The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

They'd come to this amusement park because Stella had told Rachel about it.

The fact that she'd dared to tell Rachel meant she clearly wasn't worried about her meddling. Or perhaps, she was more than prepared for whatever Rachel might do.

Stella offered a faint smile, neither confirming nor denying anything.

She said lightly, "Honestly, they shouldn't have come with us in the first place. It's probably for the best that they're leaving."

It was clear Stella had orchestrated things this way. She knew Rachel would find a way to cause a scene-so be it. If Haynes had insisted on tagging along, then he could leave the same way.

Neville wasn't sure if "they" included Keen, but he didn't press the issue.

Instead, he asked, "So, do you still want to ride the pirate ship, or would you rather try something else?"

Stella glanced around, then turned to Marvin. "Marvin, do you want to try the bumper cars?"

Marvin, now that the annoying Mr. O'Brien and his son were about to leave, beamed with delight. "Yes! I want to!"

took Marvin's hand. "Alright, let's go,

head off when Keen,

called out, "Mom, where

"Rachel needs to go to the

with his mom. After all the waiting and hoping to have a day out together, was it really going

when he'd been in the hospital, Rachel had never stayed the night or taken care of him. She'd only stopped by during the day, always leaving early,

mother who cared for

had to choose, being with his mom was far more important than accompanying Rachel to

that thought, Keen made

was about to scoop Rachel into his arms, and said, "Dad, you go with Rachel to the hospital. I want to

He glanced

wouldn't that mean leaving Stella and Neville alone together? Even

Vel

was still a child and couldn't understand the complicated games adults played. Marvin, though younger, was far more cunning Judging by how familiar Stella and Neville were, Marvin had probably helped them spend

thinking for a moment, Haynes settled on a compromise. "Alright,

Rachel gets into the ambulance