The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 495

A long, black luxury van waited at the curb.

When the door slid open, Haynes, Rachel, and Keen were already inside.

Keen looked up as Deanna and Callie climbed in, greeting them politely.

“Grandma. Aunt Callie.”

Deanna’s response was little more than a dismissive nod. Her gaze, however, lingered on Rachel.

Rachel was dressed beautifully that day—a tasteful, elegant dress that made her look delicate and gentle, every bit the picture of grace.

Deanna’s brows knitted together. “Why are you bringing her to Mr. Burton’s birthday party?”

Haynes’s voice was calm. “The invitation I received included Rachel.”

Deanna looked genuinely surprised. “They invited her? Since when does the Burton family have ties with her?”

Rachel spoke softly. “Maybe it’s because I’m now Mr. Walden’s apprentice. Perhaps that’s why they asked me to come.”

Deanna’s expression eased a little at that.

She’d considered letting Rachel into the family—if Haynes was set on remarrying Stella, perhaps it wasn’t out of the question. But lately, Haynes hadn’t mentioned Stella at all. Maybe he’d finally let go of that woman.

Deanna’s mind began to turn over new possibilities.

If Haynes could marry a woman from a distinguished family, why settle for Rachel? Rachel was certainly better than Stella, but there were plenty of young women from good families who were just as accomplished—some of whom might not even mind that Haynes already had a child.

This party was the perfect opportunity to meet those young women.

She knew better than to hope for someone like Aurora or Lauretta, but the Burton family still had several eligible daughters. It wouldn’t hurt to see if any caught Haynes’s eye. If nothing worked out, she could always reconsider Rachel.

It had been a while since he’d seen her. Not too long ago, he’d spotted her picking up that troublemaker from kindergarten a few times, but recently, she hadn’t even shown up for that.

He had no idea what his mother was doing anymore. He wanted to call her, but pride held him back.

Before, every day after school, his mom would be there—hovering, bustling around him, fussing over what he could and couldn’t eat, making sure he dressed warmly when it got cold. Back then, he’d thought she was just plain annoying.

But now, the house was so quiet it felt almost scary. It didn’t feel like home at all.

When Deanna heard him mention Stella, she scoffed.

“You miss her—but she probably doesn’t miss you. If she cared, don’t you think she would’ve come to see you even once all this time? Right now, she’s busy cozying up to Marvin’s father. She doesn’t have time for you.

Instead of wasting your thoughts on that cold-hearted woman, why not start thinking about finding yourself a new mom?”