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.

oblivious or pretending not to notice, began reminiscing about

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

completely missed the point at first. If it hadn't been for that

and on, her voice

the old days, Haynes would've listened without much thought, maybe even joined

now, he only felt a growing

unconsciously. To his surprise, she

the slightest sign of annoyance or impatience-in

his lips pressed into

last, he couldn't take it anymore and cut Rachel

was cool, almost icy. "The past is in the past.

moment. "Haynie, I didn't mean anything by

were

was dying to share every last detail of her romance with Haynes. She wasn't just trying to stir up old memories

right through Rachel's

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

she found the whole

Stella who spoke up, her voice gentle