The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 26

"Stella, for the hundredth time, I've explained it. Rachel and I aren't what you're imagining. Can we drop this constant suspicion?"

Stella responded with a cold detachment, "Whatever your relationship with Rachel is doesn't concern me anymore. I've signed the divorce papers. When can we finalize this?"

"Divorce?" Haynes let out a dry, sardonic chuckle. "Stella, you've been a stay-at- home mom for five years. Without our marriage, what will you do? You might not even make ends meet on your own."

"And as for Keen, you're not getting custody. Even if it goes to court, you stand no chance with no job or income. A clever woman knows when to quit while she's ahead. Push too hard, and it'll backfire."

Stella felt a chill settle in her bones. All her years of dedication had become her Achilles' heel, a bargaining chip for others to manipulate.

Even Keen, whom she had raised since he was a baby, seemed resentful toward her.

a failure

said, "No job, no income? Before Keen was born,

you

salary amount to? Better to focus

"True. I might not have Mr. O'Brien's knack for making a

wouldn't have to endure your family's jabs about being a

sacrificed so much for her family and

care so much

and venomous. Jasper's, on the other hand, was a blade unsheathed, glinting

"If you're so noble, why do you care what I say to Rachel? Besides, I meant no harm to Ms. Pearce,

faded. "Stella, do you have to keep pushing