distant.

Stella looked at Keen, remembering she had never really participated?n one of these events with him. Back then Keen had gone with Rachel Pearce while she bad accompanied Marvin Connolly

After a moment's thought, Stella nodded gently.

"Okay."

She didn't know when she would be back in Solmaris again. This was a small request from Keen that she could fulfill.

Keen was overjoyed to get Stella's approval, his eyes sparkling. He turned to Joshua beside him and said cheerfully, "Mi Joshua is this your first time at my house? Can I give you a tour?"

Joshua replied, "Sure. I'd like to see where you and your mom used to live."

Keen eagerly grabbed Joshua's hand and dashed out.

Acting like a little adult, Keen led Joshua on a tour of the entire villa, even showing him the bedroom that Stella and Haynes used to share.

Joshua didn't see any wedding photos of Stella and Haynes in the room, not even a simple picture of them together. Even the nightstand only held a solo photo of Keen.

However, despite the lack of photos,

traces of Stella's presence were

everywhere, in the villa and in the

bedroom. The potted plants

On the

windowsill, the paintings on the walls, and the music-note figurine on the desk-all of it spoke to how much care the former occupant had put into making it a home.