The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"No, please! Stella's so talented and elegant-if she can never play the violin again, what a tragedy that would be!"

"Please, let's hope she doesn't draw one of Harry's pieces. Fingers crossed!"

The internet was ablaze with speculation as the host reached into the lottery box. He unfolded the slip of paper.

The moment he saw the chosen piece, the color drained from his face.

It was *The Gaze*.

*The Gaze* was even harder than *Echoes of the Wind*-and it was notorious for being the most vicious of the so-called "Devil's Trilogy."

Of all the possibilities, they hadn't drawn one of Stella's own compositions, but instead ended up with the most impossible challenge.

This was bad. For Stella, this was real danger.

If he could, the host would have torn up the slip and drawn again. But with so many eyes on him, there was nothing he could do but unfold the paper with a look of defeat.

Harry will be

auditorium erupted into chaos, the noise rivaling

felt a pang of pity for the prodigy-a woman with both

Warrior. Another

glanced at the host, then turned to

either of your originals. I

second humiliation, you can forfeit now. No one would blame you for losing to me. Don't worry-I won't make you beg on your

barely glanced at him. Ignoring his taunts, she addressed the host. "If Mr. Harry wants

her storage case and took out the Nocturne

brought

she almost

own

used the

strings—and a gentle melody drifted

Antoney entered and paused, surprised to see her

say something, but in the end said