The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 44

Stella's heart raced as she pressed the call button for Haynes, her instincts in overdrive. It was funny how danger seemed to sharpen her senses.

She could hear the familiar ringtone from Haynes' direction. Her palms were slick with cold sweat, making her grip on the phone slippery and uncomfortable.

Stella's eyes were on the path Haynes had taken, and despite everything, she was clutching her phone tighter.

Haynes halted abruptly. Though Stella had long ceased to care for him, her heart raced uncontrollably in this critical moment.

Haynes pulled out his phone, his expression deepening when he saw her name on the screen.

Just then, Rachel's voice broke the tension. "It's Ms. Cameron's call. It looks like she's come around," Rachel said with a faint, weak smile. "Haynie, you should answer it. Keen needs his mother. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I've got not much time left anyway."

Haynes' eyes flickered before he disconnected the call. "I'll take you to the hospital first," he said, dismissing everything else as he carried Rachel away.

In that instant, Stella's mind went blank. It was as if a heavy hammer had struck her heart. Her vision darkened, and she fainted.

...

"Did you see? The woman brought into our hospital earlier is Haynes' old flame, Rachel, right?"

"Yeah, that's her. You should've seen Mr. O'Brien when he brought her in. He looked so worried and heartbroken. It's a shame they're star-crossed lovers who never got their happy ending."

"I heard Haynes' wife got her position by playing dirty tricks to break them apart so she could marry him."

"I saw Haynes by Ms. Pearce's bedside. How he looked at her was so tender! I know it's wrong, but part of me wants them to be together."