The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Haynes wanted to ask, Why didn't you tell me?

But when the words reached his lips, he couldn't say them.

Stella caught the look in his eye and gave a soft, wry smile.

"What's wrong? Hard to say, isn't it? I told you before, but you never took me seriously.

When I was kidnapped-when I was utterly desperate-I called you. Do you remember what you said to me?"

She met Haynes's gaze, her words crisp and deliberate. "You said, 'Stella, I can't stand women who use tears and drama to get their way. Rachel's in the middle of surgery-don't start making a scene.'

Later, you and Jasper saw me at the hospital.

Jasper accused me of stalking you, said I was putting on a show, called me an actress.

And you? You didn't even ask what happened-you just warned me to stop playing games and manipulating people."

Stella paused, then continued, her voice steady. "And that time I had a fever-you were out on vacation with Rachel and Keen.

After dropping Keen off at your family's house, you didn't come home. You left on a business trip.

It wasn't until the next day, when Maisie realized I hadn't come downstairs, that she rushed me to the hospital."

She looked at Haynes, shaking her head in disbelief.

"I must have been a fool, thinking I'd get help from you."

If it were now, she would have just called 911 without hesitation.

Looking back, she realized she'd only called Haynes because, deep down, she still hoped for a little concern, a little kindness—just a sign that he cared.

Haynes pressed his lips together, then finally said, "I'm sorry."

Stella's voice was calm, almost indifferent. "We're divorced, Haynes. You don't owe me an apology anymore."

Three little words-so worthless compared to the pain she'd endured.

...

Stella knew tonight's problems wouldn't be solved so easily.

Never mind why Sellers's brakes failed for now-just from the way Jonathannoveldrama

looked when Aurora got hurt, like the sky was falling, she knew this wouldn't end quietly.

Sellers and Sherman weren't the type to let things go, and with Jonathan involved too...

One against three. Not odds in her favor.

She glanced at the time. It was past eleven.

Late, but not too late to call for backup.

She was just about to dial Abby when someone knocked gently on the hospital room door.

Stella assumed it was Jonathan.

But when she opened the door, she was momentarily surprised to see who stood on the threshold.

"Mr. Connolly? What are you doing here?"

Neville Connolly leaned against the doorframe, a hint of a lazy smile playing on his lips.

"My assistant said he saw you at the hospital, so I thought I'd drop by."

He peered past her into the room. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

Stella stepped aside quickly. "Of course, Mr. Connolly. Please, come in."

She was alone in the room. Haynes had left a little while ago-she hadn't bothered to ask where he went Maybe to check on Aurora, maybe Rachel called him, maybe he just had somewhere better to be.

Whatever.

Neville's gaze landed on her swollen, reddened wrist. His expression turned unusually serious.

"Star, what happened? How did you hurt your hand?"

Stella didn't hide anything from him. She told him everything-how it started, how it ended.

Neville listened, then said in a low, steady voice, "Something about this doesn't add up. I'll have my people look into it right away."

Stella didn't protest. "Thank you."

After giving a few instructions over the phone, Neville turned back to

her. "Star, this is a tangled mess-it'll take time to sort out. But I've already called our attorney. He's on his way."

He paused, voice thoughtful. "Let's leave the brake issue aside for now. Sellers and Sherman have a history with you, and you were the one who stopped their car tonight. They'll use this against you if they can."