The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

She and Karl had been together for so long, their lives had tangled up with the same group of friends.

It was through these friends that she heard all about Karl and that so-called "first love."

They told her that Karl cared most about her, that he barely spared a kind word for that other woman. They urged her to go back to him.

After all, it was Candida who'd stood by his side during his darkest days, tending

to him, supporting him. Now, just as she was about to finally "reap the rewards," why should she let someone else swoop in and take it all away?

Their arguments made sense.

But Candida didn't want to go back.

It wasn't pride, or some lofty refusal to accept a comfortable life. If not for Karl's accident, with her background, the Burtons never would have let her into their family in the first place.

She'd even considered turning a blind eye to Karl's affairs and just focusing on building her own wealth. Maybe that was enough.

But she couldn't do it.

The very thought of it made her sick-physically ill.

even for money? No

spending so much time around Stella, Candida had learned a bit about her story too. She could understand why Stella's mother, Nora, had left

because she was weak, or because she was foolishly in love. She'd

of it could make someone feel queasy. Who would willingly leave their

the same mouth which

of spending a lifetime enduring this

spotted her and immediately strode over.

a few steps, her

what there's left

at her, shocked by how

what's that look for? What,

as if a lightbulb went off, he turned sharply to

said

caught in the crossfire, could only

decent in the entire Burton family besides

what on earth are you talking about?

it

family shares.

you should take a book in the mirror before blaming innocent people. Karl, do you even know what it means to be a