Haynes''s voice dropped to an arctic whisper. "And if I refuse?"


    "Whether Ms. Pearce gets her happy ending... who knows?" The shrug was audible in their voice.


    Haynes''s stare turned deadly serious, the kind that makes your skin prickle. "Ste, you''re pushing your luck."


    Ste''s eyshes fluttered as she met Haynes''s intense stare. Her eyes were unwavering.


    "Oh, so you can threaten those I care about, and that''s just fine, but if I use your beloved Rachel as leverage, suddenly I''m crossing a line?"


    "Haynes, I''ve never wanted to drag others into our mess. If Rachel hadn''t repeatedly shoved her way into my life, I wouldn''t have bothered with her."


    "If you have grievances with me, bring them to me directly. But if you so much asy a finger on my friends..."


    Ste leaned in, her voice steady and biting, each word deliberate.


    "I''m not afraid to walk away with nothing to lose. If Rachel ends up in hot water, I promise your whole family won''t be far behind."


    The steel in her voice left Haynes momentarily speechless. In that instant, he realized the woman he thought he could easily control was far more formidable than he had ever imagined.


    His Adam''s apple bobbed as he swallowed, and after a few tense seconds, he tossed the divorce papers back into Ste''sp.


    "If you want a divorce, fine. But I won''t agree to split my assets."


    Ste wasn''t surprised. "What are your terms, then? Justy them out."


    Haynes sank into the nearby couch, his voice cool. "You leave with nothing, and I''ll sign the papers."


    Leave with nothing? Funny.


    Ste didn''t so much as blink. No sorrow, no regret-just cool indifference. It was ironic, really. Haynes had given Rachel everything, no strings attached. But with Ste? Every dor came with an invoice.


    Just as Ste opened her mouth to speak, Haynes cut her off. "Take your time to think it over. Even if you agree right now, I''m not avable today. And you''ll need to revise this agreement."


    "I understand," Ste replied calmly. "If that''s all, I''ll be going."


    Haynes didn''t respond.


    Ste walked out without waiting-no hesitation, no backward look. Then came that telltale hitch in her step. The unfinished business.


    Haynes''s eyes flicked up to meet hers. "Is there something else?"


    Ste nodded, picking up a nearby ss of water. "Oh, just one more thing I almost forgot."


    Haynes watched her with curiosity. Was she simply thirsty after all that talking? But before he could fully process the thought, the icy water sshed across his face, dripping down his perfectly tailored suit.


    Ste said, "You held me back earlier, letting Rachel p me for nothing. Consider this a return favor."


    With that, she turned and left the vi without a second nce.


    ...


    The weekend arrived in no time.


    It was the day of the talent show at the local kindergarten.


    Ste, with her violin case slung over her shoulder, arrived early with Marvin Connolly.


    "Ste, I''m so nervous," Marvin admitted, taking deep breaths in a futile attempt to calm his nerves.


    Ste reassured him, "There''s no need to be nervous. Just follow my lead during the performance, and take your time."


    Marvin was about to respond when a gentle voice chimed in from behind them. "Ms. Cameron, are you and Marvin ying the violin too?"