The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 91

"It's all my fault; I was so careless and spilled the soup all over your jacket... Why don't you give it to me, and I'll wash it clean for you?"

Stella stood outside the door, unable to see their expressions.

Haynes was silent for a long time before he finally spoke three words.

"No need." His voice was steady, devoid of any anger, as calm as ever. It was as if the stained jacket was just another piece of clothing, nothing special.

"I noticed you've been wearing that jacket a lot lately; you must really like it, right? Haynie, since I made the mess, I insist on cleaning it. I promise I'll make it spotless..."

Rachel's voice suddenly changed, tinged with a hint of tears, as if she'd been struck by a thought.

"Haynie, do you hate me now? Is that why you won't give me the jacket?"

"No."

Rachel sobbed softly, "Really?"

"Yeah."

"Then... can you let me take the jacket?"

This time, the silence stretched on much longer than before. Eventually, Haynes sighed and uttered a single word. "Fine."

Rachel finally broke into a smile through her tears, "I'll return it to you once it's clean."

Shortly after hanging up, Stella heard the front door close—Haynes was gone.

Wanting to avoid any chance of bumping into him, she waited a good thirty minutes. When she was certain he wasn't coming back, Stella finally headed downstairs.

On the first floor, she spotted two young nurses holding a familiar jacket, chatting as they walked.

"Rich folks really are something else. Get a jacket dirty and just toss it instead of washing it."