The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 975

For both of them, this was already an uncomfortably personal question.

Still, Stella answered honestly. "Not at the moment."

"And in the future?" Joshua pressed.

"The future?" Stella paused to consider. "Who can really say what's to come?"

Joshua's gaze was steady. "Would you ever get back together with Haynes for the

sake of your child?"

This time, Stella barely hesitated. She shook her head instinctively.

"No. I wouldn't."

Outside the door, Haynes had just raised his hand to knock. He froze at her

words.

Joshua's voice carried through the door again. "You were together for five years,

you have a child... Are you really able to let go?"

Stella's reply was immediate. "Forcing ourselves to stay together for our child's

sake would only be unfair—to him, to ourselves, and to the very idea of marriage.

I used to put up with so much in that relationship, all because of Keen.

I thought I was sacrificing a lot for our family, but the truth is, neither Keen nor

Haynes needed that from me.

And all the while, I felt indescribably wronged... I suppose that's just another form

of emotional blackmail.

may have been late to realize

didn't

tone softened. "Do you still love

a moment to think. "No. I

glanced subtly toward the door. The faintest

touched the

he turned

wasn't sure why, but suddenly he didn't know how to

always known, deep down, that Stella had moved

loud felt like a sledgehammer slamming

don't"—echoed

smile flickered

brought this on

understood Keen's inner

of him wished Stella

before. But

now, he

life—free and unburdened—was

what she truly deserved.

side of her, would he still be so hung

...

huddled in the corner, barely

entire body covered in gruesome wounds—whip

neat, precise cuts from

of the injuries had begun

basement was thick with the stench of

been so

been consigned

come every day, but whenever he did,

every imaginable method

time, he left

clung

just