Chapter 21

Incredible

Haley froze,eyes wide with disbelief. "Wait...What did you just say?" Had she misunderstood him?

Marc's mouth curved into a familiar smile, but there was no softness in his eyes. "Stella is my wife-and always will be. I've said it before, what's between us is nothing more than a fling. Isn't this kind of thing considered normal where you're from? You didn't really think it meant something... did you?"

To him, the position of a wife belonged solely to Stella.

And Haley? She was someone to enjoy in passing.Nothing more,nothing less.

Marc didn't mind keeping her close, so long as she knew her place.

For a second, Haley just stared at him, tryingto process what he'd said.

What was that supposed to mean?

Marc's recent attention made her believe he was

starting to fall for her. Now he was claiming she'd mistaken everything?

Did that worthless woman really mean more to him than she did?

Haley stiffened, her smile fading. "Marc, what are you even talking about right now?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. If you don't like how things are, you're free to walk away." A shadow flickered in Marc's eyes.

He couldn't risk offending the Smith family. But no matter the cost, he'd never replace Stella.

Haley felt a sharp sting in her chest watching the finality in his face.

He wasn't joking after all.

Still, she wasn't someone who quit easily. If she wanted something, she chased it until it was hers.

Marc only clung to Stella because they hadn't spent real time together yet.

But once they did, he'd see that he belonged with her.

With that thought anchoring her, Haley straightened herself and forced a light laugh. "Come on, I was just

messing around. I got carried away-don't be mad.For you, I'll let it slide. I won't pick on her anymore.But... you owe me for that."

Marc watched her, his expression impossible to read."Fine. Whatever you ask for, I'll grant it. Just keep your promise-leave Stella alone."

After leaving Marc's office, Stella didn't head back to the research institute.

With only five days left until the project kicked off,she had to get everything in order before then.

Stella returned to the villa and dropped onto the couch,massaging her weary eyes.

Her phone began to ring. Without checking the screen,she hit the answer button and held it to her ear. "Hello?"

"Stella, there's a party tonight. I managed to snag an invite. You should get dressed and come with me."

Stella blinked slowly, not quite keeping up. "Lainey, I'm really wiped out. I don't think I've got the energy for a party tonight."

"William's attending," Lainey added casually. "It's his friend's event. Weren't you hoping for a chance to talk to him in private?"

That snapped her out of her haze. Stella bolted upright. "Wait-William's going to be there?"

"Yep! And since I'm on the guest list, I can bring you.A relaxed setting like that is perfect for getting closer to him."

Lainey had clearly misunderstood her intentions again,but Stella didn't bother correcting her this time."Alright, I'll be there. Just send me the details."

As soon as the call ended, Stella raced upstairs to get ready.

By the time she came back down, her phone buzzed with a new message. Expecting it to be from Lainey,she tapped on it, only to realize it was from Haley instead.

Stella scowled as she stared at the one-minute voice note. Her thumb hesitated in mid-air before finally pressing play.

Almost immediately, a sultry voice spilled from the speaker, sending a chill down her spine."Oh, Marc,you're incredible... God..."