Ste stared at him, disbelief and bitterness etched across her face. "If you think money doesn''t matter," she shot back, "try freezing your credit card and living without it. Then tell me how much it counts. And do you really think I''m with you for your money? What else should I appreciate? Your habit of running off at midnight for other women? Or how you turn me into a maid, cooking for your precious first love? Or maybe it''s how, when I need help, you ask if I''m the one at fault instead of standing by me. Or when I was in danger, you hung up on me and left with someone else?"


    She paused, locking eyes with Haynes. "But let''s say, for argument''s sake, I was after your money. Funny, I don''t seem to have gained any assets."


    When Rachel returned to the country, she moved into the best ocean-view property in Neo-Vespera, easily worth millions. Haynes had bought it without a second thought and transferred it straight into her name. Meanwhile, moving out of the O''Brien Mansion, Ste could only afford a rented apartment.


    Five years as Mrs. O''Brien, she couldn''tpare to a fling back from a six-month stint abroad. If there was anything more ironic, Ste couldn''t think of it. Being Mrs. O''Brien had be a bitter joke.


    Haynes frowned. "Rachel doesn''t have long. Why are you so caught up on someone who''s dying?"


    "Dying?" Ste scoffed, a wry smile on her lips. "Are you sure about that?"


    Haynes could hear the skepticism in her voice, and his expression hardened. "What are you insinuating?"


    "Haynes, how about we make a bet?" Ste suggested, her tone light yet loaded. "Let''s wager whether Rachel will be gone in six months."


    Ste had been pondering this for some time. With her talent for lies and theatrics, Rachel might be faking the whole terminal illness act. Apart from her asional fainting spells, she showed no signs of someone on death''s door. And someone supposedly grappling with a fatal illness wouldn''t have the energy to scheme all day, would they?


    "That''s ridiculous," Haynes replied coldly.


    "What? Afraid you''ll lose?"


    His face remained impassive. "Medical advancements are happening every day, and Jasper is actively seeking specialists for Rachel. Her condition might not be untreatable."


    Ste wondered what kind of spell Rachel had cast on Haynes to make him so loyal.


    Haynes seemed eager to change the subject. "What''s your second condition?"


    Her gaze was steady as she spoke, each word deliberate. "Haynes, I want a divorce."


    His patience finally snapped. "Ste, I''ve agreed to your demands. You want one hundred million dors, don''t you? Fine, I said I''d give it to you. How long will you drag this out?"


    His annoyance was palpable. "Where did you learn these petty games?"


    Ste met his gaze evenly. "Haynes, do you still think I''m ying games with you?"


    His eyes bore into hers, intense and unwavering. "You love me, don''t you?"


    For a moment, Ste froze, but she quickly recovered. "You read my diary?"


    Haynes'' eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Keen identally brought me your diary instead of my nner."


    Ste had always kept a journal. That diary chronicled her five-year marriage. Before Rachel returned, Haynes had been good to her. He was young, handsome, and influential. Falling for him wasn''t hard, especially since he was her husband.


    But hearing it from Haynes now, a different phrase came to mind.