The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Anyone who could pull off "The Gaze❞ on stage was already in a league far above Rachel.

He'd honestly believed he'd lost out on a rare, gifted talent.

Clearly, he'd been overthinking it.

Down in the audience, those who knew the scene shook their heads in regret.

"Her performance was flawless right up until that slip. For a moment, I thought we were witnessing a miracle—maybe Stella could actually go toe-to-toe with Harry..."

"I felt the same way. It's such a shame, though, that it had to fall apart here."

"Still, Stella has nothing to be ashamed of. She may have lost, but she lost with honor."

"It's just such a pity that this is her swan song. I'll remember her, though."

Despite Stella's mistake, the show had to go on.

Everyone in the hall assumed the rest would be a disaster-surely she'd fall apart after that error.

But to everyone's astonishment, Stella didn't stumble. Instead, picking up right where she'd left off, she continued to play-except now, every note soared higher, the entire melody lifted up by a key.

There were no discordant notes. No faltering rhythm.

shifted the entire piece up a key-and kept

widened all around

my god, what is Stella doing? She can't possibly be planning to finish the

No one could play the whole thing a key higher-not even

she actually pulls this off, doesn't that mean she's even better than Harry?

has no choice but to keep pushing through. Just wait

thought so. Even Walden

certain Stella would crash

with a few of his students, critiquing Stella's performance with a casual

finish the piece, but I have to say, her handling of this section is

the others

really

outshined again by our star pupil. Another prodigy

up their conversation, half-listening as Stella played

came the moment everyone expected her to break down-to reach her limit, stumble,

smooth as silk. Not a hint of struggle in her

room fell utterly

sound was her violin,

had reached its peak-fierce,

audience in waves,

their breathing and pounding hearts seemed to fall

with the