The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Haynes's voice was low and hoarse. "That's not what I meant. You misunderstood. I just..."

He looked as if he wanted to explain, but in the end, he gave up.

He simply said, "I'm sorry. It's my fault."

Stella glared at him with undisguised contempt. "Haynes, when are you finally going to stop showing up just to bother me? Is divorce not enough to get rid of you? Or do I have to leave this world entirely before you'll let me go?"

A flicker of wounded disbelief crossed Haynes's eyes.

"Star, do you really hate me that much?"

Stella's lips curled in a cold, careless smile. "Haynes, is this the first time you're realizing it? This past year, you and Rachel haven't just disgusted me-you've made my skin crawl. The mere sight of you two makes me sick to my stomach."

Her words hit Haynes like a slap, and for a moment, anger flashed in his eyes. "So who is it you like? Neville? Is that why you'd rather walk out on your husband and your child just to get away from me?"

the past. He'd never once believed he'd done anything wrong; never even

and distant. "Whoever

dangerous flush crept into Haynes's gaze. "So

at the storm of anger twisting his features, Stella couldn't help but

look like some poor guy who's just been betrayed? Are you really that angry? For what it's worth, at least I waited until we were divorced to let

nothing going on between me and her.

her patience worn thin. "You and Rachel were practically inseparable, always clinging to each other, and you want to claim you were innocent? So if I end up in Neville's arms, what's the

opened his

watching him with a mocking, knowing

Rachel in his arms when she'd fallen ill. At

ver

her of being petty toward

had started to get under his skin.

But Star, you don't have to go running to Neville just to get back

stared at him