Chapter 219
“By the way,” Jasper chimed in, “they’re going on a date tomorrow!”
Rachel’s expression shifted dramatically. “A date? Where are they going?”
“I’m not sure,” Jasper replied, “but I think I heard Stella mention something about ten o’clock in the morning. Rachel, you can’t let Stella get her way!”
A determined glint flashed in Rachel’s eyes. “Got it.”
When Abby Murphy heard about Marvin’s accident and his stay in the hospital, she rushed over to check on him. Seeing that he was okay, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly remembering something, she turned to Stella. “Oh, by the way, Star, aren’t you and Antoney performing at the charity event at the end of this month? He’s got some free time tomorrow and suggested you both rehearse in your newly renovated studio.”
“Tomorrow…” Stella hesitated for a moment, not giving an immediate answer.
Abby looked surprised. “What’s up? Are you busy tomorrow?”
With Marvin at daycare, Stella usually didn’t have much on her plate.
After a moment’s thought, Stella decided to be upfront. “I’m going to the courthouse with Haynes to finalize our divorce.”
Abby was taken aback. “You’re actually going through with the divorce from Haynes?!”
The conversation caught the attention of Neville and his son, who both turned to look at her.
Stella nodded. “Yes.”
“Haynes agreed to it?”
A faintly sarcastic smile touched Stella’s lips. “I’m leaving without a penny. How could he refuse?”
Abby scoffed. “I remember when you first brought up divorce. He never believed you, thought you were playing games. I figured he was making excuses, not wanting the divorce. But now it seems like he’s trying to leave you with nothing.”
Stella appeared unfazed. “If it goes through the courts, and he doesn’t cooperate, it could take at least two years. But if he agrees, it’ll only take a month at most. As long as the divorce happens, I don’t care about any assets.”
Abby nodded in agreement. “Better to get it done quickly. If you wait two more years and he changes his mind, you could be stuck. Especially with Rachel only having a few months left. Once she’s gone, he might try to come back to you.”
“A few months left?” Stella raised an eyebrow. “Do you really believe she’s terminally ill?”
Abby pondered for a few seconds. “Her behavior doesn’t scream ‘dying.’ Who has time to scheme and meddle while supposedly on their deathbed? And she’s always buzzing around a married man… I think she’s faking it.”
Neville suddenly asked, “What exactly is she supposed to be sick with?”
Stella shook her head. “I don’t know. Haynes never said.”
She’d long suspected Rachel wasn’t as ill as she claimed. But without proof, Stella kept her thoughts to herself. Whenever she asked Haynes about Rachel’s illness, he was evasive, saying it wasn’t her concern.
Eventually, she stopped asking. She was curious, though, to see if Rachel would really kick the bucket when her supposed time came.
Marvin looked up with bright eyes. “Stella, are you really going to divorce Mr. O’Brien?”
Stella looked at Marvin’s eager face and asked, “Do you really want me to divorce Mr. O’Brien?”