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.

precautions, that's exactly what

clear as day. Coward. You had the guts to stir up trouble, but not to face the consequences—and now Stella's left

her mind, Abby silently tallied every

to let him have it when Stella

"That's enough, Abby."

done no amount of arguing would change

Haynes. "If there's nothing else, you

to explain himself, and the fact that he'd bothered to say this much to Abby

about to speak when, at last,

I

turned to look

Cameron in that crash. If I wanted a little payback, I don't think anyone could blame me. He tried to