The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"If she really did that, it'd be going too far."

Because Stella was competing on home turf, most of the crowd was firmly in her

corner.

Of course, Harry had his own group of admirers, and they weren't shy about voicing their support for him.

The host's voice rang out again, commanding everyone's attention.

"Now, let's welcome our winner, Miss Stella, to say a few words."

Stella took the microphone, her smile calm and gracious. "Thank you to everyone who's supported me. I'm sure you all know about the wager between Mr. Harry and myself. If I lost, I promised to retire from the stage-never to touch a violin again. If Mr. Harry lost, he agreed to apologize to my mother, Nora, and my mentor, Anthony—and get down on his knees and bark like a dog."

Her words sent a ripple through the audience.

Most people had been caught up in the drama of the wager, but now, as they took in the details, the implications became clear.

"Wait-Stella's making Harry apologize to her mother and mentor? Does that mean Harry insulted her mother?"

"With his personality? Wouldn't put it past him."

"Wasn't Stella's mom, Nora, the one who passed away? That's just reprehensible -insulting someone's late mother!"

apologize! Make him

Make him bark like

for drama, began

shifted to Harry, who glared at her with a dark,

figure in the

her words, a flicker of relief passed over Harry's face, and a trace of his

it-Stella wouldn't dare cross him. Even if he

then Stella's tone shifted, her eyes

bet

to give Mr.

another option."

didn't he? If be's willing to step back from the stage himself-never play the violin again-then the apology and barking can

didn't even have time to smirk; his expression froze

Quit? No way.

to the top-he hadn't come this far just to walk away

the crowd. "What do you all think of that

erupted, voices clashing in a chaotic

him apologize

person would only stifle young talent-let him

Harry choose—what's more important,

as the reality sank

what it meant to