Chapter 1986

Stella fought back her laughter, carefully avoiding Jaylene's gaze to maintain her composure. She found herself torn between amusement at Keegan's straightforwardness and bemusement at Jaylene's naivety. Having been a frequent visitor to the Kane residence, Stella was well aware of Keegan's deep affection for Coco. A wiser approach for Jaylene would have been to endear herself to Coco, as winning the child's heart was as crucial as winning over Keegan and his family. Competing with a child was, in Stella's eyes, a futile effort. Stella eyed Jaylene's carefully chosen attire, deducing her preference for Joplonese cuisine. Jaylene's self-consciousness was apparent. She always strived to present her best self to Keegan. Yet, Stella knew that perfection was not the key to a lasting relationship. It was about embracing each other's strengths and accepting their weaknesses. Keegan, who is experienced in dealing with various personalities, would likely be unimpressed with insincerity. Mea