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.

entire piece up

widened all around the

Stella doing? She can't possibly be

thing

mean she's even

get ahead of yourselves. Maybe she just messed up and can't go back now —she has no choice but to keep pushing through. Just wait till the final climax. It's going

just the audience who thought so. Even

certain Stella would crash

few of his students,

able to finish the piece, but I have

and the others

Stella really

to be outshined again by our star

their conversation,

moment everyone expected her to break

effortless, smooth as silk. Not

fell

of eyes was fixed on Stella. The only sound was her violin, the tempo quickening, echoing

reached its peak-fierce,

over the audience in

with the music; even their breathing

with