Chapter 18
Haynes felt a flicker of irritation rising and said curtly, “Enough.”
Jasper opened his mouth to protest, but Rachel stepped in, giving him a quick shake of her head. “Let it go, Jasper. It’s
Foreman’s birthday today. Let’s head inside.”
Noticing Haynes’ displeased expression, Jasper wisely decided to hold his tongue.
…
Inside the private room, Abby had initially planned to hire a few male entertainers, but Stella was against it, leaving Abby no
choice but to drop the idea with disappointment.
“The guys here are top-notch, real eye candy! Those six-packs, the feel of them… wow! You’d have to touch them to believe it,
simply irresistible.”
Stella replied, “I’m gearing up for a divorce with Haynes. I need to be cautious now. I don’t want to give them any ammo. I can’t
afford any slip-ups.”
Abby nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. There’s no need to hand them any weapons.”
Unable to sit still and lacking male company, Abby sang and danced to the music. A moment later, Stella’s phone buzzed. She
glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Antoney.
With a quick gesture to Abby, Stella slipped out to take the call.
Antoney was calling to discuss his plan to start a new studio. His contract with the agency was about to expire, and with Stella
contemplating a comeback, he thought it would be the perfect time to launch his venture. Stella agreed without hesitation.
After hanging up, Stella headed to the restroom. While leaving, she saw Rachel touching up her makeup at the sink.
Stella glanced at her before turning away to wash her hands.
As she was about to leave, Rachel called out to her. “Ms. Cameron.”
Stella turned around, “Yes?”
Rachel smiled softly and reached into her bag. “Take a look, Ms. Cameron. Do you recognize this?”
In Rachel’s hand was a simple but old-fashioned cross.
Stella’s breath caught for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly.
Rachel smiled. “I heard from Keen that you prayed for a whole day and night at the church with this cross when Keen was ill.”
Stella’s expression was cold. “What’s your point, Ms. Pearce?”
Rachel dangled the cross. “Keen told me his fever broke after you gave him this cross. So, he gifted it to me, hoping it would
bring me good health, too.”
When Keen was three, a severe fever had left him critically ill.
The doctors tried everything-medications, cold compresses-but nothing worked. They had even advised the family to prepare for
the worst, bringing Keen home for what they thought would be his final moments.
Haynes’ sister had suggested a euthanasia injection to spare Keen more suffering.
But Stella refused to give up, willing to try anything.
With the doctors at a loss, she turned to faith. Whether by coincidence or miracle,
the day she returned with the cross, Keen’s fever began to break. From that point on, his health steadily improved.
When Keen was still attached to her, he once said, “This is the cross Mom got for me. I’ll wear it every day and keep it safe.”
Stella had never imagined this cross would be in Rachel’s hands one day.