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 it,

didn't miss my

softened. "Do

take a moment to think. "No.

glanced subtly toward the door. The faintest

smile touched the

he turned and

but suddenly he didn't

known, deep down, that Stella had moved on. But hearing

felt like a sledgehammer

don't"—echoed

bitter smile flickered across his

this on

understood Keen's

him wished Stella

was before. But

he realized

life—free and unburdened—was

what she truly deserved.

of her, would he still be

...

huddled in the corner, barely

looked gaunt, his entire body

precise cuts from a

the injuries had

with

never been so utterly

he had been consigned to the

but whenever he did, he made

imaginable method

left Sellers

Sellers clung to

he could just