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!"

and bullies Rachel behind their backs. If we hadn't overheard, who knows how long she'd have fooled

"Caught you red-handed this

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

it was, Rachel played her usual

nodded, a gesture of greeting. "Jasper," he warned, his tone a blade sheathed in velvet, "Stella remains Haynes' wife. Her missteps -

you heard it, too. You can't let her

tension, his lips pressed into a thin line, an icy aura surrounding him.

pissed, and that's bad news

Jasper's taunting, Stella remained silent, her gaze

a bit stunned. Was it his feeling, or

been quick to justify herself. But

as he looked at

had told him that Stella had come there