The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 454

Even if it meant divorcing Stella.

Right now—maybe it was the fever, maybe it was something else—Haynes felt a strange, unsettling emotion flicker through his chest.

"Haynie, Haynie, are you even listening to me?"

Rachel’s voice yanked him out of his thoughts.

Haynes blinked, regaining his composure. Whatever odd feeling had surfaced in his heart vanished, dissolving as quickly as it came.

His voice was hoarse. "Call Stella. Tell her to come to the hospital. Now."

Rachel assumed Haynes meant to confront Stella, so she just nodded. "Alright."

…

Stella took her time heading to the hospital, only leaving her apartment after finishing a leisurely breakfast.

As she reached the doorway to Haynes's room, she heard Rachel’s voice from inside.

"Haynie, just have a bite, please. If you don’t eat something, how are you supposed to get better?"

There was a pause, then Haynes replied, his tone rough and weary. "No. I’m not hungry."

Rachel seemed ready to keep pleading, but Stella knocked and stepped into the room.

As she entered, a flicker of something passed through Haynes’s eyes. Instinctively, his gaze dropped to her hands.

Stella carried nothing but her purse—not even a simple bouquet for the patient. She hadn’t brought any of the homemade remedies she was so famous for, either.

His expression darkened.

Stella didn’t so much as flinch. "If you want soup, ask Ms. Pearce or the housekeeper. Haynes, I’m not your maid anymore."

His dark eyes reflected her indifference.

In the past, whenever he was sick or hurt, Stella’s eyes would fill with concern. Now, she looked at him like he was a stranger.

Something in his voice sounded unsteady. "Stella, with that attitude, aren’t you worried I’ll hold you accountable for what happened?"

She met his gaze, unfazed. "Would you really?"

Catching the way Rachel’s face twisted, Stella smiled a little. "Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about whether you’d miss me. I’m talking about my studio—and the music I’ve written."

Then she turned to Rachel. "Ms. Pearce, there’s no need to treat me like a threat. Mr. O’Brien’s gone out of his way to pave the road for you. If he hadn’t pushed so hard, left no space for anyone else, I wouldn’t have been forced to cut ties so abruptly. The fact that he’s in the hospital now just shows how much he cares for you."

Rachel’s eyes widened, clearly surprised by this revelation. For a moment, something like gratitude softened her expression. "Everything you’ve done for me, I truly appreciate. But…"