The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

At Jasper's words, he immediately assured, "Haynie, don't worry. I swear-I won't ever go after Stella again."

Haynes frowned, but shook his head. "That's not what I wanted to talk about."

"Then what is it?" Jasper asked, confused.

Haynes grew quiet for a few moments, then finally spoke. "I want you to take care of Rachel for however much time she has left."

Jasper was taken aback. "I've always looked after Rachel..."

His voice faltered. Suddenly, he understood what Haynes really meant by "taking care."

He shot up, alarmed. "Haynie, what do you mean? Are you saying—you're just going to walk away from Rachel?!"

Haynes's voice was cold and detached. "Whatever I owed Rachel, I've paid back in full. Because of her, I lost my marriage and forked over another hundred million. I've done enough to repay the debts of the past.”

He paused, then added, "Jasper, you know as well as I do-Keen can't grow up without a mother. I'm done letting Rachel's problems ruin things between me and Stella. If you agree to this, I'll talk directly to your father and make sure you get the heir's position. If you refuse..."

ease leaving Rachel in your care, it's not as if

underlying threat and stared at him

From the very beginning, he'd never intended to divorce

expected. Instead, Stella

going to be, he'd solve the problem at its root-by

carefully. Even if you say no, there are others who will say

warning in his

not even

muttered that maybe Haynes didn't care about her as much

mind quickly. "Haynie, I'll do it. I

the scenes. Without the position of family head Jasper would never be able to stand up to him. If he refused Haynes's offer, and something happened to

him

he'd always liked her. And she

things considered, the benefits far

struggle with Sellers and had no energy

with your father tonight. I'll handle things with