The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Aurora's expression remained calm. "If Sellers decided not to tell, he must have

his reasons. If I remind Karl, wouldn't that just make Sellers resent me?"

Simone considered this and realized Aurora had a point.

For a moment, she couldn't help but admire Aurora.

"Aurora, with your poise and strategy, even Jonathan might not be your match. It's

almost a shame you weren't born a man in this world."

Aurora just smiled, as if something else had crossed her mind. She turned to

Simone. "That earring I gave you- have you had it customized yet?"

Simone nodded. "I've already sent someone to take care of it. But... are you sure

this is safe?"

Aurora's eyes darkened for a moment, deep and unreadable.

"I'm not sure why he's so fixated on my earring, but maybe he's seen one just like

it before and is looking for its owner."

Simone remembered the earring Aurora had handed her. "Didn't you say your

earrings were custom-made-only you and Stella have them? So maybe..."

Simone frowned slightly. "Maybe the person he's searching for is Stella."

Aurora replied, "That's very likely. But he's been with Stella for ages, and he's still

asking me about the earring. That means either he and Stella haven't recognized

each other, or the person he's looking for isn't her."

She paused, then continued, "Either way, this is an opportunity for you. Better to

try and get nothing than to miss a chance altogether."

Simone looked at Aurora. "But... what if-just what if- the person he's looking for

is you?"

laughed softly. "Even better. Then you'd have

you'd be safe."

stared at her for a

to

person he's looking for really is Stella,

figured it

Is it

how could he blame

identical?"

laugh. "Aurora, only you could make it sound so

the bold. If you're always afraid to

anything. Every investment carries some risk.

whether it's worth it."

of tea, then added, "I can't make this decision for you. It's

you."

growing ever more curious about

made

right. This is such a minor risk-it's

hesitated, then asked, "So, do you

for is Stella?"

"There's a

chance. Those earrings were

by our

Stella

once before

left the

anything with

was left

Dad hoped

come back someday."

flown back to Solmaris and found the

earring in Stella's room.

not even

regional competition had wrapped up

Rachel was runner-up, and the third spot went to a

violinist.

three of them would represent

months from now.

meantime, Stella was to

soared so high that tickets sold out almost

clamoring for her to add

they decided to schedule