The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

So what if Stella is more famous than her now? At the end of the day, she's still stuck in that shabby little apartment.

If Stella wanted to buy a place like this ocean-view villa, who knows how many years she'd have to save?

But for Rachel, a few well-timed tears were all it took to get whatever she wanted. Rachel had just tapped on the trending topics when her phone lit up again.

She glanced at the caller ID-Haynes. Her heart leapt, and her eyes sparkled with surprise.

How long had it been since Haynes last called her?

She answered immediately, her voice soft and eager. "Haynie..."

She didn't even finish before his voice cut through, low and cold.

"Rachel, how long did you think you could keep lying to me?"

Rachel froze. "Haynie, what are you talking about? I don't understand—"

She had lied to Haynes so many times that, for a moment, she couldn't even tell which secret he'd uncovered.

His voice was colder still, laced with unmistakable disgust.

is talking about how you've

had-and because you saved Jasper-I've

could to fulfill

all this time, you've been lying

you really think I'd enjoy being made a fool

simmered just beneath the surface, so intense it made Rachel's blood

explain, "Haynie, there must be some mistake! You know Ms. Cameron has always misunderstood me, that's probably

Haynes cut her

joking

faint-is that just some elaborate

was stunned. "Video?

she remembered that call she'd gotten not long ago, the

had

finally lost her patience and made a move against her. With any luck, she could play the victim

no idea what Stella had actually

to be concrete evidence. He wouldn't believe rumors, and he never got

fumbled for her phone and pulled

ten