The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1981

Joshua knew exactly how much she had sacrificed for her son in the past.

It wasn't a stretch for him to believe that she would reconcile with Haynes simply to give her boy a complete family again.

"I don't care what happens to me," Haynes said flatly. "As long as you and Keen are safe."

His brow suddenly furrowed with worry. "The Gardners are notoriously unstable and vicious. Are you absolutely certain he won't snap and hurt you?"

Stella lowered her eyes, hiding the fractured emotions swirling within them.

"He won't. Joshua would never lay a hand on me."

Hearing the absolute, unwavering trust she placed in her new lover sent a bitter pang through Haynes's chest.

"Good."

"I'm staying here tonight," Stella informed him. "Joshua will probably show up soon. Lock the doors and do not let him in."

Haynes was struck dumb.

Why did he suddenly feel like he was participating in a seedy illicit affair?

Had he really been downgraded from her ex-husband to her imaginary secret lover?

Massaging his temples to ward off an impending headache, he grumbled, "Got it."

With nothing left to discuss, Stella retreated to her bedroom.

She had barely shut the door when her phone vibrated. Joshua.

His voice came through the speaker, crisp, smooth, and dangerously composed.

"Star. I heard... Keen flew in."

Her knuckles turned white around the device, but she forced her tone to be ice-cold.

"'Heard'? From whom, exactly?"

"Star..."

"Are you having me followed, Joshua?" she snapped defensively.

A brief, suffocating pause hung on the line before he replied.

"I was just worried about you."

"I don't need your suffocating control disguised as concern," she shot back venomously. "I'm staying with Keen tonight. Don't wait up."

"Joshua is here?"

Haynes gave a tight, miserable nod. "Yeah."

"I explicitly told you to lock the doors!"

"I did," Haynes sighed defensively. "Keen let him in."

Both adults had been so wrapped up in their heavy conversation earlier that neither had briefed the boy on the situation.

Naturally, their wonderfully oblivious son had happily unlatched the deadbolt the second he saw the man approaching.

Stella pinched the bridge of her nose. "My fault. I forgot to warn him."

Trudging downstairs, she spotted Joshua casually throwing darts with the boy in the rec area.

The moment Joshua laid eyes on Haynes, a terrifying, murderous shadow passed over his features.

But as his gaze flicked to Stella, the lethal edge vanished, instantly replaced by sickeningly sweet devotion.

Before she could unleash a barrage of anger, his smooth voice cut through the room.

"Star, Keen and I already made plans. The three of us are going to the amusement park tomorrow."