The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 559

Before Haynes could speak, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing louder by the second.

"Haynie! Pick Rachel!"

Jasper Wilkinson came hobbling in, clearly having rushed over-though how he'd even heard what was happening was anyone's guess.

Haynes frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Jasper's face was drawn with anxiety. "If I hadn't come, Rachel would be doomed today! Haynie, you have to pick Rachel!"

"Rachel's wish isn't fulfilled. She's only got a few months left-it can't end for her like this!"

He'd barely managed to get out of bed this morning, still sore from the beating Galen Wilkinson had given him the night before. He'd intended to stay home and recover, but then Foreman had called: Rachel's been kidnapped.

That was all Jasper needed to hear. He'd rushed over as fast as he could, terrified that if he arrived even a moment too late, Rachel would already be dead.

Haynes's voice was cool, rational, cutting through the tension. “If she only has a few months left, why not pick someone who actually has a future?"

Jasper stared at him, stunned, unable to believe what he'd just heard.

Was this really Haynes talking? Hadn't he always favored Rachel above everyone else?

running out of time. Let her last hope go to someone who still

to Rachel. "Isn't

carefully crafted mask of vulnerability cracked. She managed a weak, forced smile. "...Haynie's right. There's no point saving

at Keen,

mother. Don't worry about

Uncertainty flickered in his eyes. His small face twisted with confusion, but after a moment, he nodded ever

fury welling up inside

No matter how much I did for

Jasper's angry shout cut through the

Stella's life matters, but

went colder still. "And what do you

blurted

Keen and the others are in the kidnapper's hands. You tell me how are we supposed to save

struggling for words. “Didn't the kidnapper just say you had to choose? If you pick Rachel, won't that

as he realized how flimsy the argument

soon enough, he rallied.

my life to draw your pursuers away-if Rachel

saway