The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 135

"Why's it so noisy in here?" A deep, cool voice suddenly paused as Haynes noticed Rachel had been scalded.

Haynes strode forward, instinctively pushing Stella aside.

"Rachel, are you okay?"

Stella swayed on her feet, her body running on empty after a sleepless night and untouched meals. When Haynes shoved her, her knees buckled - she barely caught herself against the edge of the table, the impact jolting through her bruised ribs.

Rachel's hand was a mess of blisters from the scalding.

This time, she didn't have to pretend; the pain brought real tears to her eyes.

"Haynie, I don't know what I did to upset Ms. Cameron, but she just dumped the oatmeal all over me…"

Only then did Haynes notice Stella, who was pale and shaken from the collision.

After a sleepless night, Stella looked worn and haggard.

Haynes was taken aback for just a second before his face turned cold.

"Stella, what kind of stunt are you pulling now?"

The pain in Stella's waist was dizzying, leaving her at a loss for words.

Rachel was crying like a storm. "Maybe Ms. Cameron still holds a grudge from yesterday... I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I almost got Keen in trouble...I'd have thought Ms. Cameron would avoid Keen's allergens like the plague. Guess I was wrong."

As she spoke, Rachel stood up and attempted to kneel in front of Stella. "Ms. Cameron, hit me if you must. I'm ready to take any punishment."

Haynes stopped Rachel, his voice sharp and icy. "Rachel, what are you doing?!"

Keen chimed in, "Rachel, it's not your fault. We didn't know the cake had nuts in it."

Keen was quick to add, "We picked from the same menu as Mom. It's not like Rachel picked it on purpose! If Mom hadn't chosen the nut cake, I wouldn't have had an allergic reaction!"

Just as the pain from the collision began to fade, Stella heard Keen's words.

Her heart, already cold as ice, cracked open just a little bit more.