The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 10

Haynes furrowed his brow and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Antoney, Stella's childhood friend, was someone Haynes had seen numerous times. Stella often spoke about Antoney, detailing his life story to him.

Stella had told him that Antoney had lost his parents at a young age and lived with his grandparents. By middle school, his grandparents had passed away, too, leaving Antoney all alone.

Stella's mom discovered Antoney's musical talents and took him under her wing during that period. But Antoney was a withdrawn and melancholic boy and ignored everyone around him.

It took Stella three years to break through his shell and become his friend.

Yet, for some reason, Haynes couldn't shake the feeling of dislike he felt towards Antoney from their very first meeting.

"You can meet your ex-girlfriend, so why is it strange for Star to dine with her childhood friend?" Antoney's voice was calm, yet each word was sharp, dripping with sarcasm.

He had effectively ripped away the facade Haynes and Rachel had been hiding.

darkened, his handsome features set in a stern expression. "Stella, go

responded coldly and indifferently, "No, I haven't finished

on an icy edge. "Stella, this is the last

immediately, it would lead to a confrontation far beyond a

kneeling at his feet as she begged him

down at her, asking, "Do you realize your

something she hadn't done. Haynes always

thought, a silent, knowing smile played on Stella's lips as she softly

gaze hardened as his lips

sneered, "Mr. O'Brien, do whatever

she was ready to give up even that, leaving Haynes with

let's find another place to eat. The air here isn't quite to my

then nodded gently.

looking back at the group, Stella grabbed her purse