The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 139

Haynes' deep eyes flickered with a shadow of emotion.

The tensions between Stella, him, and Keen were their own family affair. But now, things had escalated to a point where Stella and his mother were at each other's throats.

That morning, his mother had called him. She'd laid it down thick, saying that if he didn't divorce Stella, he shouldn't bother reaching out to her again.

Yesterday, Stella had slapped him right in front of his mother, clearly not caring about leaving any room for reconciliation.

"Stella, what's gotten into you lately? You weren't like this before."

Stella replied coldly, "You think I've changed because you're not getting the benefits you used to."

"And what about me? In this marriage, what have I got besides an unfaithful husband, a child who looks down on me, and your mother's insults?"

Haynes was silent for a few seconds before he spoke, "No matter what, she's still your elder. You shouldn't have—"

Stella cut him off with a laugh before he could finish.

"Did you enjoy those slaps last night? Want me to give you a few more so you can enjoy it a bit longer?"

At the mention of this, Haynes' expression turned icy.

"Stella!"

Stella leaned back, unfazed. "What, it hurts when it's your face? Where were you when your mother was slapping me? Why didn't you stand up for me?"

"And you know why your mother always feels she can treat me however she wants?"

She looked him straight in the eye, enunciating each word.

"Because she knows, no matter what she does to me, you'll never stand up for me or fight for what's right."

Haynes was momentarily at a loss for words.