The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"She knew perfectly well that Rachel didn't have much time left, yet she kept playing her little games. Remember how she faked being sick or even pretended she'd been kidnapped just to grab Keen's and my attention?"

"Over the years, she's gotten used to the high life, and now with Keen involved, there's no way she'd easily agree to a divorce. It's all just a strategic retreat on her part," Haynes remarked with a shake of his head.

Foreman watched Haynes intently, furrowing his brow, as if on the verge of saying something. Just then, the tightly shut door of the hospital room swung open.

The nurse, spotting Haynes still in the hallway, let out a sigh of relief. "Mr. O'Brien, thank goodness you're still here. Ms. Pearce had a nightmare and we can't wake her. Could you please come take a look?"

Haynes gave a quick nod and walked back into the room. Foreman watched him go, his figure fading into the distance.

...

Stella waited anxiously for two days until Foreman finally got in touch. "I've found out that Abby wasn't taken by Haynie," Foreman said, his voice giving nothing away. "I need a few more days to track her down, so hang tight."

Stella exhaled in relief but quickly tensed up again. "What on earth happened with Abby? Why is she hiding?"

After a moment of silence, Foreman responded, "Looks like she pissed off the wrong guy and is keeping her head down to stay out of trouble... Don't stress, once I track her down, I'll take care of it."

Knowing Abby's talent for getting under people's skin, Stella didn't question Foreman's theory. She thanked him and hung up.

However, not long after, her phone buzzed with a new message. "Stella, your friend has been missing for days. Aren't you worried at all?"

Stella instantly recognized it as one of Rachel's attempts to stir up trouble. Ignoring the message, she was about to delete it when a photo came through. It was Abby, tied to a chair with duct tape across her mouth.

Heart racing, Stella dialed the number, but the call was abruptly cut off. Immediately, another text arrived. "If you want to know where your friend is, meet me at this café. Don't worry, I won't harm you."noveldrama

Staring at the address, Stella pondered. The café was a well-known spot in the city center, a place bustling enough to deter any immediate danger. Normally, hostage exchanges happened in secluded locations. Why meet at a popular café? And if Foreman had said Haynes wasn't involved in Abby's disappearance, how did Rachel know her whereabouts? Could Abby really be with Rachel?

With these questions swirling in her mind, Stella decided to head to the café. From the outside, the café appeared normal, with a decent number of patrons inside.

As soon as she stepped in, a well-trained barista approached her. "Ma'am, do you have a reservation?"

Stella mentioned the table number, and the barista led her to the spot. As she settled into her seat, she caught sight of a familiar figure. Sensing her gaze, the woman looked up gently.

"Ms. Cameron, you made it."

Stella gave the woman a cautious look, taking in her strikingly polished features. "Rachel, what do you want Why did you call me out here?"

Rachel ordered a coffee, then turned her attention back to Stella.