The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 162

Haynes's voice dropped to an arctic whisper. "And if I refuse?"

"Whether Ms. Pearce gets her happy ending... who knows?" The shrug was audible in their voice.

Haynes's stare turned deadly serious, the kind that makes your skin prickle. "Stella, you're pushing your luck."

Stella's eyelashes fluttered as she met Haynes's intense stare. Her eyes were unwavering.

"Oh, so you can threaten those I care about, and that's just fine, but if I use your beloved Rachel as leverage, suddenly I'm crossing a line?"

"Haynes, I've never wanted to drag others into our mess. If Rachel hadn't repeatedly shoved her way into my life, I wouldn't have bothered with her."

"If you have grievances with me, bring them to me directly. But if you so much as lay a finger on my friends..."

Stella leaned in, her voice steady and biting, each word deliberate.

Rachel ends up in hot water,

that instant, he realized the woman he thought he could easily control was far more formidable than he

swallowed, and after a few tense seconds, he tossed the divorce

a divorce, fine. But I

surprised. "What are your terms, then? Just lay

voice cool. "You leave

Leave with nothing? Funny.

ironic, really. Haynes had given Rachel

mouth to speak, Haynes cut her off. "Take your time to think it over. Even

calmly. "If that's all, I'll

Haynes didn't respond.

hesitation, no backward look. Then

flicked up to meet hers.

up a nearby glass of water. "Oh, just one more thing I

thirsty after all that talking? But before he could fully process the thought, the icy water