It seemed like Haynes realized he was in the wrong, and for once, his tone wasn''t as icy as usual.


    "That day Rachel had her doctor''s appointment, I really couldn''t leave," he exined.


    Ste''s expression was dripping with sarcasm. "You couldn''t get away without even giving me a heads-up? Plus, you bailed on me in the morning and promised you''de in the afternoon."


    "You didn''t show up in the afternoon either, and not even a text, Haynes. You''re the CEO of a bigpany, and yet you can''t keep your word? Are you even a man?"


    Her gaze was sharp and using, a stark contrast to the gentle and mild- mannered Ste everyone knew. It made Haynes ufortable.


    His eyes hardened, and his voice dropped. "Ste, stop being unreasonable. You didn''t used to be like this."


    Ste responded like she''d just heard the punchline of a joke. "You stood me up multiple times, and now you''re calling me unreasonable? Haynes, is this how you treat your business partners too?"


    "When you don''t show up, and they ask for an exnation, do you call them unreasonable?"


    Haynes''s expression darkened. "Ste, you''re my wife, the closest person to me. I thought you were different from everyone else."


    Ste''s face was etched with mockery, her features cold and distant. "Don''t give me that ''wife'' and ''closest person'' nonsense. Do you even hear yourself, Haynes?"


    "Your mother is the closest person to you in the world too. Would you stand her up and break your promises like you do with me?"


    Ste locked eyes with Haynes and said each word with precision, "I''m just your convenience, at your beck and call."


    "I can''t believe you''d treat anyone else this way."


    For a moment, Haynes was at a loss. Indeed, he wouldn''t treat anyone else the way he treated Ste.


    Deep down, he had always assumed that no matter what he did, she would understand him and never put him in a difficult spot.


    In that instant, Haynes realized he might have taken Ste for granted.


    This time, maybe he really had crossed a line.


    Haynes softened his tone. "I was wrong this time. I apologize. I promise it won''t happen again. Even if somethinges up, I''ll call you."


    But all he got in return was Ste''s derisiveughter.


    "Haynes, from now on, I won''t believe a word you say."


    Ste didn''t want to go over old ground with Haynes. She knew Haynes never really cared about her.


    But this time, he had pushed her too far.


    Looking Haynes straight in the eye, she said, "Also, I''ve filed for divorce. I hope when we go to court, you won''t have somest-minute emergency that keeps you from showing up."


    With that, Ste turned and walked towards the clinic, not sparing Haynes another nce.


    Before she got inside, she ran into old Jasper, who had been booted out, caught between a rock and a hard ce with an old man and a kid he couldn''t handle.


    As they passed, she heard Jasper scoff dismissively.


    Ste couldn''t be bothered with him and walked away without looking back.


    Haynes stood there, his dark eyes fixed on the spot where Ste had disappeared.


    Jasper sidled up to him, nosily inquiring, "Haynie, what did Ste want? Was she giving you grief about missing your date?"


    "Missed thest one, and now she''s probablye up with another way to get back at you, huh?"