The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Before Haynes could speak, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing louder by the second.

"Haynie! Pick Rachel!"

Jasper Wilkinson came hobbling in, clearly having rushed over-though how he'd even heard what was happening was anyone's guess.

Haynes frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Jasper's face was drawn with anxiety. "If I hadn't come, Rachel would be doomed today! Haynie, you have to pick Rachel!"

"Rachel's wish isn't fulfilled. She's only got a few months left-it can't end for her like this!"

He'd barely managed to get out of bed this morning, still sore from the beating Galen Wilkinson had given him the night before. He'd intended to stay home and recover, but then Foreman had called: Rachel's been kidnapped.

That was all Jasper needed to hear. He'd rushed over as fast as he could, terrified that if he arrived even a moment too late, Rachel would already be dead.

Haynes's voice was cool, rational, cutting through the tension. “If she only has a few months left, why not pick someone who actually has a future?"

Jasper stared at him, stunned, unable to believe what he'd just heard.

Was this really Haynes talking? Hadn't he always favored Rachel above everyone else?

Haynes continued, "Rachel's terminally ill—she's running out of time. Let her last hope go to someone who still stands a chance. Rachel's always been selfless; I'm sure she'd understand."

He turned to Rachel. "Isn't that right, Rachel?"

For a split second, Rachel's carefully crafted mask of vulnerability cracked. She managed a weak, forced smile. "...Haynie's right. There's no point saving me now."

She turned to look at Keen, who was still frozen in shock.

"Keen, go with your mother. Don't worry about me."

Moments earlier, Keen had overheard Stella talking to the kidnapper they clearly knew each other. Uncertainty flickered in his eyes. His small face twisted with confusion, but after a moment, he nodded ever so slightly.

Rachel's expression went blank. Her hands clenched tight, fury welling up inside her until she thought she'd choke on it.

Ungrateful brat! No matter how much I did for him, it was all for nothing!

Before the kidnapper could respond, Jasper's angry shout cut through the silence.

"Haynie, what the hell are you saying? Stella's life matters, but Rachel's doesn't? I won't let you turn your back on her!"

Haynes's voice went colder still. "And what do you propose I do?"

Jasper faltered for a moment, then blurted out, "Of course we save Rachel!"

Haynes replied, "Right now, Keen and the others are in the kidnapper's hands. You tell me how are we supposed to save anyone?"noveldrama

Jasper opened his mouth, struggling for words. “Didn't the kidnapper just say you had to choose? If you pick Rachel, won't that be enough...?"

His voice trailed off as he realized how flimsy the argument sounded.

But soon enough, he rallied. "Years

ago, I risked my life to draw your pursuers away-if Rachel hadn't

saway

saved me, I'd be long dead. We owe

her everything, Haynie! This is our

chance to repay that debt. You're not

going to back out now, are you?"

Haynes's tone was ice. "And what about everything I've done for her these past years? What does that count for?"

Jasper's gaze flickered, searching for an answer. "All I know is, you have to choose Rachel today..."

Haynes cut him off, voice sharp as

glass. "You want me to stand in front of Keen and choose someone who's only got a few months left,

over his own mother? Jasper, listen

to yourself. Isn't that insane?"

Stella, listening from the sidelines, couldn't help the flicker of surprise in her eyes.