The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 1

It was one in the morning.

Stella Cameron suddenly stumbled upon Rachel Pearce's Facebook post.

"Thanks to Mr. O'Brien and little Keen for the gifts. Keen even handmade this mug himself!"

Stella clicked on the photo. A necklace and a DIY mug appeared on her screen. She could faintly see the words on the mug, "Happy Birthday, Mom."

Stella glanced at the dining table, the untouched dinner that had gone cold, and the birthday cake with candles still unlit. A wry smile crept onto her lips.

She recalled a news alert she received earlier that day: "Confirmed! The usually reserved Haynes O'Brien from elite circles is secretly married and has a five-year- old son!"

In the photo, a tall, handsome man and a slender, beautiful woman were walking hand in hand with a five-year-old boy at a theme park.

Rachel gently patted Keen O'Brien's head while Haynes gazed at her with an intensity and tenderness Stella had never seen.

of three, with the little boy looking so much like

be Stella's day. It was her birthday and her fifth wedding anniversary with Haynes.

and son had spent the day with Rachel, even giving her gifts

was used

and only a year

meaningful for Rachel in her final days, hoping that Stella would come to terms with it. Although Stella was reluctant to accept

for what seemed like an age when the front

dining room, Haynes paused, surprised. He seemed to have forgotten the day, looking at Stella with bewilderment. "Why aren't you asleep

have something

glanced down at Keen. "Keen, head

eyes, yawning as he passed by Stella. Then, as if remembering something,

her, his eyes

and I didn't mean to forget your birthday.