The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"Why is it that you take the fall for every mistake, while Haynes gets to just disappear and live his life unscathed?"

Rachel's grip on her phone tightened suddenly.

Yeah, Haynes was the one who initiated the divorce. The house and the studio- he gave those up willingly. If he hadn't wanted to, no one could have forced him. And yet, now she was the one left carrying all the blame and public scorn.

Joshua's voice came through again. "Don't you ever think about getting back at Haynes before you leave Aetheria for good? You're leaving anyway-what's left to be afraid of?"

Revenge?

Rachel felt the blood in her veins grow cold.

Haynes had power, connections. He wasn't someone she could just mess with and walk away unscathed.

She hesitated, then said, "Getting back at Stella would be easier than going after Haynes... Maybe I should focus on her instead?"

Joshua replied, “Stella's got those bodyguards around her, and they're no joke. Even I'd have a hard time getting close. Rachel, if you try and fail, you'll end up in prison, and there's not much I can do to get you out. If Haynes wants to prove his loyalty to Stella by making your life hell behind bars, I wouldn't be able to stop him."

Rachel shivered. "Then what do you think I should do?"

them ride off into the sunset together. After all this, Haynes is sure to chase after Stella, probably beg her to take him back. Everything you did was just some test of their relationship-none of it mattered in

added, "By the way... the reason Stella went public with your dirty laundry was because Haynes had someone spread rumors about me that I was some rich woman's plaything, that I was sleeping with Stella. Stella was furious that Haynes would slander her like that, so she retaliated by

Rachel clenched her teeth.

obsessed with getting

leaving, she couldn't let them

thought simmered inside her, and

Joshua, "Give me a little more time. Let me

whenever

would take her away.

left, she

city upside down. Conto

hanging up,

later, the doorbell

flip

grabbed another from the table, and took a long, hard swallow. Only

why are you

stopped mid-sentence, catching the heavy scent