The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

A flash of anger darkened Haynes' eyes as he strode purposefully toward Stella.

Stella's foot slipped, and she nearly lost her balance, but Neville reacted quickly, steadying her before she could fall.

"Thank you," Stella murmured.

She had barely straightened up when a powerful force wrenched her and Neville apart.

Caught off guard, Stella stumbled back two steps and nearly slipped again on the loose gravel beneath her feet.

"Star!" Neville instinctively reached out to catch her.

But before he could, another hand seized Stella's wrist, yanking her forward.

"Stella, Neville-just what do you think you're doing?" Haynes' voice cut through the air, cold and sharp.

Neville gripped Stella's other wrist. "Let go of her, Haynes."

Haynes' expression was icy, his lips pressed into a thin line. He spoke each word slowly, his tone like frost: "You're the one who should let go."

Stella's face paled when she saw who it was.

"Haynes, what are you doing? Let me go!" She struggled, trying to break free from his grasp.

was like a steel trap-unyielding and impossible to escape. The more she resisted, the tighter his grip became, until a dull ache radiated

looked suddenly grim. "Haynes, Star is divorced from you. She has her own

out a cold laugh. "I

pulling

fast to her other hand, blocking their way. "Let her go, Haynes. She doesn't want

tightened even more. "If she doesn't want to come with me, does she

shooting through Stella's wrist made

That

at the sound of her distress. Seeing how pale she

however, didn't loosen his hold at all-in fact, his grip

said icily. "Are you

down and

face. He loosened his fingers, not gripping so hard anymore, but he still refused to tet go, as

softened. "Star, we need to

pain in her wrist eased slightly, but before

already pulling her away.

to

could

go. He only watch in silence

led Stella to a quiet, secluded corner. Only