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.

piece up a key-and

widened all around the

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

one could play the whole thing a key higher-not even Harry, and

doesn't that mean she's even better than Harry?

yourselves. Maybe she just messed up and can't go back now —she has no

thought so. Even

Stella would crash

his students, critiquing Stella's

be able to finish the piece, but I have to say, her handling of

and the others

Stella really does

about to be outshined again by our star

kept up their conversation, half-listening

the moment everyone expected her to break down-to reach her

as silk. Not a hint of struggle in

fell utterly

was fixed on Stella. The only sound was her violin, the

had reached its peak-fierce,

over the audience in

emotions surged in sync with the music; even their breathing

rhythm with the