The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 4

"Star, have you decided to go through with the divorce?"

Stella gave a gentle nod. "Yeah, I've made up my mind."-

"But what about Keen?"

"Even if I tried to fight for custody, I wouldn't stand a chance against the O'Brien family. Besides..." Stella's face twisted into a bittersweet smile, "Keen might not even want to be with me. To him, Rachel is likely the best thing right now."

Abby frowned in disapproval. "You went through hell to bring Keen into this world, laboring for a day and a night. You've been there for him every single day, sacrificing so much. How could he prefer the woman who tore his parents apart over you?"

Stella replied calmly, "This just proves they're father and son. Even their taste in women is the same."

about Haynes? Does

head. "He's probably busy

since she lived there.

since you

was born, Stella's life had been about family and childcare. She had lost

energy. Five years of marriage had aged her too

strange tightness in her chest.

phone rang. Whatever she heard from the other

moment, she said, "Okay, we'll be

Pearce Music House, the 'Nocturne Stella.' The manager says the potential buyer has quite a reputation, and he's too nervous to say no. Since you're free today, why don't we check it out together?" Stella hadn't played the violin in five years. Her life had been consumed with caring for Keen, leaving anything related to the violin entirely in Abby's hands. Hearing Abby mention it felt like a blast

the music store,