The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 589

As the car pulled away from the curb, Haynes glanced at Stella in the rearview mirror.

“So, home or the studio?”

“The studio,” Stella replied without looking up.

He nodded and turned the wheel, steering them in a new direction.

From the mirror, he studied her a moment longer. “You don’t look like you’re in the best mood.”

Stella’s answer was cold, tinged with biting sarcasm.

“That’s none of your business. If you’re so eager to worry about something, focus on Rachel’s health. If she gets sick again before her concert, everything you’ve done for her will be for nothing.”

Haynes heard the edge in her voice; the underlying mockery was unmistakable.

Eyes fixed on the road ahead, he said quietly, “Yesterday, I had Rachel go through another full checkup.”

Stella turned to him, expression unreadable. “And? Is she getting worse, or better?”

He was silent for a moment. “Dr. Burton’s medication seems to be working.”

A wry smile tugged at Stella’s mouth. “So, she’s improving?”

“Rachel has weekly checkups,” Haynes explained. “At first, I couldn’t believe she was really that sick. I even brought in specialists for second opinions. But every result came back the same.”

Stella caught his meaning immediately. “Are you suggesting Dr. Burton lied to help me?”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

She let out a cold laugh, then fell silent.

There was no waking a man who only pretended to sleep. Even if she threw the truth about Rachel’s illness in his face, he’d just find another excuse for her.

The car grew quiet.

Keen, sitting between them, looked from his mother to his father, lips parting as though he wanted to say something—but thought better of it.

After a while, Haynes broke the silence, his voice low and heavy.

“Whatever the truth is—whether Rachel’s really sick or not—once the concert is over, my debt to her will be paid in full.”

Stella gave no reaction, staring out the window as the city passed them by.

Haynes opened his mouth, as if to speak again, but said nothing.

Stella looked away, her heart twisting as she avoided his gaze.

Haynes spoke up, his tone even. “Keen, your mom has a lot on her plate right now. Why don’t you wait until the concert is over, then you can stay with her?”

He turned to Stella. “Does that sound alright to you?”

Keen’s eyes lit up with hope, staring at her with silent pleading.

Meeting that gaze, Stella hesitated, then gave a small, reluctant nod.

The sadness melted from Keen’s face, replaced by a shy, glowing smile.

Soon, Haynes pulled up in front of Stella’s new studio.

She wasn’t surprised he knew the address; with Rachel and Jasper monitoring her every move, it wouldn’t be long before they tried to take this place from her too, if they thought it was nicer than the last.

Stella opened the car door. “I’ll go ahead.”

But just as she started to close it, something occurred to her. She looked back at Haynes.

“Haynes, I hope you’ll take Keen’s safety more seriously.”