NovelApexChapter 357
Stella had started to notice something troubling: new scrapes and bruises kept appearing on Marvin lately.
Whenever she asked Marvin about them, he'd brush it off-sometimes claiming he'd just bumped into something,
other times saying he got hurt during gym class.
But to Stella, the explanations didn't quite add up.
One morning, after Marvin had gone off to preschool, Stella brought it up with Abby over coffee.
Abby's first reaction was instinctive. "You don't think he's getting into fights with other kids, do you?"
Stella frowned. "Marvin's always so well-behaved at school. Even his teachers can't say enough good things
about him. | really don't think he's the fighting type."
"True," Abby agreed. "He doesn't seem like the sort. Did you ask his teachers? What did they say?"
"| did. They said they haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary with Marvin lately."
Abby shook her head. "That's strange. You should check him over tonight when he bathes. See if he has any
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtfresh bruises."
Stella sighed. “He insists he's a big boy now and doesn't need anyone helping him wash up anymore."
The two of them puzzled over the mystery. Whatever was going on, Stella resolved to have a serious talk with
Marvin that evening.
But that night, Marvin actually went hinstead of coming back to Stella's place.
Then, for the next several days, he didn't return at all.
In the past, whenever Marvin went home, he'd always call or ask to cback after just one night. This time, his
uncharacteristic silence made Stella uneasy.
A worrying thought crept in: Could Marvin's injuries... be Neville's doing?
Anxious, Stella couldn't help but pick up the phone and call Neville.
He answered quickly, his deep, smooth voice coming through the line.
"Star?"
Stella hesitated for a moment. "Mr. Connolly, you haven't been away on business lately, have you?"
"No, I'm at the Neo-Vespera Hotel these days," Neville replied with a small laugh. "Why? Do you need
something?"
"It's nothing urgent," Stella said quickly. "I just wanted to ask about Marvin. How has he been lately?"
"Marvin?" Neville sounded surprised. "I thought he's been staying with you this whole time."
Stella blinked. "He's been back hfor several days now. You didn't know?"
"He's home?" Neville clearly hadn't been aware. "I've been caught up in meetings these days, staying at the
hotel since it's closer. The kid never toldhe left your place. | just assumed he was still with you."
Stella's worry deepened. She had assumed Marvin returned hbecause Neville was there. Now, hearing this,
she felt a spike of anxiety.
"He hasn't cback here for four or five days. | thought he was with you."
Neville's tone grew serious. "Don't panic. Letcall the house and check in." "Alright."
A few minutes later, Neville called back.
"Marvin's been coming hevery day, right on schedule," he reported. "He hasn't been anywhere else. There's
nothing to worry about."
Stella finally breathed a little easier.
After a pause, she brought up her concern about Marvin's recent injuries.
Neville was quiet for a moment, then gave a low laugh. "I'll head htonight and ask that rascal about it. Don't
worry about him-he's not like most kids. He's tougher than you think."
"| just worry he might be getting picked on," Stella admitted.
After months of knowing Neville and his son, she'd cto understand Neville's parenting style.
He believed in giving Marvin plenty of space, rarely interfering in his son's social squabbles.
Neville had said more than once that children should work out their own conflicts. When adults got involved,
things only got messier.
Marvin was five now, just beginning to form his own worldview. If he ran to his parents for help every time
someone hurt him, he'd grow up always expecting someone else to fight his battles.
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