The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Haynes froze for a moment, his whole body tensing as the truth hit him.

Even Keen could see it-Stella didn't want to be with him anymore.

She had moved on. Built a new life, one that didn't include him.

She would be better off without him.

Haynes sat there, lost in thought for so long that he didn't even notice the stage lights going out. Only then did he slowly come back to himself.

After all the ways he'd hurt Stella, it was only natural she didn't want to be with him.

But he wasn't ready to give up.

Their marriage had only happened because of the baby. They'd skipped courtship, skipped the ceremony-she'd missed out on all the beauty of falling in love. No wonder she'd lost faith in their marriage, in him. No wonder she didn't want to stay.

But he could win her back.

They'd been together for five years—no one knew Stella better than he did.

He was sure she didn't feel nothing for him.

Compared to Neville, he actually had the upper hand.

As for that mysterious Joshua...

secrets-he didn't even dare reveal his real name. Not worth worrying

...

in a shadowy corner

perfect view of the stage while keeping

that spot for him-at his request. He didn't want Haynes to

stage, he no longer bothered to hide the longing

murmured

years, he'd been watching over her

knew just how extraordinary his

dulled

been brushed away, and she sparkled like

light, Foreman would

knew he wasn't good enough for

as he could watch over

obstacle out of her path-he would

Burton, Neville, Marvin, and Joshua sat together in the very center of the

the

lights dimmed, the stream of women approaching Joshua for a chat finally came to an

couldn't help but

your number? I'm telling you, with that kind of luck, your future girlfriend's going to have her

was busy

and both

were preparing for their performances, leaving the three men and Marvin in

calmly at Neville's remark.