The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 46

"Don't worry. I won't let you get the short end of the stick on this," Haynes assured.

Rachel managed a small smile through her tears. She knew Haynes wasn't the kind to make promises lightly. If he promised something, he never failed to deliver.

A few minutes later, Benson stood outside another hospital room. He'd learned the driver of the car that collided with Rachel's was staying there. Naturally, Haynes wouldn't handle this sort of thing in person.

Benson knocked on the door and stepped inside.

Meanwhile, Haynes lingered in the hallway and called Stella again. Just like yesterday, he heard silence. An inexplicable frustration bubbled within him.

He was about to try calling again when Benson emerged, looking perplexed.

"What's with the quick exit? Did they refuse to admit fault?" Haynes asked, pausing his actions.

Benson glanced at him, hesitant to speak. After a moment, he finally said, "Mr. O'Brien, you... you might want to see this for yourself."

Benson was an outstanding assistant, capable of handling such matters with ease. It must be something significant if he suggested Haynes take a look himself.

Haynes looked at him curiously and pushed open the door. His gaze froze when he saw the woman sitting on the hospital bed. "Stella, what are you doing here?"

Stella had heard from Benson why Haynes was there. And his arrival didn't surprise her in the least.

Leaning against the bed, Stella looked pale with a few scabbed wounds on her forehead. She regarded him coldly. "Mr. O'Brien, you should already know why I'm here. The reason for your visit is probably clearer to you than to me."

"I'm sorry," Haynes said quietly. "I didn't know you were there."

Stella chuckled. "Right, you didn't know I was there, too. You thought my call was about something trivial, so you hung up without hesitation. Because..."

She met his gaze, stating firmly, "In your world, I just don't matter that much."

At that moment, any explanation he could offer would sound like an excuse. Haynes stayed silent without a word to offer.

Stella closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, they were clear and devoid of emotion. "Mr. O'Brien, if you came to see me, say what you need."

It was then that Haynes remembered the purpose of his visit. "Did you crash into Rachel?"