The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

The next morning, Haynes was once again waiting outside Stella's apartment.

Last night, he'd already confirmed with Keen that Stella was taking her to the sports club today to practice shooting.

She wouldn't bring Marvin just the two of them.

Haynes, hoping for a chance to reconcile, wasn't about to let this golden opportunity slip by.

He'd stayed up late finishing his work, so he could arrive at her place extra early.

He hadn't told Keen about his plans.

Keen was too young to keep a secret; Haynes didn't want her to accidentally mention something and prompt Stella to change her mind.

Not long after, the apartment doors swung open and two figures—one tall, one small-stepped out.

It was Stella and Keen.

Relief softened Haynes's tense expression. He was just about to approach them when a third figure appeared in the doorway-a man, tall and composed, following close behind.

Haynes froze in place.

Stella and Keen didn't even notice him.

Keen glanced back and called, "Mr. Joshua, do you really know how to shoot?"

The man laughed. "Shooting and darts aren't so different. I've been practicing these past few days—shouldn't be a problem."

for a while now, brightened. "Then I want

a great impression of

at the club, Mr. Joshua was the one who found his mom's

Joshua had even given him his

disliked Marvin and, by extension, wasn't

hadn't spent much time with Joshua, but he really liked

have a competition. But...

don't want any grown-ups letting me

Joshua. "Thank you for helping

delicious

bag in his

and run-wouldn't feel right not to

got to stay at Stella's place for a few days, so she insisted on cooking instead of

had woken up early to prepare a

for Abby, so Stella invited him to join them and made extra

Stella said nothing more.

spot

in surprise. "Dad?

face was clouded and

You spend one night at your

to acknowledge

to speak, but Joshua

O'Brien, no matter how upset you are, it's not right to take it out on your