The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Joshua handed the bouquet of baby's breath to Stella.

"Congratulations on your victory, Ms. Cameron."

Stella looked at the flowers in his hands. Baby's breath-her favorite. Abby must have told him, she thought.

She accepted the bouquet with a warm smile. "Thank you."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed down the hall. When Haynes stepped out, the first thing he saw was Stella, beaming as she took the flowers from Joshua. The joy on her face—so bright and genuine-was nothing like the cool indifference she always reserved for him.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Joshua glanced in Haynes's direction. His eyes fell on the roses in Haynes's hand.

Raising an eyebrow, Joshua said, "Mr. O'Brien, are you here to give Ms. Cameron flowers?"

Haynes's expression was distant and cold. "That's none of your business."

flowers, you should at least pick the kind she actually

She was fussing with the bouquet, her affection for the delicate blossoms obvious. There was nothing fake

shadow crossed his eyes, and his voice turned rough. "Star,

a glance, Stella looked up

case. "Of course. Ms. Murphy has already booked a table

nodded and started

to follow, but Joshua smoothly stepped

day for Ms. Cameron. I'd

in Haynes's eyes. "So if I join them, I ruin the mood, but if you go, it's

Cameron for five years, and you still don't know her favorite flower. You're her ex-husband now, but no one likes to be reminded of how little they mattered. If you insist on joining us and end up doing something else she dislikes... well, wouldn't that just make

gaze. "Wouldn't

froze, his feet

word, Joshua turned and walked

stood there, watching as Stella's figure faded into the distance. A heavy ache

him. "Ms. Cameron's already left.