Chapter 41
Neville flashed a wry smile. “Mr. O’Brien, when Star got cornered earlier, you weren’t here to save her. Are you trying to steal my thunder now?”
Haynes’ eyes darkened, lost for words.
Standing nearby, Rachel piped up in Haynes’ defense. “Haynie just got here. He didn’t mean to leave Ms. Cameron hanging.”
Neville’s lips curled. “When the reporters swarmed Ms. Pearce, Mr. O’Brien reprimanded them quickly. Yet, when they slandered Star with all sorts of rumors, there wasn’t a peep out of him in her defense.”
Rachel cut in impatiently, “Ms. Cameron has already admitted to some of those claims herself. They’re facts now, not rumors. If you don’t believe it, Mr. Connolly, why not ask her yourself?”
Neville didn’t even glance at Rachel, his focus fixed on Haynes. “Mr. O’Brien, is that what you think, too?”
Haynes’ eyes were deep, his gaze lingering on Stella. “Are you coming down or not?”
It seemed Neville’s words were falling on deaf ears. Talking to Haynes was like talking to a brick wall. Stella spoke softly, “Mr. Connolly, can you please take me to the hospital first?”
Neville chuckled lightly, “At your service, Star.”
As Neville carried Stella past Haynes, a cool breeze followed in their wake.
At the hospital, the doctor examined Stella’s foot. It was just a minor scrape, nothing serious.
Neville stepped out to take a call, and Stella, leaning back in the chair, drifted off to sleep.
Her dreams were a jumble of bizarre images. Rachel’s malicious grin appeared, and then Haynes and Keen pushed her into a nightmarish abyss.
Stella jolted awake with a start. Her breath came in quick gasps, and a light sheen of sweat covered her forehead.
“Bad dream?” A deep, calm voice broke the silence beside her, offering a few tissues.
Stella accepted them, murmuring, “Thanks.”
As she wiped her forehead, she turned to see a tall, familiar figure. She froze, blinking in surprise, then frowned. “Why are you here?”
Haynes noticed the chill in her expression and let out a humorless laugh. “Disappointed not to see who you were expecting?”
Stella’s voice was cold. “Not seeing who I want isn’t the problem. Seeing
someone I’d rather avoid is what’s unsettling.”
Haynes looked at her and said, “If you apologize, I’ll clear the air and say it was all a misunderstanding.”
Apologize?
Stella nearly laughed. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?”
Haynes hadn’t anticipated her stubbornness after all this time, and his voice turned cold. “Stella, do you still think you did nothing wrong?”
Stella clenched her hands into fists, her knuckles turning white from the pressure. The online accusations had driven her mad, and Haynes expected her to concede. Seriously? It was laughable.
She replied icily, “My biggest mistake in life was marrying you!”
Haynes’ face hardened. “Stella, that’s enough.”
Stella’s laugh was bitter. “I’ve had enough. You can be blind to Rachel’s faults, but
I refuse to play the fool who takes everything lying down.”
Haynes’ eyes were gloomy. “You’re asking for too much.”