The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Neville glanced at the couple not far away and chuckled softly. "I'll leave them to their own world—third-wheeling isn't my style. Besides, I've never ridden a carousel before. I want to see what it's like."

Catching his gaze, Stella replied calmly, "Rachel's health isn't great. Rides like the carousel aren't really an option for her-she gets dizzy easily."

"There was this one time we took Keen to the park. He insisted Rachel ride the carousel with him. She ended up passing out and had to be taken to the hospital. Keen's dad scolded him pretty harshly afterward."

Back then, Haynes had been tied up at work and hadn't come along. But the moment he heard Rachel had fainted, he dropped everything-even a meeting- and rushed to the hospital.

Stella herself had caught heat from Haynes that day, too.

His logic was simple: "Kids don't know any better, but adults should. Why would you let Rachel go on a ride like that?"

Stella remembered feeling both incredulous and wronged. Sure, Keen might not have understood Rachel's condition, but Rachel herself certainly did. If she couldn't handle the ride, why hadn't she spoken up?

concern. "Star, you've put up

I'm basically a ninja turtle.

humor drew a laugh from Neville, but his eyes grew more serious than usual

of guy who's fiercely protective of the people I care about. Especially my woman.

as if, in that moment, she was the only person

delayed by Rachel. By the time he arrived, this was the scene he found: Stella and Neville, sitting together in a pumpkin-shaped carriage, gazing at each other with unmistakable

Neville's eyes-an expression he'd often seen turned on him by women confessing their feelings. That

considered Stella to be just a pretty face. Now, watching Neville's

saw her value, who were

cold pang of panic twisted in his chest—a feeling he'd never experienced before. It

always believed that, without him, Stella would never find someone better. They had Keen between them,

she would eventual