Chapter 140
No one could say exactly how long it had been when Haynes’ voice, clear and cool, finally cut through the biting wind.
“Regardless of everything, Rachel and I…well, that’s in the past. Rachel doesn’t have much time left, and discussing this now is pointless. Stella, don’t you want to give Keen a complete family?”
Haynes didn’t deny it. That was as good as admitting it.
Stella never imagined she’d end up being Rachel’s stand-in in such a twisted way.
It was almost comical, thinking back to those countless lonely nights when she lay awake, feeling Haynes’ neglect like a cold shadow. She used to remember how he once protected her, stood by her side, and showered her with affection.
She tried to believe Haynes had loved her-but now even those memories felt like a sick joke.
Stella spoke up, “So because Rachel doesn’t have much time left to play mom for Keen and wife for you, that’s why you haven’t filed for a divorce, right?”
If Rachel had years ahead of her, those two would likely have kicked her to the curb in no time.
She was merely the fallback option for Haynes and Keen.
Haynes finally lost his patience. “Stella, can you stop being so unreasonable?”
“If you think I’m unreasonable, then just go ahead and divorce me.”
It was hard to believe that just a month ago, she was tormented by sleepless nights over him and Rachel. Even when she watched Haynes and Rachel hold their so-called “mock wedding” to make up for lost time, she had gritted her teeth and endured it.
She thought she couldn’t leave Haynes, who had given her a home, nor Keen, whom she had risked everything to bring into the world.
She’d lied to herself: So what if he didn’t love her? At least Keen would have the best life she could provide. For her child, she’d swallow every humiliation.
In her darkest moments, she had even counted down the days, wickedly hoping Rachel would pass on sooner.
She deceived herself into believing that once Rachel was gone, things would go back to the way they were.
But now, all she felt was a numbing indifference.
Stella chuckled softly, her elegant features tinged with a cold defiance.
“You all think I’ve been bullying Rachel, don’t you? If you don’t divorce me, she might just have a rough time ahead.”
Haynes blinked, momentarily taken aback.
This was a side of her he had never seen.
Suddenly, the woman standing before him seemed like a stranger.
Though he’d been married to Stella for five years and they had a child, his overall impression of her was shallow at best.
She was everything a wife should be gentle, beautiful, devoted-yet as exciting
as lukewarm water. The only flaw? Her bloodline. Not that he needed status; his power was already absolute.
Even when Rachel first came back, Stella’s understanding demeanor had pleased him.
But recently, Stella had become someone entirely unlike herself.
He even felt he had never truly known Stella.
Haynes’ lips barely moved, his voice still carrying an unyielding authority.
“I won’t agree to a divorce, and you should just abandon the idea.”
Stella replied nonchalantly, “Isn’t Ms. Pearce supposed to have another six months to live? If I keep ‘bullying’ her, maybe…she’ll only have a few months left.”
Haynes’ cool eyes hardened with a thin layer of ice.
“Stella, I acknowledge that some past events have wronged you. Hence, I’m willing to overlook the things you’ve done recently.”