As Stella’s serious expression settled in, a sense of unease washed over Keen. Haynes, sensing something was off, furrowed his brow.

“Stella, what are you planning to do?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of tension.

Stella ignored him and turned her gaze toward Keen. “I haven’t been home for a while, and I’m sure you’ve noticed. I’ve packed up my things, and I won’t be coming back. I wanted you to know that your dad and I are planning to get a divorce. You’ll be staying with him.”

Keen stood there, stunned. “Divorce?” He was just five, but he knew what that word meant.

Stella nodded, about to explain further, but Haynes cut her off, his face twisted in a mixture of confusion and anger. “Stella, do you really have to say this in front of him?”

“Why not?” Stella replied with a hint of amusement. “He has the right to know. Your son talks about freedom, equality, and respect. Besides, when you humiliated me by making me apologize to Rachel, you didn’t seem to care about his feelings.”

Haynes’ expression darkened. “Stella, you’re arguing with me, not with a child. Keen is your son.”

Stella scoffed, “Other than being born from me, I don’t see how he’s my son. Your so-called son is always siding with outsiders, pandering to them.”

Haynes sighed and said, “If he doesn’t like you, you need to deal with that. Stop pointing fingers at others and take a look at yourself.”

Stella met his gaze and retorted, “So, when you favor outsiders over me, is that also my fault?”

Haynes paused, unable to find the words. Stella had been a good wife; he had no reason to complain even after Rachel came back into their lives.

“Stella, I’ve told you before. Rachel and I aren’t as you think. Why can’t you get past this? Back then, when my career was taking off and my company was at a critical stage, my mother tried to separate us by kidnapping Rachel and using all sorts of threats. Rachel left to not be my weakness. In those years abroad, she developed depression and later a terminal illness due to prolonged stress. Stella, I owe her a lot. You know I can’t just ignore her.”

Stella clapped slowly, a sarcastic smile on her lips. “What a touching story. But…”

Her tone shifted to one of clear disdain. “What you owe Rachel is none of my business. Why should I suffer to accommodate your twisted affair?”

Her words were sharp and direct, her eyes locked intently onto Haynes.

“Haynes, let me be clear. This divorce is happening.”

Haynes met her gaze, his eyes as deep and unreadable as a dark pool. “You really want a divorce?”

Stella let out a derisive laugh. “Do you think I’m bluffing?”

“Isn’t that what you’re doing?”

Stella raised an eyebrow, “Has Rachel filled your head with delusions, making you so self-absorbed?”

A slight smirk played on Haynes’ lips. “Stella, if you truly wanted a divorce, you’d discuss it privately, not in front of Keen. Aren’t you just trying to get him to stop us?”