Mr. Kane Got Blacklisted

Keegan paused his writing and asked in a calm voice, "Do you want her to come?"

Aurora hesitated before softly replying, "I don't want her to, but if she insists, we can't really stop her."

Keegan looked up, "If you don't want her there, she won't be. Just focus on your engagement with Aldor. I'll handle her calls and anything else."

Aurora wanted to ask how he planned to handle it but decided to stay quiet and just nodded in agreement.

After Aldor left, Stella washed up, lay on the bed, and browsed her phone. Bored, she moved over to Keegan's side to look at the books he had been reading lately.

Since Stella got pregnant, Keegan's bedside reading had shifted from his usual professional materials to popular science books about motherhood and babies.

Keegan was the type who, when he committed to something, did it thoroughly. He read books, researched online, and even took notes. He often shared what he learned with Stella, who appreciated his dedication. She knew the bond between a mother and child is natural, but a father's connection takes time to develop. Keegan, however, was already proving to be more involved than she had expected, which made her happy. She reached into the drawer to grab a pen to correct a note Keegan had made.

Inside, she found a notepad with a pen clipped to it. As she took the pen, she glanced at the notebook and paused when she read the entries.

[131 days: Same as yesterday. No vomiting. Morning sickness has eased, but she cried after dreaming the baby was ugly. Luckily, it wasn't a nightmare about me being unfaithful or violent, or I'd be kicked out of the bedroom again. Frequent bathroom trips; blood sugar normal. The doctor said it's likely due to the uterus pressing on the bladder, and it'll get worse later.]

The comma was dark, as if Keegan had paused there before writing the next sentence: [It's tough-need to get her more exercise.]

Stella bit her lip and turned back a few pages.

[126 days: Waist has increased by two centimeters. She spent a long time in front of the mirror with her favorite clothes. I told her she still looks good even if she's gained weight. She ignored me all night and spent hours watching videos of pregnancy transformations. She's anxious, and that makes me anxious too-I don't want her to worry.]

[117 days: First fetal movement-note it down.]

[109 days: She had a fever but refused to take medicine, worried about the baby. The doctor advised cooling down physically first. She sweated through the night and muttered in her sleep. The fever broke at dawn. She was weak and pale but proudly said she's tough. If it were me, I'd be sick for days. Idiot... I wish I could take her place.]

[100 days: Good appetite but still vomiting.]

[97 days: Still vomiting heavily.]

[94 days: After the prenatal checkup, she secretly asked if I wanted a boy or a girl. How could I choose? I just want her to suffer less. Her belly's growing, but her face looks thinner.]

[87 days: Big changes in appetite; still dizzy and vomiting.]

[81 days: Vomiting heavily.]

[78 days: Baby's the size of a soybean and growing well.]

[77 days: Hahahahahaha, twins!]

Stella couldn't help but laugh. It was rare for Keegan to express his emotions so openly, and his joy was clear in the way he wrote it down.

She read on, noticing that some lines were written in different ink, likely added later: [What happiness? It's so tough!]

It seemed Keegan had intended to document the baby's progress during each prenatal checkup but ended up recording more about Stella's experiences. As her pregnancy symptoms worsened, his concern deepened Stella's earlier worries now seemed unnecessary-Keegan was far more attentive and involved than she had realized.

The bathroom door handle turned, and Stella quickly closed the notebook and put it back in the drawer.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Keegan came out, drying his hair. Seeing her leaning against the headboard, he walked over and sat beside her. "Aren't you going to sleep?"

"I was waiting for you," Stella smiled.

Keegan patted her hand, "I'll be right back after drying my hair."

"Okay."

A few minutes later, Keegan returned to bed. Stella leaned into his arms, "Are you really not going to let your mother come to Aurora's engagement?"

"If she comes, it'll only cause trouble," Keegan said, gently stroking her shoulder. "She's always tried to control Aurora. Even though Aurora seems spoiled, she's actually quite timid and indecisive. If my mother shows up, she might say something that could push Aurora to do something she'd regret."

Stella asked, "But what if Aurora says she wants her there?"

Keegan replied, "Then I'll find a way to keep her away. I don't want to see her."

e

The incidents at Wendy's daughter's wedding and Dahlia's online behavior at Rivera's product launch had deeply hurt Keegan. He didn't want Dahlia anywhere near him or Stella, so he was determined to keep her away from the engagement party.

Stella didn't say anything more and just hugged Keegan tightly.

Keegan's engagement party was planned to be held at Wendy's hotel, and Stella had gone to finalize the arrangements with her.

After going over all the details, Wendy poured Stella a cup of tea, "Try this-it's the first crop of Longjing tea my friend grew."

Stella took a sip. It was light, sweet, fresh, and elegant. "It's good. Are you planning to sell it?"

Wendy asked, "Do you want to buy some?"

Stella put down her cup. "With the holidays coming up, I'm thinking of getting some small gifts for friends."

Wendy smiled, "So it's for Keegan to

give to his friends? Don't you usually give out VIR cards for your jewelry store as gifts? Never miss a chance to promote your business, do you?"

Stella smiled too, "It's just a bit of advertising on the side."

Wendy suddenly said, "I've been

friends with Dahlia for years. She's taken a lot of tea from me, but she's

never used my connections for her

En

husband or son. I think she wasn't just upset about your background when she thought you weren't good enough for Keegan. She also wasn't happy that you were so good to him."

Stella was puzzled, "Why would it be wrong to be good to him?"