Haughty and heartless pair, couple making comeback (5)
I believe the answer is:
proud
'haughty' is the definition.
('proud' can be similar in meaning to 'haughty')
'heartless pair couple making comeback' is the wordplay.
'heartless' suggests removing the centre.
'couple' becomes 'duo' ('duo' can be a synonym of 'couple'**).
'making comeback' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'pair' with its centre taken out is 'pr'.
'duo' reversed gives 'oud'.
'pr'+'oud'='PROUD'
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for proud that I've seen before include "Haughty - sticking out" , "Having a high opinion of oneself" , "Self-respect, feeling of self-worth" , "Feeling gratified or arrogant" , "Stuck-up" .)