The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 487

Haynes's gaze flickered as he looked over at Rachel.

She refused to meet his eyes, forcing a brittle smile that barely concealed the turmoil beneath. Her shifting gaze betrayed her true feelings, and Haynes's expression darkened. That look-she was hiding something. Was there more to this than anyone had let on?

Jasper, still indignant, opened his mouth to say more, but Haynes cut him off. "Enough. They're both soaked to the bone. Let's get them home before they catch cold. We can talk about this later."

Jasper assumed Haynes was worried about Rachel's well-being. With a cold glare at Stella, he muttered, "You're finished," then swept Rachel into his arms and left.

The moment they were gone, Stella turned to leave as well. But Haynes stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "You should change out of those wet clothes before you go," he said quietly.

"It's fine," Stella replied flatly.

"You'll catch your death walking home like that.”

The familiar concern in his voice took her off guard, stirring memories she'd thought she'd buried. Before Rachel's return, things between her and Haynes had never been passionate, but there had been a certain quiet respect. He hadn't always been cold to her; sometimes, he'd even shown a trace of care.

She remembered one rainy afternoon when she'd picked up Keen from school. A downpour had come out of nowhere, and she'd shielded Keen with her own coat, ending up drenched. Haynes had just gotten home from a business trip. When he saw her soaked through, he'd simply said, "Run a hot bath and get changed-you don't want to catch a chill."

his rare concern,

there was nothing left inside her but

of your business," Stella said

that, she brushed past

Haynes reached out, unwilling to let

smile. "Are you hoping I'll go home and play that

to stop her, but the hesitation was all Stella needed. In a blink, she slipped past him

silence, but in the end, he didn't go

rehearsal was

that proved Rachel had tried to harm her. It might not be enough to put Rachel behind bars, but if she

had

the same time-direct competitors. Stella had never shied away from a fair fight. In her world, healthy rivalry only pushed a

Kon

Rachel had never been content with honest competition. She'd

Stella felt no obligation to be