NovelApexChapter 381
Stella's expression was icy, her gaze steady and unreadable.
"There's nothing between us anymore," she said flatly. "You don't oweexplanations."
Haynes met her eyes. "I just want you to know, there's nothing betweenand Rachel—not the way you think.
The media blows everything out of proportion."
Once, he wouldn't have bothered to explain himself at all.
Noting Stella's indifference, Haynes softened his tone. "I'm sorry. | honestly didn't realize Jasper's actions would
affect you and Keen so much."
A bitter laugh escaped Stella, laced with scorn. "You really think people look down onjust because of one
incident?" she shot back. "You think the way they treatis all because of smisunderstanding?"
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She shook her head. "Jasper's disrespect has been going on for ages, right under your nose. And you-what have
you ever done about it? Besides uttering a few empty words like ‘enough’ or 'let's drop it'-what, exactly, have
you done?"
Her face was blank as she stared him down. "Now Keen's getting bullied at school because people look down on
me, and only now do you finally realize how serious it is."
There was a long pause before she added, voice cold and clear, "Haynes, I've never seen anyone so willing to
sacrifice his own family and child just to protect his so-called 'brotherhood.' If you keep letting Jasper get away
with this, it's only a matter of tbefore Keen gets hurt even worse."
Haynes, looking chastened, didn't argue. "From now on, I'll keep Jasper in check," he promised quietly.
Stella's lips curled in a humorless smile. She didn't bother replying.
All Keen's suffering had earned was a half-hearted promise to "keep Jasper in check." This man had disappointed
her so thoroughly, she felt numb to it now.
She'd had enough. "Is there anything else? If not, I'm leaving."
Haynes reached out, catching her wrist. "Stella, Keen is still so young. He needs his mother. While you've been
away, he's been really down."
He hesitated, then added, "I know | neglected you before. I'll spend more twith the family from now on. For
Keen's sake, can't you stop being so stubborn?"
Stubborn. That's what he called it.
Stella's smile was mocking. "This is your idea of winningback? Do you really think that lowering your pride
for a moment and saying something soft is all it takes? That I'll just crunning home, playing house like some
lovesick fool?"
Not a real apology. Not a word about Rachel or Jasper-just empty platitudes and a half-hearted admission of fault.
He really thought that was enough to bring her back? The arrogance was almost impressive.
Haynes frowned, visibly irritated by her words. He forced himself to keep his voice steady. "You don't have to do
any chores-let the staff handle it. Cback to the house if you want, or not, it's up to you. I'll handle my
mother."
If only, she thought, he'd ever stood up for her before. If only he'd defended her, maybe Deanna wouldn't have
made her life hell for so long.
"I'm not coming back." Stella's voice was steady. "Haynes, if you'd clawed your way out of a grave, would you
really choose to climb back in?"
His eyes went cold. "A grave? For five years, | did my duty as a husband. It was only when Rachel returned that
things changed. Stella, are five years of marriage and a child not enough to outweigh a few misunderstandings?"
"Misunderstandings?" Stella let out a short, incredulous laugh. "Was it a misunderstanding when you gave our
wedding to Rachel? Or when you handed my mother's necklace over to her? Or when you leftbehind, time
after time, to go running to Rachel?"
Haynes had no answer. After a long silence, he finally said, "We'll have our wedding. If you want it, it'll be even
grander than before."
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