The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 161

Stella gazed at him, her eyes steady. "If I could afford to support him, would you give him to me?"

Haynes shook his head sharply. "Not a chance."

Stella met his gaze, her voice calm but firm. "What if I insist on having him?"

Haynes's response was cold and unyielding. "Stella, you don't stand a chance against me."

"Yeah," Stella replied with a hint of sarcasm, "Even if it went to court, I'm just a stay-at-home mom with no real income. There's no way a judge would grant me custody."

She held his gaze, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. "I gave up everything—my career, my independence to raise our child. And now the court says that makes me less of a parent? Because I chose diapers over deadlines? Because I don't have a paycheck to prove my worth?" Her breath hitched. "Tell me, Haynes... do you even believe this child is still mine too?"

If she had any standing or connections, perhaps she'd have a chance at custody of Keen. But she was alone, without any support, and Deanna had never liked her.

kept his distance, avoiding her eyes whenever they met. Some days she wondered if he'd grown ashamed

She knew it was a losing battle. From the moment she decided to leave, she'd been ready to walk away

a claim. If Haynes had just signed them, it would have been the end of

patient person would have their limits, and they were pushing hers. If they were going to be heartless, she wouldn't hold

a sense of unease stirred within him. It felt

a detached calm, "What if I

waver. "It's better for both of us to part amicably, for Keen's sake. I don't want this to turn ugly. Haynes, you wouldn't want the public

with Neville supporting her, she had the power

scene.

company's stock plummeting.

eyes were dark, unreadable. "Stella, have you considered what might happen if

you can do matters," Stella replied fearlessly. "I'm willing to walk away from my child. What else