After Abby''s name had surfaced, finding Ste hadn''t been all that difficult.


    Benson nced at Ste, whose expression was anything but friendly, and cleared his throat.


    "Ms. Cameron, we''re... here to speak with Star."


    Ste''s eyes flickered.


    If Haynes had managed to track her down, it meant he knew everything.


    Haynes shot Abby a quick look. "Ms. Murphy, would you mind giving us a moment?"


    Abby nced at Ste, silently asking for her approval. Ste gave her a brief nod.


    Abby nodded and left the room with Benson.


    Once they were gone, Haynes walked over to Ste.


    His deep, inscrutable gaze settled on her, as if he was sizing her up for the very first time.


    "So, you''re Star."


    He realized, in that moment, how little he truly knew about Ste.


    They''d been married for five years, and in all that time, she''d never held a job.


    Whether she worked or not had never mattered to him. He''d simply never asked about her past or her career.


    It stunned him to learn that, beyond ying the violin and speaking fluent French and German, she was also the elusive, universally admiredposer known only as Star.


    Ste knew perfectly well why Haynes was here, so she didn''t bother with pretense. "I won''t be Rachel''s personalposer. You''d better find someone else."


    Haynes held her gaze. "Why not?"


    Ste had braced herself for this-she didn''t look surprised.


    "Do you really need to ask?"


    With Haynes''s resources, uncovering her identity was only a matter of time.


    His voice was low and measured. "If you have concerns aboutpensation, you can name your price. I''m open to negotiation."


    Ste gave a short, humorlessugh. "I thought that once you knew who I really was, Mr. O''Brien, you''d nevere looking for me again.


    After all, a smart man wouldn''t want his ex-wife crossing paths with his current fiancée."


    There was a trace of mockery in her tone.


    "Yet here you are,ing to me yourself, just to pave the way for Ms. Pearce."


    Every time she convinced herself


    that Haynes didn''t care for Rachel as much as The imed, he''d do something like this-reminding her that, maybe, the doubts were all in her head.


    "Haynes," Ste said, her voice firm


    "you


    perfectly well why


    no. First, I have no dene


    sa in the public eye


    Second, I don''t intend to let my reputation be used to boost Ms. Pearce''s career."


    "There are plenty of ways for you to promote Ms. Pearce, Mr. O''Brien. You don''t need to step on me to do it, do you?"


    Haynes''s expression darkened. "If you''re worried about being targeted, I''ll hire a top-notch PR team to handle it.


    If you don''t want to appear in public, I can make the arrangements. Whatever you need, just say the word."


    "I don''t need anything from you." Ste''s tone was ice-cold. "The only thing I want, Mr. O''Brien, is for you to leay@and never show up in my life again."


    Afternoon sunlight nted through the blinds, casting bands of light and shadow across Haynes''s striking features.


    "Is it because of me that you''re refusing this job?"


    Ste''s patience was wearing thin. "d you figured it out. But honestly, even if it wasn''t you, Mr. O''Brien, I still wouldn''t take it.


    Your involvement just gives me even more reason to refuse."


    Haynes met her gaze, unflinching. "Ste, you should know by now-when I set my mind to something, I always get it."