The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

It was more than likely that Karl had pinned the blame for this whole mess on Stella—why else would he be coming after her a second time?

After all, no man would tolerate such a humiliating attack, especially someone like Karl, who had a reputation to uphold.

Stella found herself agreeing with Joshua's logic.

Abby, on the other hand, was seething with anger and had nothing but contempt for Haynes. "Honestly, Haynes, you're more trouble than you're worth,” she spat. “We could've handled Star's problems ourselves. You didn't have to butt in and make everything worse.

I can't even tell if you were trying to avenge her, or just looking for an excuse to get back at her yourself. You stirred up all this trouble, but Karl's taking it out on Star. If you hadn't played hero last time, Karl wouldn't have it out for her, and the accident never would've happened.”

Abby couldn't deny the satisfaction she felt when Haynes struck back at Karl. But if you're going to stand up for Stella, at least clean up the mess you leave behind. Don't go picking a fight and then expect her to pay the price. That's not helping—it's making things worse.

Haynes frowned, his tone even. “Like I said, I only sent someone to rough him up a little. I never told anyone to humiliate him. And I never tried to hide that it was me who did it.”

He hadn't exactly covered his tracks. Anyone who bothered to look would figure out he was behind it. Haynes wasn't afraid of Karl's retaliation-in fact, he'd been careful not to go too far, precisely because he didn't want Karl turning his anger on Stella.

despite his precautions, that's exactly what Karl

not to face the consequences—and now Stella's left to deal with the fallout. Has Rachel really scrambled your brains this badly? Take

her mind, Abby silently tallied every

to let him have it when Stella

"That's enough, Abby."

amount

to Haynes. "If there's nothing else, you

fact that he'd bothered to say this much to Abby was unusual for him. His gaze shifted back

being unreasonable, and was about to speak

I did

to look at

don't think anyone could blame me. He tried to take my life; I just made