Ste''s expression was icy, her gaze steady and unreadable.


    "There''s nothing between us anymore," she said tly. "You don''t owe me exnations."


    Haynes met her eyes. "I just want you to know, there''s nothing between me and Rachel—not the way you think. The media blows everything out of proportion."


    Once, he wouldn''t have bothered to exin himself at all.


    Noting Ste''s indifference, Haynes softened his tone. "I''m sorry. I honestly didn''t realize Jasper''s actions would affect you and Keen so much."


    A bitterugh escaped Ste,ced with scorn. "You really think people look down on me just because of one incident?" she shot back. "You think the way they treat me is all because of some misunderstanding?"


    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 nk 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 time before Keen gets hurt even worse."


    Haynes, looking chastened, didn''t argue. "From now on, I''ll keep Jasper in check," he promised quietly.


    Ste''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. "Ste, 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 I neglected you before. I''ll spend more time with the family from now on. For Keen''s sake, can''t you stop being so stubborn?"


    Stubborn. That''s what he called it.


    Ste''s smile was mocking. "This is your idea of winning me back? Do you really think that lowering your pride for a moment and saying something soft is all it takes? That I''ll juste running home, ying house like some lovesick fool?"


    Not a real apology. Not a word about Rachel or Jasper-just empty titudes 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. Come back 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 noting back." Ste''s voice was steady. "Haynes, if you''d wed your way out of a grave, would you really choose to climb back in?"


    His eyes went cold. "A grave? For five years, I did my duty as a husband. It was only when Rachel returned that things changed. Ste, are five years of marriage and a child not enough to outweigh a few misunderstandings?"


    "Misunderstandings?" Ste let out a short, incredulousugh. "Was it a misunderstanding when you gave our wedding to Rachel? Or when you handed my mother''s ne over to her? Or when you left me behind, 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."