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?"

Stella are your enemies. Even if you're leaving Aetheria, you can't just let them ride off into the sunset together. After all this, Haynes is sure to chase after Stella, probably beg her to take

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

Rachel clenched her teeth.

this, Haynes had been obsessed with getting Stella back. Now, he'd only double

Even if she was leaving, she couldn't

her, and Rachel began

me a little more time. Let me settle the score with them before we

whenever

would take her away.

left, she

city upside down. Conto

hanging up,

an hour later, the doorbell

flip

gleam flashed in Rachel's eyes. She glanced at the empty wine bottles scattered around the room? grabbed another from the table, and took a long, hard swallow. Only then did she stagger to her feet and open the

are

mid-sentence, catching the heavy scent of