The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 61

Stella stared at him, disbelief and bitterness etched across her face. "If you think money doesn’t matter," she shot back, "try freezing your credit card and living without it. Then tell me how much it counts. And do you really think I’m with you for your money? What else should I appreciate? Your habit of running off at midnight for other women? Or how you turn me into a maid, cooking for your precious first love? Or maybe it’s how, when I need help, you ask if I’m the one at fault instead of standing by me. Or when I was in danger, you hung up on me and left with someone else?"

She paused, locking eyes with Haynes. "But let's say, for argument's sake, I was after your money. Funny, I don't seem to have gained any assets."

When Rachel returned to the country, she moved into the best ocean-view property in Neo-Vespera, easily worth millions. Haynes had bought it without a second thought and transferred it straight into her name. Meanwhile, moving out of the O'Brien Mansion, Stella could only afford a rented apartment.

Five years as Mrs. O'Brien, she couldn't compare to a fling back from a six-month stint abroad. If there was anything more ironic, Stella couldn't think of it. Being Mrs. O'Brien had become a bitter joke.

Haynes frowned. "Rachel doesn't have long. Why are you so caught up on someone who's dying?"

"Dying?" Stella scoffed, a wry smile on her lips. "Are you sure about that?"

Haynes could hear the skepticism in her voice, and his expression hardened. "What are you insinuating?"

"Haynes, how about we make a bet?" Stella suggested, her tone light yet loaded. "Let's wager whether Rachel will be gone in six months."

Stella had been pondering this for some time. With her talent for lies and theatrics, Rachel might be faking the whole terminal illness act. Apart from her occasional fainting spells, she showed no signs of someone on death's door. And someone supposedly grappling with a fatal illness wouldn't have the energy to scheme all day, would they?

"That's ridiculous," Haynes replied coldly.

"What? Afraid you’ll lose?"