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

"Do you still love

a moment to think. "No.

subtly toward the door.

touched the corners

Instead, he turned and walked

but suddenly he didn't

down, that Stella had moved

like a sledgehammer

three words—"I don't"—echoed

smile flickered across

this

he understood Keen's

him wished Stella could

was before.

now, he realized

life—free and unburdened—was

what she truly deserved.

he had never seen this side of her, would he still be so hung up on

...

huddled

gaunt, his entire body covered

precise cuts from

injuries had

whole basement was thick with the stench

had never been so utterly broken in his

been consigned to the

come every day, but whenever he

imaginable

he left Sellers

clung

could just hold out until