The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

*

Simone asked, "But what if she's better than you?"

Aurora smiled, a glint of challenge in her eyes. "Well, if we never compete, how would we ever know?"

Simone couldn't help but glance in Stella's direction.

Aurora was never one to feign modesty or exaggerate another's abilities just to appear humble. If she was willing to make such a comparison, it meant Stella's skill wasn't far off from hers at all.

"Stella's mother was a renowned violinist," Simone added thoughtfully. "It's no wonder Stella's so talented-she's got the pedigree."

At the mention of Stella's mother, Aurora's smile faded a little.

Her father and three older brothers had always kept the truth about her mother's death from her. But a few years ago, her uncle had found her and given her a letter that her mother had left behind.

The memory made Aurora's throat tighten, her chest heavy with longing. She had never met her mother, yet she knew her mother had given up so much for her.

Her mother had traded her very life for Aurora's future.

She couldn't let her down. She wouldn't.

Across the room, Rachel's eyes went wide as she watched Joshua fussing over Stella-pouring her tea, making sure she was comfortable, speaking to her with quiet concern.

She rubbed her eyes, certain she was seeing things.

The same man who was infamous for

Haynes and Foreman were both distracted, their attention fixed firmly

pressed his lips into a thin line, a cold aura radiating off

his sides, a

Joshua, it wouldn't be difficult. The trick would be doing it

something sly crossing his face as

a plan formed in

*

moments earlier,

dark clouds rolled in, and the rain began

to the

all the people who came today, there were only

Keen and Foreman

then slipped

Stella scanned the crowd, her brow

to Haynes. "Haynes,

the day, work still hounded him -his phone hadn't stopped ringing. He ended

was missing, and his

looked to Rachel. "Where's

no

her anger. "Haynes, Keen

the one watching him,