?Chapter 254:


    It stung more than she cared to admit.


    “What, proud of yourself?” she snapped.


    Ste didn’t flinch. “If that’s all you requested me toe here for, I won’t stick around.”


    The cold reply hit like a p, and for a second, Haley didn’t know how to respond.


    “Tell me what you want—just drop the charges and let me go,” Haley said, lifting her chin slightly, trying to act like this was some deal and not a desperate appeal.


    But the more she tried to actposed, the more entertained Ste became. With a faint smile, she replied, “And what exactly can you offer me right now? What do I gain from letting you walk free?”


    “I’ll tell you everything I know about Marc,” Haley offered, her tone low. “All of his secrets.”


    Ste’s gaze shifted ever so slightly as she quietly tapped her phone under the table, turning on the recording feature without drawing attention. Keeping her tone casual, she leaned in just a bit and asked, “What kind of secrets are you talking about?”


    “He killed someone. A woman.”


    Ste’s breath caught briefly. Her eyes narrowed. “You’re willing to turn on him like that? What happened to loving him? Aren’t you afraid I’ll use this to destroy him?”


    Haley gave a bitterugh. “Love? Look at me—does it look like he ever cared? It’s every man for himself. I’m doing what I have to. I’ve been with him long enough to know things he wouldn’t dare tell anyone else.”


    Ste gave a small shrug. “Sorry. I don’t care about Marc’s secrets. If that’s all you’ve got, then you’ve got nothing.”


    Haley blinked, stunned into silence.


    She couldn’t believe it. Did Ste really not care at all? Weren’t they married for years? Shouldn’t there still be something left?


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    Ste raised an eyebrow, her tone calm but pointed. “If you’re done talking, I’ll be on my way.”


    Watching her stand to leave, panic crept into Haley’s voice.


    This was herst shot. If Ste walked away now, there was no one left to turn to.


    “Wait—please wait! Just tell me… what would it take for you to let me go?”


    Haley had run out of choices, and Ste held all the cards now.


    Ste had waited a long time for this exact scenario. “I want a public apology,” she said calmly. “You’ll post it using your own ount. Own up to everything you’ve done to me. Make it loud, make it clear.”


    Haley’s hand mmed against the table. “Absolutely not!” She couldn’t even imagine apologizing, much less writing a statement for the world to see. Even her circle in Achury could catch wind of it.


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