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.

be with a person who disgusted them, even for money? No matter how

about her

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

someone feel queasy. Who would willingly leave their own child behind and run, unless staying was

mouth which

crawl. The idea of spending a lifetime enduring this man was enough to make

and immediately strode over.

a

don't see what there's left to

shocked by how guarded she'd

What, do you think I'd

off, he turned sharply

isn't it? You said something to

caught in the crossfire, could only

the entire Burton family besides Mr.

with anger. "Karl, what on earth are you talking about? This has nothing to do with

it

her little finger, doing everything she can to get her hands on our family shares. Now

disbelief etched across her face. "We broke up because your old flame came back, remember? Maybe you should take a