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.

afraid to walk away with nothing to lose. If Rachel ends up in hot water,

In that instant, he realized the woman he thought he could easily control was

Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, and after a few tense seconds, he tossed the divorce papers

a divorce, fine. But I won't agree to split my

"What are your terms, then? Just

sank into the nearby couch, his voice cool. "You

Leave with nothing? Funny.

much as blink. No sorrow, no regret-just cool indifference. It was ironic, really. Haynes had given Rachel everything, no

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

"If that's all,

Haynes didn't respond.

Then came that telltale hitch in

meet

glass of water. "Oh, just

before he could fully process the thought, the icy water splashed across his face, dripping down his perfectly