The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

If she messed up her performance tonight, there'd be no denying Stella simply

wasn't good enough.

But...

It seemed the Williams family would also be attending the gala.

Mr. Burton still had no idea that Stella was actually the Williams family's long-lost daughter.

And how would the Williamses react, seeing the daughter they'd cast out of their home-not only not living in disgrace, but thriving, stealing the spotlight? She wondered what kind of expressions would cross their faces.

Unlike Stella and Abby Murphy, who were in the dark about the details of tonight's performance, Neville knew exactly what was going on. As soon as he learned the performance schedule, he'd asked Mr. Burton for an invitation-making sure there'd be no repeat of the awkward scene from earlier.

Just as Neville left the group, someone spotted him, eyes lighting up with recognition. The man strode over, full of enthusiasm.

"Mr. Connolly! I didn't expect to run into you here!"

Stella glanced over and immediately recognized one of Neville's business partners.

She excused herself. "Mr. Connolly, go ahead and handle your business. I need to get backstage and prepare."

Neville nodded lightly. "I'll come find you all in a bit. If anything comes up, call me."

"Will do."

the

the time-barely half an

their group was performing tonight, the corridor was quiet and almost eerily

nearby, she could faintly hear Marvin Connolly practicing his

of worry. Antoney Watson had seemed distracted lately, and she doubted it was all because

together-she'd always seen him as an older brother, someone far dearer to her than

thoughts, Stella rounded a corner and accidentally

She instinctively apologized. "Sorry."

person didn't say a

odd tension settled in the

something was off, Stella

of mixed heritage. His eyes were dark and deep-set, his nose straight and prominent.

Stella's pupils contracted sharply.

if

standing before her was Sherman Burton,

her

e her endlessly.

gaze hardened, growing

surprised