The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 22

Suddenly, Rachel's eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling, "Ms. Cameron, you don't need to remind me. I know I don't have much time left."

"Ms. Cameron, you're right. What Haynes gave me is all a sham. I'm sorry. That wedding should have been yours..."

Before she could finish, a furious shout echoed from behind Stella. "What do you mean God favors Rachel? Stella, who are you cursing?"

Stella turned around to see three figures standing not far away.

Jasper surged forward, his features contorted by a rage that seemed to ripple the air between them. "Stella," he spat, each syllable a dagger, "how dare you drag Rachel's name through the mud? Have you lost your mind?"

Beside him, Foreman Richards arched a brow, his calm a deliberate counterpoint to Jasper's storm. "Easy, Jasper," he interjected, his voice a steadying hand. "Condemnation without evidence is its own kind of madness."

But Jasper, clearly still furious, cut him off. "What misunderstanding could there be? You and Haynie heard her loud and clear! She's jealous of Rachel's popularity and says God favors Rachel as if wishing her dead!"

innocent act before everyone and bullies Rachel behind their backs. If we hadn't overheard, who knows how long she'd

you red-handed this

guilt or panic. She had suspected from the moment Rachel's demeanor changed that they might not be

was, Rachel played her usual trick

sheathed in velvet, "Stella remains Haynes' wife. Her

his steps faltering. He turned to Haynes, "Haynie, you heard it, too. You

lips pressed into a thin line, an icy aura surrounding him. "Stella,

pissed, and that's bad

Jasper's taunting, Stella remained

Was it his feeling, or

to justify herself. But today,

frustration mounting as he looked at Stella's indifferent

told him that Stella had