Chapter 290
However, when Abby saw the two people trailing behind Haynes, her expression shifted ever so slightly. “That’s Jasper Wilkinson, the sycophant, and Rachel Pearce—the little innocent act herself… What are they doing here too?”
Stella Cameron shrugged. “Maybe they’re here to celebrate?”
Haynes approached them quickly, his handsome features calm and inscrutable, betraying no hint of emotion.
“Did you bring everything?”
Stella nodded. “All the documents are here.”
Haynes’s eyes, dark and magnetic, locked onto her. “That’s not what I meant.”
Stella glanced at Rachel behind him and smiled. “I brought Ms. Pearce’s medication too.”
She took the bag from Abby’s hand.
“Once the paperwork’s done and the final payment clears, this is all yours.”
Stella had come prepared with the full course of Rachel’s medication- businesslike and trustworthy, delivering both goods and her word.
Haynes reached out to take the bag, but Stella pulled it just out of his grasp.
“Not until the paperwork’s done and the payment’s in. I can’t give it to you before that.”
Haynes lowered his gaze, studying the woman before him.
Today, she wore a fiery red dress that made her fair skin and graceful figure stand out all the more. In his memory, she rarely wore such bold, striking colors. Even though she was more beautiful than Rachel, she’d always seemed muted, almost invisible, like a shadow in his recollection.
But lately, Stella felt different-alive, radiant, as if someone had taken a blank canvas and splashed it with every color imaginable.
She was dazzling now.
From the very beginning, Haynes had never wanted a divorce.
Stella was a good wife, a wonderful mother. They’d been married five years- even if the passion had never burned hot, there was still a bond between them. Besides, they had a child together.
He wanted to give Keen O’Brien a real family-something he never had himself. Deep down, he understood why Stella insisted on divorcing him.
She couldn’t stand Rachel’s presence in their lives.
But Rachel’s health was on the line—he couldn’t just turn his back on her.
When it came down to it, Rachel’s life was more important than his marriage.
As for Stella…
If he truly wanted, she’d never be able to leave him. Especially with Keen in the picture.
Let her cool off for a while, he thought. Once he sorted out Rachel’s situation, there would be time to patch things up. He always had a way with Stella.
She was the mother of his child, after all-he was willing to give her another chance.
Haynes looked straight at Stella. “If you agree to call off the divorce and the waiting period, I’ll keep my promises-and I’ll help you with your career, just like I said…”
Before he could finish, Jasper cut him off in a rush.
“Haynes, this woman’s been using your name to swindle people left and right! Who knows how much she’s cost you already? If you don’t go through with the
divorce, she’ll just keep it up once she gets a taste for it!”
Stella glanced at Jasper, a small, amused smile on her lips.
“Mr. Wilkinson’s right. I never realized how much fun it was to be Mrs. O’Brien- apparently, just the name gets you anything you want.”
She stepped closer, stopping just in front of Jasper.
“Jasper, doesn’t this dress look familiar to you? It’s the crown jewel from your company’s head designer-just this piece cost nearly a million dollars.”
“It’s the first time I’ve ever worn anything so expensive. You really do get what you pay for the way it feels is something else.”
Stella looked down, admiring the garment. “They say every sparkling stone on this dress is a real diamond-top quality, too. Not the leftovers or tiny chips, but full, flawless gems.”