The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"Maybe it's just some overblown misunderstanding-someone thinking they saw the wrong person or something dramatic like that? But honestly, none of that matters. As long as they have an agenda, they'll slip up sooner or later.

Whoever loses their patience first is the loser. All we have to do is wait."

When Rachel returned to the field, she saw Joshua already challenging Keen to a horseback riding contest.

Joshua's skill with horses-and archery, too—was in a league far beyond Simone's.

Keen was absolutely enthralled. His adoration for Joshua was written all over his face, impossible to miss.

Watching this, Rachel felt a flicker of alarm in her chest.

She'd spent so much time and effort winning Keen over, slowly getting him to like her. Yet Joshua, after meeting Keen only a few times, had completely won the boy's admiration in record time.

And then there was the matter of Joshua deliberately sending her over to greet Aurora earlier. What had that been about? Was he suspicious of something, or was it just a casual gesture?

With Joshua, Rachel knew better than to rely on luck. She wanted to ask him directly, but he kept busy with Keen all afternoon, never giving her a chance to approach.

Rachel grew restless, so unsettled that she couldn't even bring herself to bother with Haynes as usual.

Haynes, she could always pester him later. But without Joshua's support, she'd be cutting off her own arm-no, both arms.

real and tangible. Without him, there's

flirt with Haynes. Instead, Rachel seemed laser-focused on getting closer to

Rachel

was glued to Joshua. As for her

never quite accepting or rejecting

of this and his gaze darkened

never figured out how to get Joshua away from Stella. But now, watching Rachel's

always clung to him, which

was clearly up to

Stella.

why not... pair them

moment the

his mind, Haynes rejected

would be

if Rachel

He couldn't

solve his own problems.

Rachel needed someone to look after her, Jasper would be the

obsessing over him. Noticing Haynes lost in thought,