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?

"Star, you've put up with a lot,

smile. "Looking back, I'm

grew more serious than usual as he

kind of guy who's fiercely protective of the people I care about. Especially my woman. I can't stand seeing the people

on her, as if, in that

the time he arrived, this was the scene he found: Stella and Neville, sitting together in a pumpkin-shaped carriage, gazing at each

and fondness in Neville's eyes-an expression he'd often seen turned on him by women confessing their

pretty face. Now, watching Neville's captivated

who saw her value, who were drawn to

in his chest—a feeling he'd never experienced before. It was as if something precious to

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

she would