The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Rachel never responded to any of the allegations Stella had made public.

Many assumed her silence was an admission of guilt.

Still, a handful of diehard fans clung to hope, insisting Rachel must have her reasons, or that some dramatic twist would set things right in the end.

But the truth was plain as day for everyone else.

With evidence this overwhelming, there was nothing left to defend.

After several days of relentless online condemnation, Rachel still hadn't uttered a word. The public's anger quickly shifted to Mr. Walden.

For plenty of people, it was actually Mr. Walden who'd first drawn them to Rachel.

And now, Rachel's reputation had collapsed so spectacularly, it was worse than any celebrity cheating scandal-she'd gone from star pupil to outright criminal in the eyes of the masses.

People began turning their rage on Mr. Walden. "Isn't Mr. Walden supposed to be a legendary musician, winner of the lifetime achievement award? How could he have chosen someone like Rachel to be his last protégé?"

"With character like that, she deserves to be called a musician?"

"Mr. Walden, are you losing your mind in your old age, or does Rachel have something on you?"

"A lifetime of wisdom, and Mr. Walden throws it away over Rachel. She's ruined his legacy all by herself."

you publicly supported a student with this kind of character-don't you owe

could never match Stella's talent, so what exactly made Mr. Walden favor

claimed he was a paragon of virtue. But just look at his last protégé, Harry-couldn't be more obnoxious, and still his favorite student. Any reasonable teacher

long after this wave of criticism for Mr. Walden to release a public statement,

the public wasn't

ét

was famous, you took her under your

she's in

lose? Is that

be à mentor?"

Mr. Walden had continued to stand by Rachel, I might have respected him. Now?

Walden said,

the debacles with Harry and now Rachel,

world plummeted overnight.

was too much

...

exposed Rachel, the first

She ignored the call.

regret meant

practicing, preparing for her upcoming recital and the international

gentle knock sounded on the practice room

inside. "Star, are