The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Haynes's tone turned icy. "That's ridiculous. Why would I even have a girlfriend?"

As he spoke, he looked up, catching Stella's reflection in the rearview mirror.

Stella, however, was listening intently to Marvin, seemingly oblivious to Neville's teasing.

Neville smirked, shooting Haynes a knowing look. "Well, if you're not seeing anyone, then whose lipstick is this? Belongs to a lady friend, maybe?"

"Neville." Haynes's voice dropped several degrees colder. "If you keep running your mouth, you can get out and walk."

Neville just laughed, unbothered. "Alright, alright, I'll drop it."

Just then, Haynes's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, frowned, and declined the call without hesitation.

Five minutes later, the phone rang again. This time, he silenced it without even looking.

Ten minutes passed in uneasy quiet before the screen lit up once more.

Neville finally spoke up. "Mr. O'Brien, aren't you going to answer your phone?" Haynes shot him a withering glare. "I'm driving. Not a good time."

"I could answer it for you, if you want," Neville offered, sounding almost helpful. Haynes's reply was glacial. "That won't be necessary."

"What if it's urgent? Wouldn't want to miss something

on the road, his expression unreadable. "It's none of your business.

smiled, unfazed, and let the matter

long, Keen's smartwatch began

driving, tensed. Before he could

"Rachel?"

speaker. "Keen, are

the wheel and

two

to the

"Which one? Maybe I'll come join

clearly caught

refuse, Rachel jumped in. "Actually, I left my

swing by to

struggling for words when Neville

say that lipstick didn't belong to Ms.

seemed startled, clearly recognizing Neville's voice "Keen, besides your dad, who else

honestly, "Mom, Mr. Connolly,