The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Rachel walked over with a bright smile. "Haynie, what brings you here today? Are

you here with Keen for target practice too?"

Haynes responded with a curt, indifferent nod, clearly in no mood for

conversation.

As Rachel drew closer, she seemed to only then notice Stella standing nearby. Her voice softened as she greeted her.

"Ms. Cameron."

Without hesitation, she settled herself right next to Haynes.

Rachel didn't seem the least bit bothered by Haynes's coldness; she jumped right

into chattering about anything and everything.

At first, Haynes managed a word or two in reply.

But as time went on, his expression grew colder, and he barely bothered to respond at all.

pretending not to

play the violin for you. Every time we met, you'd ask me to perform, and I'd joke you were my

completely missed the point at first. If it hadn't been for that time when a few guys started

on,

Haynes would've listened without much thought,

he only felt a

glanced at Stella, almost unconsciously. To

not showing the slightest sign of annoyance or impatience-in fact, she seemed

lips pressed

take it anymore and cut Rachel

was cool, almost icy. "The

for a moment. "Haynie, I didn't

just think those were the happiest, simplest

as she said this, Rachel was dying to share every last detail of her romance with Haynes. She wasn't just trying to

right

and Haynes or Jasper, or any of their old friends-talked about the old days, Stella always felt like an outsider,

of that loneliness. If anything, she found the whole thing

Rachel finally fell silent, it was Stella who spoke up, her voice gentle but unmistakably